How to use content aware scaling the right way

We already published a similar tutorial, but this time we will find out how to resize images while the selected areas stay the same.

Open a picture you want to resize using content-aware scaling.

I decided to reduce the size of the background picture (trees and grass) while the cows will be left as they are.

First let's unlock the layer.

If you have only one layer (Background) with a little lock on the right (see picture) then click it.

In a new window click OK.

You can name your layer as well if you want.

The little lock should now be gone.

Choose the Lasso Tool (press L for a keyboard shortcut).

Now select the part of the picture you want to leave in tact, meaning the part of the picture that you do not want to resize.

If you want to select more areas of the picture, hold Shift and select the areas to add them to the selection.

When done selecting, click  Refine Edge... button in the toolbar (see picture).

Set Feather to about 6,5 px.

Feather represents the edge  between selected and non-selected part of the image. Setting the feather of an edge makes the transitions smoother.

Click OK.

Click the Channels tab.

Click the Save selection as channel button (see picture).

Click the Layers tab and select the picture layer.

Press Ctrl + D to remove the selection.

Click Edit in the menu and choose Content-Aware Scale.

In the toolbar choose Alpha 1 as the Protect setting (see picture).

Now start resizing the picture/layer.

Notice the parts of the of the picture you selected a few steps back not changing.

To confirm the changes press Enter.

And we are done.

And this is how the picture would look like if we used the normal transformation mode (Ctrl + T) instead of content-aware scaling.