Photoshop transform selection on a single layer

Question

I am not a photoshop expert, but have used it quite a bit over the years. I thought what I am about to describe below was a doable task using select and transform selection

So here is the problem.....

I have a multilayered PSD file. I just increased the canvas size by 30px to the right. Then I selected the bottom layer which is a blue gradient graphic meant for the background of the image. Then I selected the right side of the bottom layer just described.

Next I clicked on select and picked Transform Selection. Then I pulled the Transform selection to the right to stretch blue gradient into the empty canvas I created, but it does not pull anything but empty pixels.

Am I doing something wrong? I could have sworn I did this with CS3, but I just got CC and I noticed the settings are a little different in some places, but not much.

Answer 1

Transform Selection is designed to transform the selection area and not the pixels within it. You want to use Edit > Free Transform and not Select > Transform Selection.

In short... Transform Selection changes the marching ants themselves. Free Transform changes what is inside the marching ants.