Rotate image back to its position after using the Straighten tool

[ipbr21054]

Hi,

See my example photos.

In my job i would take a photo of the customers car, i would use the straighton tool to aline the registration plate & color it in to obscure the details then add my name, THE REMOTE DOCTOR.

Now i need to rotate the car back to its original position BEFORE when i selected the straighten tool.
Currently im having to custom rotate 10 degrees then adjust many times from there.

There must be a quicker & better way.
Please advise thanks

[cats4jan]

I would start with a new canvas, file> new blank file (size it to the approximate size to create a new license plate.) Color it, use layer styles, etc., like you have in your example.

Keep the text on its own layer so it can be changed or resized as needed.

Save it as a psd - keep the layers.  Grab all the layers and drag to your car photo.
Alternately, after you get the look you want, of the blank plate, create a png from it.  Add text after it's positioned on car.

Cover the license plate on the car photo - resizing and positioning as needed.

You can then use your png over and over again.

[pontiac1940]

Dec 2, 2022 16:20:10 GMT ipbr21054 said:

Now i need to rotate the car back to its original position BEFORE when i selected the straighten tool.

Hi ipbr21054
Janice has offered some good advise.
Not sure I am 100% clear on this. 

• Before editing, the very first thing I'd suggest is renaming your original file and only work with the copy so you can always go back to you original.
• If you have just straightened the car and immediately want to go back then just hit <ctrl><z> to undo the straightening.
  
• If you are a few steps ahead, you can still go back several steps (repeat <ctrl><z>), but then you would lose new image features such as you name, THE REMOTE DOCTOR.
• The above step will not work if you have saved the file and reopen it. 
• Janice's tips to work with layers and save as PSDs is good. You can work with individual layers. 

Good luck.

Clive

PS: Thanks for including the sample photos.  

[ipbr21054]

Many thanks.

I will try the above post

[Sepiana]

Dec 2, 2022 16:20:10 GMT ipbr21054 said:

In my job i would take a photo of the customers car, i would use the straighton tool to aline the registration plate & color it in to obscure the details then add my name, THE REMOTE DOCTOR.

Now i need to rotate the car back to its original position BEFORE when i selected the straighten tool.
Currently im having to custom rotate 10 degrees then adjust many times from there.

There must be a quicker & better way.
Please advise thanks

ipbr21054, glad to see you back here.

See if this will do what you want.

1.  Use the Straightening tool (P) on the car, not on the license plate.
2.  Turn on the Grid (View > Grid).
3.  Do Ctrl-T to bring up Free Transform.
4.  Press and hold the Ctrl key.
5.  Drag the corner handles until the car looks in the "rotated" position you desire.
6.  Make the license plate changes (color, text) using the technique you feel most comfortable with.

Note:

One good place to position the Straightening tool would be the line between the windshield and the hood of the car.

[Tpgettys]

Dec 2, 2022 18:01:16 GMT Sepiana said:

Do Ctrl-J to bring up Free Transform.

I think Ctrl+J duplicates a layer.  Ctrl+T will activate the transform tool.

[Sepiana]

Dec 2, 2022 19:12:43 GMT Tpgettys said:

Dec 2, 2022 18:01:16 GMT Sepiana said:

Do Ctrl-J to bring up Free Transform.

I think Ctrl+J duplicates a layer.  Ctrl+T will activate the transform tool.

You are right. I meant to type Ctrl-T. Thanks for bringing this to my attention! I made the correction.

[ipbr21054]

Thanks i will try the advised options.

Have a nice day