Bounding Box Problem After Transform

[Cerezine]

This problem has been bothering me for the past few years.

When I use the Transform Tool to move one of the corners of a layer outside the canvas, the next time I try to use the Transform Tool on that same layer, the bounding box won't be aligned exactly with the distortions I made. It shows as if I have selected an entire layer outside the canvas, rather than the distorted layer that I worked on.

If I remember correctly, this problem started when they changed the functionality of the Transform Tool in 2017 (and everyone was upset because they ruined a tool that worked perfectly), and a few versions later, they gave us the option to use the 'Legacy Transform Tool,' but it’s not exactly the same as the version from 2016 and earlier.

note: i'm using the 25.9.1 version on a m1 MBP with "Legacy Free Transform" checked on pref. The "standard" Free Transform also have this problem.

Attached Image for better understanding. The red square shows where the corners of the layer actually are.

[c.pfaffenbichler · Accepted solution]

The sketched outline is almost certainly wrong or some Selection is involved. 

Can you provide the file or at least post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible? 

If you expect the repeated Transformation Bounds to align with the distorted sides you would need to work with Smart Objects. 

[Cerezine]

Thank you! Using Smart Objects solved the problem with the bounds. The only downside is when converting Layers to Smart Objects, large files with many effects become even heavier. 

Besides that, there was no selection on the layer. I just rotated the layer outside the canvas.