Tutorial: Rotate pictures with precision

[Zeb]

Some scans for some reason refuse to go in level no matter how many times you play with the original artwork in the scanner or no matter how careful you are holding the camera without a tripod.

Here, using Photoshop is a quick and simple way of getting them level. I'm using Photoshop CS2 and can't remember which version this feature was introduced.

Right-click on the eye dropper tool and from the pop-up menu select "Measure Tool".
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6765/stage1gx3.gif

Now, on a clear part of the picture (ie. following the horizon) draw a line from one point to another point. Now it's best to make this line as long as possible to make the rotation as accurate as possible.
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/227/stage2bf8.jpg
(Note the line following the top of the text)

Next from the "Image" menu select "Rotate Canvas>Arbitrary" and a small window will open and if all has gone as planned there should be a number already entered which Photoshop obtained from your guide line.
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/2567/stage3vl7.gif

Click "OK" and the image will then rotate. All that's needed now is to crop the image to remove the extra space that was added around the picture during rotation.

In PSE4 in the main toolbox below the crop tool there is a one step horizon tool, just click one end then another for true horizontal, or with command down true vertical.

As we have recently trebled the number of mac users ( ): In GraphicConverter command+alt+4 gives similar tool

[Don Hoey]

Originally Posted by daedal

As we have recently trebled the number of mac users ( ): In GraphicConverter command+alt+4 gives similar tool

I bet Foxy gets it right first time. For the other odd occasion easy peasy in NX.

Don

[Canis Vulpes]

Originally Posted by Don Hoey

I bet Foxy gets it right first time. For the other odd occasion easy peasy in NX.

Don

.......

Its a similar procedure in NX using the straighten tool.

[Don Hoey]

Originally Posted by Stephen Fox

.......

Its a similar procedure in NX using the straighten tool.

The great thing with the D2X ( HS crop marks ) or those Nikons with turn on grid is you can mostly get it right in camera. Not sure how much image degradation there is in other than 90 degree rotations.

Now knowing Foxy, that why I don't think he uses it.

Don