photoshop cc 2019 edit transform distort appears locked. What have you guys done?

[matthewmall]

in photoshop cc 2018 for mac, I select  all, go to edit - transform - distort and i can freely manipulate the file. trying to do the same in CC2019 and it appears locked?? WTF! Anyone have any suggestions?

[philipcastleton]

Same experience with me, since the latest PS CC 2019 update I cannot use the Transform > Distort tool, there is no control, it judders around. Help Adobe - I need to use it for my work!! Thanks.

[innovative_ninja1674 · Accepted solution]

I have found that the distortion tool can be used in the CC2019 version by holding down the Shift key. Although, this is awkward and often the corner I'm dragging shoots way off the page and is lost up, or down my screen, if I forget to also use the Shift key.

I still have version CC2018 and I use it because it is so much easier.

[philipcastleton]

Using the Shift key fixes it, I do not find it awkward. Thanks man!

[philipcastleton]

We shouldn't have to figure out a workaround to use Transform > Distort. Adobe, can you fix this in a future update? While using Transform > Distort, I like to hide the alignment boxes for greater accuracy, but if I have to hold Shift, the Command > H will not work.

[innovative_ninja1674]

One other thing that drives me crazy in CC2019. When working on an image I often need to align vertical and horizontal features in my photos. So, I bring in Guides from the Rulers to see if a line is perfectly straight. Then, I will Use >Select All >Edit >Distort, then drag the corner of an image,  I might then bring in another Guide to see if I have dragged the correct amount (because dragging moves the whole image away from the original Guide). With CC2019 you cannot simply bring in a new Guide. Moving the cursor over to pick up a Guide immediately Commits the action.

This just doubles and lengthens the workflow.