Proper Scaling

      In Photoshop there are many ways to scale an image or object in Photoshop. However you need to be aware of content-aware scaling. this method of scaling allows you to change the size and shape of the image or object that you want. You are able to do this with out distorting the image and composition of the image. this type of scaling also preserves the image quality much better than tradition transformations. The way the method is technically very complex. Don't freak out because it is actually very simple.

Here is how you do it:

1. Choose your desire layer in the layers panel. If you would like to isolate the scaling to the selection do so now.   (the content-aware scaling doesn't work on adjustment layers, layer mask, individual channels or on smart objects. also if you are wanting to scale a background layer choose select all.)
2. Cow go to your menu and select edit from there hit the content-aware scale.

1. Then specify your options on the options bar as follows:
1.   Reference point: click a square in the reference point box to specify the axis point. the default location is the center.
1. Use Relative Positioning for Reference Point(triangle icon): from here select this option to specify the new axis point in relation to its current position. 
2.     Amount: now this option specifies the ratio of content-aware scaling to normal scaling. to minimize distortion, you need to specify your threshold amount. Start with a higher percentage and then  just adjust accordingly, if you need to.                     
3.    Protect: You can choose a designated area that you want to protect from scaling by selecting them and saving them in as alpha channels.(alpha channel a color component that represents the degree of transparency (or opacity) of a color (i.e., the red, green and blue channels). It is used to determine how a pixel is rendered when blended with another.) If you have a alpha channel then choose it from this sub-menu.


4. Protect the skin tone (man icon): you can select this option to preserve the skin tones from distorting when you are scaling. 

1. Now click and drag one of the handles of the scale box that surrounds the layer or selection in order to resize the image. 
1. you can upscale(meaning make the image or object larger) or you can down scale(meaning make the object or image smaller). you can also use the horizontal and vertical scale numerical fields on the menu. to do this select Maintain Aspect Ratio to keep the scaling proportional(chain option).
2. When you have completed your scaling, double click the scale box, or press enter (this means you will return.) on your keyboard.
1. can you see the difference between the layer that is resized with the content-aware scale and a layer resized with free transform? if you note you will see there is less distortion with the first method.

If you need extra help watch this video:

  Extra help for content aware scaling