Resize images with Drag Handles.

[swarthyknave]

I'm completely new to PaintShop Pro but used to other paint & vector graphics programs. I'm trying to make a very simple scrapbook page - a plain white background with 7 or 8 images on it. I create the background and open 8 jpg files, the cut and paste them to the background. I then can resize and position them using the grab handles up to a point when the handles suddenly change and do not let me resize anymore. The only let me rotate the image or warp it into a trapezoid. I just can't figure out how to get the resizing handles back. I've tried reading the posts and watching some tutorials, but this seems so basic that I can't find anyone who has addressed it for a newbie. Also, I'm not very familiar with forums so I hope I'm using this one correctly. If not, I apologize and ask you to point out my errors.

[LeviFiction]

On the tool options palette at the top of the program change the Mode to Scale.

picktoolmode.png (3.85 KiB) Viewed 1107 times

The pick tool has several Modes which you can see on the Tool Options palette at the top of the screen. These are normally selected from the drop-down Scale, Perspective, Shear, Free Transform. These modes are activated by some shortcut keys like Ctrl and Shift. A few people have reported situations where these modes get activated and then stick and they have to manually select the Scale mode on the tool options palette. So just change the method back to Scale and you should be fine.

[migf1]

[snip]
A few people have reported situations where these modes get activated and then stick and they have to manually select the Scale mode on the tool options palette.
[snip]

I'm one of those people, and let me tell you this bug is so frustrating! Being waiting for a fix for ages.

[hartpaul]

I'm completely new to PaintShop Pro but used to other paint & vector graphics programs. I'm trying to make a very simple scrapbook page - a plain white background with 7 or 8 images on it. I create the background and open 8 jpg files, the cut and paste them to the background. I then can resize and position them using the grab handles up to a point when the handles suddenly change and do not let me resize anymore. The only let me rotate the image or warp it into a trapezoid. I just can't figure out how to get the resizing handles back. I've tried reading the posts and watching some tutorials, but this seems so basic that I can't find anyone who has addressed it for a newbie. Also, I'm not very familiar with forums so I hope I'm using this one correctly. If not, I apologize and ask you to point out my errors.

You have not stated which version of PSP you are using but from the "I'm completely new to PaintShop Pro" I will presume you have version PSP2021
I gather that you have a large white document and need to place a number of other jpg images into that document and resize them using the Pick tool.
Are these images smaller than the white document ? " open 8 jpg files" does not suggest anything.
Then you say you Cut the image and paste it.
Are you pasting it as a new layer?
This is how I would do it"

1. New document eg 1000 x 1000 pixels white.
2. Open up the other images and resize each of them to say 500 x 500 pixels (Image > Resize...)
3. For the first image make it active and then left click on the layer thumbnail and drag and drop onto the white document. That image will appear in the centre , and on its own layer so it can be adjusted separately.
4. Then for this step alone (and I am assuming you are right handed and using a mouse) pick up an object eg coffee cup , writing implement , or just put your left hand behind your back. Choose the Pick tool and observe that the Mode is set to scale and drag the image to rescale it and place it where you want. Does the Mode stay on Scale this time.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 with the other images. Hopefully you should have no problems with the Mode switching.

I suspect that if you use shortcuts a lot then you have your left hand hovering over the control and shift keys as many shortcuts use these keys and you only have to make a slight press on either or both keys to switch Modes. So by keeping your left hand well away from these keys you should not experience any Mode changes.

[patara]

[snip]
A few people have reported situations where these modes get activated and then stick and they have to manually select the Scale mode on the tool options palette.
[snip]

I'm one of those people, and let me tell you this bug is so frustrating! Being waiting for a fix for ages.

Me too. Happens multiple times a day and such a time waster. That and Use All Layers getting selected in the Fill Option. I never use this option yet it switches to it often during a day and I have to deselect and refill the layer.

[migf1]

Oh yeah, that one too!