# Transform, resize and crop images > Move, scale and rotate images in Nodespell with Transform, change size with Resize, and crop with on-image handles, aspect presets and reformat. Source: https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/transforms-and-crop/ · Last updated: 2026-11-10 Nodespell has three nodes for geometry: **Transform** moves, scales, rotates and skews an image inside its existing frame; **Resize** changes the image's pixel dimensions to a format, scale or reference; and **Crop** cuts a region out, either keeping the frame size or reformatting to the crop. All three work in the Graph and inside compositors. ## Which node changes the image size? | Node | Output size | Use for | | ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | | **Transform** | Same as the input | Positioning a layer, rotating, scaling inside the frame | | **Resize** | A format, custom size, scale or reference image | Matching a delivery size or another image | | **Crop** | Same as the input, or the crop size with **reformat** on | Removing edges, reframing | Every other image effect outputs the same size as its input, so a chain of filters keeps your source resolution. In the Design panel, **Preview resolution** only changes the preview; see [Viewers](https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/viewers/). ## Move, scale and rotate with Transform | Control | Range and default | Notes | | -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | | **Scale X**, **Scale Y** | 0.01–10, default 1 | | | **Translate X**, **Translate Y** | −2 to 2, default 0 | In frame widths and heights; Y moves up | | **Rotate** | −360 to 360 degrees | Positive turns clockwise on screen | | **Skew X**, **Skew Y** | −89 to 89 degrees | | | **Pivot X**, **Pivot Y** | 0–1, default 0.5 (centre) | The point scale and rotation happen around | | **Filter** | **Cubic** (default), **Mitchell**, **Lanczos 3**, **Linear**, **Nearest** | Resampling quality; Nearest keeps hard pixels | Inside a compositor, select a Transform node to get an on-image control in the viewer: a ring that stands in for the image. | Gesture | Result | | --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | | Drag inside the ring | Move the image | | `Option/Alt`+drag inside the ring | Move the pivot without moving the image | | Drag a square on the ring | Scale about the pivot; hold `Shift` to scale along that axis only | | Drag the round grip | Rotate about the pivot; hold `Shift` to snap to 15° steps | The amber target marks the pivot. All gestures use the primary button, so they work on a trackpad. ## Change size with Resize | **Target** | Size comes from | | ----------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Automatic** (default) | The **Reference** input when connected; otherwise the compositor's canvas, or the image's own size outside a compositor | | **Composition** | The compositor canvas | | **Preset** | **Format**: HD · 1920 × 1080, UHD · 3840 × 2160, Portrait · 1080 × 1920, Square · 1080 × 1080, DCI 2K · 2048 × 1080, DCI 4K · 4096 × 2160 | | **Custom** | **Width** and **Height**, 1–8192 pixels | | **Reference** | The dimensions of the image on **Reference** (only its size is used) | | **Scale** | **Scale**, 0.01–16 times the input | When the shape changes, **Fit** decides what happens: **Contain** (default) pads with transparency, **Cover** crops the overflow, **Stretch** changes proportions, and **No Resize** only crops or pads. **Anchor** picks which part of the image stays aligned when padding or cropping. **Filter** is **Smooth** or **Nearest**. ## Crop with on-image handles **Crop** stores the region in normalised coordinates from 0 to 1, with Y measured up from the bottom, as in Nuke. **Mode** is **Edges (L/R/T/B)** (default; left 0, right 1, top 1, bottom 0) or **Center (W/H/X/Y)**. 1. Add **Crop** after an image and select it. The Design panel shows the crop editor over the input image. 2. Drag the edges or corners. Hold `Shift` to keep the shape, or `Alt` to crop from the centre. Drag inside the crop to move it. 3. Pick a shape: **Free**, **Original**, **1:1**, **4:3**, **3:2**, **16:9**, **21:9** or **Custom**. **Swap orientation** turns the ratio portrait. For Custom, type a ratio and select **Set**. 4. Type an exact **Width** and **Height** in pixels if you need them; the field shows the source size beside them. 5. Use the arrow keys to nudge the crop, with `Shift` for larger steps. **Reset** returns to the full image. The same handles, shape presets and size fields appear in a compositor's viewer when you select a Crop node there, and the preview follows as you drag. You can also open **Edit Crop** from the node, or crop from the fullscreen viewer: choose **Crop** in its tools, adjust, and apply to add a Crop node after the image you are viewing. Nothing is created until you apply. ## Keep or change the frame with reformat The **Reformat** switch (off by default) decides the output size: - **Off**: the output keeps the input size, and pixels outside the crop become transparent. Use this inside composites when the layer must stay registered to the plate. - **On**: the output is resized to the crop bounds. Use this to deliver the cropped region as its own image, for example before sending it to a generator. ## Frequently asked questions ### Why is my cropped image still the original size? **Reformat** is off, so the crop keeps the frame and makes the outside transparent. Turn **Reformat** on to output only the cropped region. ### How do I match one image's size to another? Connect the other image to Resize's **Reference** input. With **Target** on **Automatic** or **Reference**, Resize uses its dimensions. ### Does Transform change the image resolution? No. Transform works inside the input's frame, so parts moved outside are cut off. Use Resize to change the pixel dimensions. ### Do downstream generators get my transformed image? Yes. Generators downstream use the current Transform, Resize and Crop results when they run. ## Related - [Compositing](https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/compositing/): canvas size and layering. - [Viewers](https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/viewers/): zoom and inspect at full detail. - [Keyframes](https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/keyframes/): animate a Transform. - [Filters and effects](https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/filters-and-effects/): distortion nodes. - [Export](https://docs.nodespell.com/edit/export/): delivery sizes and formats.