You know the trick where you can use the ruler to line up along a horizontal or vertical line in a photo and then go to Image > Rotate Canvas > Arbitrary and it will rotate the canvas according to the the angle from the ruler?

Well is there a way to do that on just a single layer or a group of layers (but not the whole image)? Or do I have to manually put in the angle during a free transform?

Because you're asking PS to rotate the entire canvas, I know of no way to apply this to only one layer.

Ask Sean....

well that was helpful.

what about copying the layer, pasting in a new document, do your Arbitrary rotation, then pasting the layer back in the old document? I know its not perfect, but at least its a solution.

EDIT: OK went into PS and actually tried that...
thats a pain in the arse.

so the way I would do it is like you said.
do your Arbitrary rotation with your ruler... take the value and copy it. hit cancel.
then go Edit>Free transform and enter the value in the angle box at the top.

viola!

2 extra steps but works nicely. So yes, as far as I can tell, you have to manually do it.

but what the hell do I know I'm just a hack.

Just 1 layer: Edit / Transform, etc.

More layers: In the layer menu... click lock before every layer you want to rotate, than: Edit / Transform, etc. - unlock your layers by clicking again.

I hope this is what you mean... (damn English)

Yep that's what I've had to do. PITA when you're dealing with layer after layer. Maybe it's time for an action?

BTW, if you're a hack I'm hopeless.

It is really nice to meet you!

Why not just do it the regular way. copy the whole layer you want to clipboard-undo it- and paste?

Huh? You lost me there (hard to believe I know).

Im unaware of this ruler thingybob..gonna try it !

Instead of copying to a new doc or the 2 steps Sean suggested, rotate the layer via the ruler/rotate canvas/arbitrary method, ctl.c. . .ctl. z . . .ctl. p.

Like that?

ok tried it...cool feature.

After setting the rule as required you go to EDIT...TRANSFORM..ROTATE...and it will have entered the ruler angle into the angle box and you only need to press enter (or click the tick)

i always turn my screen

I almost never go to the edit/transform menu. I alwasy CTRL-T to free transform and rotate by hand.

Thanks Andy!

Create a new layer....turn your little eyeballs on the layers you want....hold down Alt or option....and goto merge visible. It creates a layer of everthing visible for you to do your ruler thingee to, and leaves the originals intact. Just incase you screw it up.

no worries