PS-29 - Display Dimensions for the Selection object

Here are the easy and simple ways you can check the dimensions for your objects.

This tutorial is divided into two sections, the first part is for 'Shapes' and the second for 'Pixels/Images'. If you are using pixels/images you can start from 07.

---

Shapes

01. If you use any one of the shape tools (Rectangle, Rounded rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, Line or Custom), you can see the dimension in the Shape tool Option bar right-away.

(Remember, option bar contents differ based on the tool you select from the toolbar)

(fig 1.0)

02. If you turn on the 'Show Transformation Values: in the Preferences (Preferences > Interface > Show transform values), you can see the dimensions as you make the shape.

(fig 2.0)

03. If you have a two different shapes in two different layer, selecting the shape layer will show the dimensions in the option bar.

(fig 3.0)

04. What if you two different shapes in one layer? Selecting the shape layer will display the overall dimensions.

(fig 4.0)

05. In order to see the dimension for one shape, select the path selection tool and click on any one of the shape and press 'Ctrl + T' or 'Edit > Transform > Scale', this will brings the Transform box for the selected shape object. Open the Info panel and you will see the dimensions under the Transform value.

To check the other shape object, you have to release the current transform box and repeat the same method on the other.

(fig 4.1)

06. You can also use selection to see the dimensions.

1. Select the Path selection tool
2. Click on the Shape
3. Hold the Ctrl key in the keyboard
4. Click on the Shape layer in the layers palette

Even though both shapes are in one layer, the selection will happens only on the selected object. Without deselecting the current selection, you can click the other shape object and Ctrl click the shape layer again. The selection will shift to the currently selected Shape.

(fig 5.0)

Pixels

07. Just like shape layer, you can use the Transform box to see the dimensions in the Info panel. Unless it's a Smart-object, the option bar will always display the dimensions as 100%, so you have to use the Info panel.

(fig 6.0)

08. If you have a multiple objects in a single layer, you can use the 'Magic Wand tool'. This will show the dimensions instantly on the Info panel.

(Magic Wand will not work on a Shape layer)

(fig 7.0)

09. When applying Gradient or any other effects to the layer, use the Layer style. This will preserve the original color and it's easy to select.

The Gradient on the second image is applied directly on the layer.

(fig 8.0)

10. Sometimes you get multiple images as one file like this. So if you want to see the dimensions for one image but without separating from its layer..

1. Use the Lasso or Rectangular Marquee tool to draw a selection around the image
2. Ctrl + Arrow key in the keyboard (you can use any one of the arrow key)
3. The selection will look for the pixels inside selection and snaps to it
4. You can use the Info panel to see the dimensions

Remember, when you use the arrow key the image nudges to one pixel (whichever arrow you are using). So instead of deselecting the running ants you can use the Undo option.

(fig 9.0)