4.7. Shear

Figure 13.116. The Shear tool in Toolbox

The Shear tool in Toolbox

Shear tool is used to shift one part of an image, a layer, a selection or a path to a direction and the other part to the opposite direction. For instance, a horizontal shearing will shift the upper part to the right and the lower part to the left. A rectangle becomes a diamond. This is not a rotation: the image is distorted. To use this tool after selecting, click on the image or the selection: a grid is possibly surperimposed and the Shearing Information dialog is opened. By dragging the mouse pointer on the image you distort the image, horizontally or vertically according to the the direction given to the pointer. When you are satisfied, click on the Shear button in the info dialog to validate.

Figure 13.117. Shear example

Shear example

[Note] Note

You can't shear both ways at the same time, you have to use the shear tool twice on end.

4.7.1. Activating the Tool

You can access to the Shear Tool in different ways:

  • from the image menu bar ToolsTransform ToolsShear,

  • by clicking on the tool icon: in Toolbox,

  • by using the Shift+S key combination.

4.7.2. Options

Figure 13.118. Shear tool options

Shear tool options

Normally, tool options are displayed in a window attached under the Toolbox as soon as you activate a tool. If they are not, you can access them from the image menu bar through WindowsDockable WindowsTool Options which opens the option window of the selected tool.

Transform Direction; Interpolation; Clippping; Preview
[Note] Note

These options are described in Transform tools common options.

4.7.3. Shearing Information

Figure 13.119. Shearing Information window

Shearing Information window

Shear magnitude X

Here, you can set the horizontal shearing amplitude. A positive value produces a clock-wise tilt. A negative value gives a counter-clock-wise tilt. The unit used by shearing are half-pixels.

Shear magnitude Y

As above, in the vertical direction.