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How to use the Rotate View tool

The Rotate View tool turns the canvas on your screen, the way you would turn a sheet of paper to draw. The picture itself is not rotated.

Where to find it

It is in the toolbar, in one slot with Hand. Right-click the slot, or press and hold it, to choose between them. Press R to pick it.

How to use it

Choose the tool. Press R, or right-click the hand slot and pick Rotate View.
Drag to turn. Drag around the canvas. Hold Shift to turn in 15 degree steps.
Work as usual. Switch to the brush or any other tool; the view stays turned.
Reset. Double-click with the tool, press Esc, or click Reset View.

The canvas turned at an angle with the Rotate View tool, showing a bicycle photo — Screenshot from the editor, 13 November 2026.

Options bar settings

Rotation Angle: Type an exact angle from -180 to 180 degrees.
Reset View: Turns the canvas back upright.
Rotate All Windows: Turns every open document by the same amount.

Tips and common mistakes

To rotate the picture itself, use Image → Image Rotation or the Crop tool's Straighten.

Related

Photostar is a free online Photoshop alternative that runs in your browser. There is no account to make, and your files stay on your device.

Checked 13 November 2026 in the current editor.

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