P: Free Transform - ability to set Maintain Aspect Ratio as default

Since you have a CS background, you know the difference between implementation semantics and usability. That is, you can build something a number of difference ways, all of which provide the same functionality. But, some implementations are inherently more user-friendly than others.

By the same token, highlighting additional steps to access a feature is an argument based on pure semantic equivalence and ignores usability. The request in this thread is to eliminate these additional steps. Adding a global preference would significantly improve usability, especially for those of us that are asking for it.

Also, given that the cost of implementation should be minimal, there's really no good argument against this.

If you are dragging, then you can use the shift key to maintain the aspect ratio. The button is mostly needed when entering the transform sizes numerically.

And many transformation do not preserve the aspect ratio of the original object.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE fix this! I too have to click this dang box EVERY time I transform an object, which is many, many times a day. When does an object NOT get transformed in Photoshop and WHEN would we NOT want it to have the aspect ratio maintained?! I would have paid an upgrade price just for this ONE improvement. You could save us more time than a faster program with this fix. Please make it a priority for an update!

When I use the tranform controls to resize an element is there any way to say always resize with the same aspect ratio as the original other than holding down the shift key? The vast majority of the time I simply want my element to be simply resized, not distorted.

PS CS6, make it possible to choose constrain proportions when using the move tool to resize selections or layers, like it is in PSE. Have asked in this thread:

http://forums.adobe.com/message/44966...

Sadly Adobe seem more interested in adding things like tree, flame and frame filters than adding simple workflow quick wins these days

Totally agree... having this would make life abundantly easier.

This should also be a very simple feature add: We're talking just a check-box in Preferences -> Interface that says "Keep aspect ratio by default for free transforms", set an internal variable to reflect this value and include this when saving/loading the preferences. Then, do a simple check when you enter free transform pseudo-code: if user-preference-set-for-aspect-ratio-freeze then activate-link-button. Total lines of code should be less than 10.

Sometimes, it's the small enhancements that really can make a big difference.

Seriously Adobe, your users are asking for this feature for 10 years... http://www.webmaster-talk.com/general...

We have to click this little button EACH TIMES we wants to resize something with fixed dimensions.

The OP referred to a »Numeric Free Transform«, what good is the shift-key there?

I guess adobe had to pick one of the modes as a default, but you can always hold the shift key down to constrain the proportions.