This tutorial demonstrates how to utilise [1] Photoshop CS4’s Rotate View Tool.

[2] Read Adobe’s Notes On GPU And Open GL Features And Limitations In Photoshop CS4 Here

To begin, mark the Enable OpenGL Drawing box: (from the top menu, choose Edit then choose Preferences then choose Performance).

If your Enable OpenGL Drawing setting is greyed out as illustrated below, it could indicate that your Video Card doesn’t support Open GL.  Another reason why this option could be greyed out is, if you also work with [3] Paint Shop Pro X, XI, X2 Photo, you might have reduced your Hardware’s Acceleration.  If, like myself, reducing your Hardware’s Acceleration (in order to open Paint Shop Pro), is greying out the Enable OpenGL Drawing option, then read my [4] Paint Shop Pro tips explanation to discover how to increase your Hardware’s Acceleration.

Increasing Your Hardware’s Acceleration Note
Close Photoshop before increasing your Hardware Acceleration: then restart Photoshop once you have increased the Hardware Acceleration.

Reduced Hardware Acceleration: Enable OpenGL Drawing Is Greyed Out

Hardware Acceleration Increased: Enable OpenGL Drawing Setting Is Now Active

If increasing your Hardware Acceleration has worked; upon reopening Photoshop CS4, you will see the following dialogue box.

Rotate View Tool Note
You use the Rotate View Tool to rotate a canvas non-constructively; this Tool rotates the canvas and not the image.   Rotating your canvas can be useful for many reasons, including facilitating easier painting, drawing and designing. [5] OpenGL is required.  It can also used with Macbook Pro and Macbook Air computers with multi-touch trackpads to non-destructively rotate a canvas.

To use the Rotate View Tool, first open an image onto Photoshop’s workspace.

Then from the Toolbar, activate Photoshop CS4’s Rotate View Tool.

Then left-click over your image, and rotate it by swivelling (or dragging) your cursor in a circular or semi-circular movement.

Compass Note
A compass will indicate north of the image, regardless of the current canvas angle - as illustrated below.

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Alternatively, enter a numerical value (to indicate degrees of shifting), into the Rotation Angle field.

You can also click (or click and drag to scrub) on the following Set Angle of Rotation dial.

To restore your canvas to its original angle, click the Reset View tab.

Now you are familiar with this Tool, it can be implemented within your workflow to produce better paintings, drawings and designs.

[7] Wendi E.M. Scarth. (9th January 2010).

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