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krinkly2009
Known Participant
July 22, 2018
Answered

Auto-align One Layer to Match a Fixed Layer?

  • July 22, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 5128 views

I've been trying to figure out how to do this for years.

I have one layer that's perfect. I want to bring in another layer and align it to the first layer -- but I don't want that first layer to be altered at all. I just want the new layer to auto-align to the existing layer.

I cannot figure out a way to do this, and I've searched and googled and come up empty handed.

Can this be done?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer davescm

    Hi

    Are you sure? When I try it here the canvas is extended to accommodate the new layer but the locked layer is not distorted.  The crop tool can then be used immediately after align to crop back down to the original image size based on the untouched layer.

    Dave

    3 replies

    AdamB82
    AdamB82
    Participating Frequently
    December 13, 2021

    We really need a new and working version of auto align!  Auto align is currently broken and has been for years.  Why is adobe letting all these 3rd party apps beat them at something so major?  We should really be able to auto align most images now perfectly, including handheld.  Photoshop can't even auto align 2 photos when you are basicly perfectly stable.  It currently does a terrible job and I know it could be improved with a little attention.  

    K
    krinkly2009Author
    Known Participant
    July 23, 2018

    Thanks Barbara and Dave -- you were right all along.

    I'd tried locking the layer, but as I mentioned earlier, because Photoshop expanded the canvas, I assumed it was altering the size and shape of the locked layer (also because Auto-align unlocked that layer).

    But once I crop down to the original size of the locked layer, I see that it remains unchanged.

    Thanks again. I can finally use Auto-align the way I want!

      barbara_a7746676
      barbara_a7746676
      Community Expert
      July 22, 2018

      Have you tried locking the layer that you don't want to move?

      K
      krinkly2009Author
      Known Participant
      July 22, 2018

      Many times, and it has no effect. The locked layer is still resized during an Auto-align action. Hence my puzzlement.

      D Fosse
      D Fosse
      Community Expert
      May 31, 2021

      How can you get the image back to the original size after the canvas has been expanded?  I have a long series I am attemptin gto align and want to be able to do them in sections aligned to the original image. Having to manually crop it back to the original size makes that impossible.


      Just control-click the original layer and Image > Crop.

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