Problem with moving/resizing selection with a mask

[Sammi5C24]

I've spent a lot of time looking for an answer to this. I often have a layer that has a mask and after masking need to move a selection or use Transform to resize parts of the layer. I thought that if the chain icon between the image and the mask was showing, if I selected part of the image and moved/resized it, that the image and mask components would both move together. If I resize, I want the mask to resize at the same time or I have to do it. Why does the mask act like a separate entity, even when it is linked to the image? The behaviour doesn't change whether the link is showing or not. Can I resize (Transform > Scale) both components? Can I select a masked selection and move image and mask components? Thanks.

[JJMack]

Select select the layers content if the layers content is the current target.  If the layer mask is the current target the selection is part of the layer mask. The link icon indicate the full layer and layer mask are linked if you transform either the other will also be transformed scaled, rotated, moved distorted whatever .  You can work on the layers content and you can work on the mask content independent with or without a selected. Selection are useful for protection.  Only the selected area cans be changed.  If you move the selection you leave a hole in the layers  content. in a mask the vacated ares would be filled with black.,

[jackal242]

This no longer work.  If you select the link icon for the mask and try to resize them, it only resizes one. 

It's bugged.

The only way to do it is to convert to a smart object. 

[Bojan Živković]

I am testing Photoshop 24.1.1 on Windows and everything works fine, as expected. When link between layer and layer mask is present (visible), selecting and transforming mask or layer will transform both: layer and layer mask.

[PECourtejoie]

Hi, @jackal242 Are you on 24.1.1? Can you post a screenshot with the layers panel visible?

[jackal242 · Accepted solution]

I'm on 21.2 on Mac, and yes it is bugged and like the Original Poster said, even with the link icon connecting the image with the selection layer, they do NOT resize together.  100% bugged.

But I read down in the comment and saw the comment that if you DESELECT everything on the layer and just go straight to transform - suddenly they move and resize together as the LINK icon implies.

So the bug is, you can not have a selection for this to work.

[Bojan Živković]

Which version of Photoshop? Can you post some screenshot or even short video to demonstrate problem?

[carl23108016s37r]

I attached a video to demonstrate the problem. Let me know what you think?

[Sammi5C24]

Thank you. I've found that if I don't select anything and resize the scale using Transform, the mask/image moves together. However, if I select anything in the image and move it or select all and then Transform the scale, the mask/image separate (see screenshot) and it makes no difference whether the mask or the image is selected in the layers pane.

[carl23108016s37r]

I'm having the same problem. Never seen this happen before in all my years of photoshop.

Layers is linked with the layer mask. When I select a portion and resize, it doesn't resize the layer mask with it.

I have no idea what to do with this. 

Please help!

[Bojan Živković]

That is how things work, nothing strange there. 

[carl23108016s37r]

I don't understand what you mean?

The layer and the layer mask should transform together when they are linked.

But in this case they are linked and they are transforming seperately. 

Do you have any information on how to fix it?

So the layer and the mask layer are linked and transform together?

Thank you 

[trippyspartan]

Hey! I hope you've found the solution already. But if you haven't yet, in this screenshot the issue is instead of the image layer, you've selected the mask. The mask is linked to the layer, but I don't think the vice-versa is true. So you need to click on image thumbnail first and then move it so both image and mask move together.

[chaosphere656]

Hi guys !

I had exactly the same problem and lost lot of time finding out what was the issue.

Just check the option "Show Transform Control" and voilà ! Both Image and Layer Mask will be transformed. In French, it's called "options de tranformation".

Mine was unchecked that's why I couldn't resize (even if linked together) both image and mask !

Hope it'll help !

Matias

[chaosphere656]

Again same problem even with my "solution" checked... Tested on PS 2023/2024 and Beta, same issue !!

[mastix]

Same problem here. I also had never this problem before.

When I try to distort an image (layer with mask) the mask does not follow the transform even if I have the chain activated. 

I found out it might be some bug because when I save the image with the mask and open it again it works as it should and the mask follows along the layer.

[LeGill]

I'm having the same issues... I've been using Adobe Photoshop professionally since the 1990s... Since this last upgrade to Photoshop 2021 — started having this issue that the mask (linked) with the layer moves separately! Upgrades are really sickening. Listen here, the people at Adobe: If it ain't broken don't fix it, please! Really annoying and frustrating when you have urgent work to rush! 
For a better solution: I just use the older version of Photoshop!

[anders_hattne]

Seriously?! They have not fixed this in 3 years?!