Is there a way to scale layers relative to their individual boundaries in Photoshop? [duplicate]

Question

I am wondering if there is a way, in Photoshop CC, to select multiple layers and then resize them relative to their current location.

For example, if I have 2 equal sized squares next to each other, I want to be able to select them both, then drag the bottom right corner to make them smaller without the location of their top left corners moving.

I realise that you can use shift+click to select multiple layers, then transform them together, but the result of this is that they get smaller and the space between them also gets smaller.

I hope this makes sense.

Answer 1

It sounds like you are saying you want to select multiple objects, layers, and have each layer resize respectively to its own upper left corner, correct?

That’s not possible in PS because whether you select multiple 'items', (areas of pixels) and/or layers, there's only one transformation box, having one origin (the point or side that doesn't move).

e.g. let’s say you had a TicTacToe configuration of squares, 4", and you wanted to keep it 4" but reduce each by 50% thereby doubling the space between each of the nine squares.

Yes, in illustrator, no in Photoshop because Photoshop is for photos and really doesn’t have the shape manipulation power that illustrator has (pathfinder, align, etc.)

Answer 2

You could actually scale by numbers rather than dragging handles. Scaling each rectangle by the same percentage with the origin set at the top left would retain any spacing between them.

You'd have to scale each layer separately, which may be an issue fr a great many layers. However, if it's just a couple layers, this would work great.