Bring Back Mask-Based Transform Controls for Smart Objects

[wiz@rd0]

In Photoshop 25.5+, the transform controls on smart object layers no longer respect the layer mask's bounds. Instead, the transform handles default to the entire smart object, even when a mask is active.

This is a major disruption to workflows that rely on quickly resizing or adjusting masked areas without affecting the full layer.

Previously, selecting a layer mask allowed for tight, accurate transforms around the masked content. Now it requires cumbersome workarounds like rasterizing layers, manually loading mask selections, or using additional transform steps.

Please consider either:

• Restoring the old behavior when a layer mask is selected.

• Adding a Preference toggle that allows users to choose between "Transform by Mask Bounds" or "Transform by Full Smart Object Bounds."

This change slows down professional workflows and makes mask-based smart object editing less intuitive.

To the powers that be, PLEASE take this into consideration, thank you!

[wiz@rd0]

Sorry, this isn't about generative fill but I did not see a way to change the topic. This is about smart object layer masking transform controls.

[Sami_PA]

Completely agree. I feel like illustrator just did similar changes and it's doing my head in.

[Sami_PA]

Hold that, I may be thinking of something else. Tried to delete my comment but couldn't. 

[CMass]

Hi wiz@rd0, 

Welcome to the Photoshop community! Could you share a bit more about what you're seeing? A quick video of your workflow would really help the team understand what you're asking for. Please also let us know what version of Photoshop you're currently using. 🙂 Thank you!

^CM

[BrettN]

I don't believe we've made any changes recently in this part of Photoshop that would result in a difference in behavior such as you are describing. Comparing PS2019 to PS2025, I don't see anything which isn't the same in this area. 

That being said, the long running normal behavior is that layers and their masks are linked, changes made to one affect the other. If you want to just transform the mask, you first need to disable the link (click the chainlink icon between the layer and mask thumbnail in the Layers panel). Then the transform controls will be just around the mask area (as long as the mask is selected)

[wiz@rd0]

It says I do not have permission to upload video. Here is a GIF. I should clarify, this happens not only with smart objects but when you are using layer masks in general (smart object or raster layer). Note how the transform control box is not around the masked shape bounding box like it used to be... It is now only transformable around the image's original bounding box. I want to transform from where the mask shape has been drawn but it's no longer possible. This is very frustrating and disruptive of legacy workflows.

[wiz@rd0]

Please see this thread for reference of the issue.

Here is the cumbersome workaround for something that was once possible courtesy of @Stephen Marsh.

[wiz@rd0]

@CMass @BrettN please see above 2 comments for reference

[Stephen Marsh]

Also here:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-ideas/bring-back-mask-based-transform-controls-fo...

[davescm]

I've just tried several older versions and all work the same way as you show in your GIF.

If you want to transform only the mask, then unlink it in the layers panel, then the bounding box then matches the mask. Again that is the same in all the versions I tried.

Dave

[BrettN]

Thanks for the link, sounds like you are trying to do something other than my initial understanding. But what is described in that post is not something that has changed recently in Photoshop. As far as I can remember, PS has never worked in the way described (I tried as far back as PS 2019 and don't see any differnce in behavior). Perhaps, as suggested in the other post, this was experienced using Illustrator or some other application. Or, if you install an older version and are able to reproduce the desired behavior, could you provide a recording of that?