Move, Duplicate, and Reshape Objects with the Content-Aware Move Tool in Photoshop
The Content-Aware Move Tool lets you relocate objects and automatically fills the hole they leave behind. You can also scale and rotate during the move, work non‑destructively, duplicate objects, and even extend or contract them. This tutorial walks through the essential settings and post‑drop refinements for clean composites.
Step-by-step instructions
Choose the Content-Aware Move Tool and set options
Select the Content-Aware Move Tool (nested under the Spot Healing Brush Tool).
In the options bar, set Mode to Move.
Set Structure to 4 and Color to 4.
Enable Sample All Layers.
Enable Transform on Drop.
Move an object and auto‑fill the hole
Make a loose selection around the object you want to move.
Click‑drag the selection to the new location and position it.
Click the checkmark to commit, then press Ctrl/Cmd+D to deselect.
Scale and rotate during the move
With Transform on Drop enabled, drag the selected object; use corner handles to scale (hold Shift to constrain, if needed) and rotate using the curved corner handle.
Commit the transform; note that disabling Transform on Drop can leave a visible hole after transforming.
Work non‑destructively on a new layer
Create a new empty layer above your image.
With Sample All Layers checked, make the move, scale/rotate as needed, and commit.
Toggle the original image layer to see the moved object and filled background on the new layer.
Extend, contract, or duplicate with Extend mode
Change Mode to Extend in the options bar.
Select part of an object (e.g., a pillar) and drag up to extend or down to contract; commit.
To duplicate, select an object and drag to an empty area; commit and repeat, scaling/rotating duplicates if desired.
Refine Structure and Color blending after the drop
Immediately after dropping (with the selection still active), adjust Structure (1–7) to control pattern adherence and Color (0–10) for color blending.
Press Ctrl/Cmd+H to hide selection edges while previewing the blend.
Note: Once you deselect, you can no longer adjust Structure/Color for that move.
