When you use the Edit / Transform command you will see a bounding box appear around the object you are transforming. This will have a small square handle at each corner, and in the middle of each edge, that you can drag with the mouse to scale or transform the object.
The subject of this article is the Reference Point, that by default appears in the centre of the bounding box and looks like a small target (see Figure 1).
Fig 1 - Bounding Box and Reference Point
In later versions of Photoshop the reference point does not show by default. There are two ways you can turn it on so it displays.
When you are in Transform mode, the very first check box in the Options bar (see Figure 2) will toggle the reference point on and off.
Fig 2 - Transform Options Bar
In Photoshop Preferences there is also a setting on the Tools tab “Show Reference Point when using Transform” which when checked will also ensure the Reference Point is displayed by default (see Figure 3).
Fig 3 - Photoshop Tools Preferences
The Reference Point performs a very important role when using most of the Transform commands like Rotate, Scale, Flip Horizontal and Flip Vertical because the transformation is performed with the location of the Reference Point as the centre of the transformation.
Often you will want the Reference Point to be exactly in the centre, or exactly on one of the corner or edge bounding box handles. There is an easy way to move the Reference Point to one of these locations, that is using the Reference Point Locator that appears in the Options Bar (see Figure 2). It is a small grid of nine squares, clicking one of the squares will move the Reference Point to the relevant place.
Otherwise, you can simply drag the Reference Point to a new location using the mouse.
Keep in mind that the Reference Point does not have to be inside the bounding box, it can be anywhere in your image.
Another useful tip is when scaling objects in a scene, placing the reference point on the horizon will cause the scaling to keep the perspective correct.
This article was first published in the June 2021 issue of Artists Down Under magazine.