How to set Free Transform default reference point to top left?

[erik24746247ndtm]

Whenever I insert a picture as a new layer a, I want to position it by using the top left point as reference point (e.g. 100 pixels from top / left on X/Y axis). But whenever I hit Ctrl-T, the default reference point  is Center. What can I do to make the default Top Left instead of Center? 

[Stephen Marsh · Accepted solution]

You can record an action with the modal control on (see screenshot) for an interactive transform and use an F-Key action shortcut. 

A script can also do the same with the choice of a custom keyboard shortcut.

transformLayer(0, 0);

function transformLayer(horizontal, vertical) {
	var s2t = function (s) {
		return app.stringIDToTypeID(s);
	};
	var descriptor = new ActionDescriptor();
	var reference = new ActionReference();
	reference.putEnumerated( s2t( "layer" ), s2t( "ordinal" ), s2t( "targetEnum" ));
	descriptor.putReference( s2t( "null" ), reference );
	descriptor.putEnumerated( s2t( "freeTransformCenterState" ), s2t( "quadCenterState" ), s2t( "QCSCorner0" )); // upper left
	descriptor.putUnitDouble( s2t( "horizontal" ), s2t( "pixelsUnit" ), horizontal );
	descriptor.putUnitDouble( s2t( "vertical" ), s2t( "pixelsUnit" ), vertical );
	descriptor.putObject( s2t( "offset" ), s2t( "offset" ), descriptor );
	descriptor.putEnumerated( s2t( "interfaceIconFrameDimmed" ), s2t( "interpolationType" ), s2t( "bicubicSmoother" ));
	executeAction( s2t( "transform" ), descriptor, DialogModes.ALL );
}

[erik24746247ndtm]

This looks complicated with all the machine language... but I do not want an action that always sets a layer at a specific point, I just want the Ctrl-T options to use top-left by default instead of center.

[Stephen Marsh]

Well, that is what the interactive modal control action or script do. Have you actually tried them? Just record the transform with no X/Y change (0 - a zero value) and no change in % width/height (a 100% value). I am not aware of any other way to "default" the transform anchor point.

More on saving/installing JavaScript code here, it is not as complex as you may think:

https://prepression.blogspot.com/2017/11/downloading-and-installing-adobe-scripts.html

[erik24746247ndtm]

Okay, I will look into it, thanks

[erik24746247ndtm]

I must have done something wrong. I copied the whole text into Notepad, saved it as .txt, changed the extension to .jsx (had to look up how to change extetnsions...) and installed in the correct folder. Then restarted Photoshop but now when I hit Ctrl-T on a layer it still defaults to center, not top left. .Do I need to do anything to make the script work? Do I have to hit 'execute script' somewhere instead of hitting Ctrl-T, maybe? 

[erik24746247ndtm]

Edit: ignore previous reply, I now found File > Scrips (but I can't seem to delete or edit my own replies on here...)

[Stephen Marsh]

Once installed in the program's Presets/Scripts folder as per the instructions in my previous link, you can assign a custom keyboard shortcut to the script.

[erik24746247ndtm]

Yes it works now, I also found out how to assign shortcuts, thanks.

[Triết27794947xxsh]

Hello, i very like your solution, but if i want my reference point not reset it location every time i comfirm transform, how do i script it ? can it possible?

[Lumigraphics]

Doesn't look like the default can be changed. This can be set by script when you do a transform but must be set every time.

[Triết27794947xxsh]

Omg, i know how to do it by using action feature actually, but it require me make a new action every time i change location of reference point. That make me wonder if some kind of script or addon can help me with that. But if script need to set every time then it cant help me. Thank you

[Lumigraphics]

Reference point is not a saved setting, its an input to transform. Just like -10 pixels would be an input.