> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tessact.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Transform geometry

> Control position, dimensions, rotation, scale, opacity, alignment, and aspect ratio.

export const TechnicalTruth = () => <Note>
    Technical detail: visual state is evaluated for the current frame. Base layer properties, layout constraints, and keyframe tracks are resolved before the canvas is painted.
  </Note>;

The **Transform** inspector expresses a layer's geometry in composition or parent space. Direct canvas manipulation and numeric controls are two interfaces to the same state.

## Property roles

| Property       | Role                                                      | Important interaction                                             |
| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Position       | Places the layer or applies a managed offset              | Parent layout can own the base position                           |
| Width / height | Defines the layout box                                    | Aspect-ratio lock can derive the paired dimension                 |
| Scale          | Multiplies visual size around the transform origin        | Does not rewrite source resolution                                |
| Rotation       | Rotates the rendered box                                  | Current snap math still uses the crop-adjusted unrotated base box |
| Opacity        | Multiplies the layer's alpha                              | Combines with fades and effect output                             |
| Alignment      | Places geometry against composition, parent, or selection | Scope changes with hierarchy and selection count                  |

## Base values and animated values

Without animation, the inspector edits a base property. Once a property has a keyframe track, the current playhead frame determines the evaluated value. Editing can upsert a point on that track, preserving other frames.

```text theme={null}
evaluated property(frame) = interpolate(track around frame, easing)
fallback when no track    = base property
```

<TechnicalTruth />

## Layout-managed children

Auto-layout and grid containers calculate a child's base rectangle. A child can still expose size constraints, self-alignment, and supported offsets, but ordinary absolute position is no longer the sole owner of placement. The inspector can clear or normalize conflicting position tracks when a frame switches into managed layout.

## Precision recommendations

* Use canvas dragging for rapid composition and numeric input for repeated values.
* Keep aspect ratio for video, images, and GIFs unless distortion is intentional.
* Inspect rotated pixels after snapping; guides do not account for rotation or scale.
* Verify every keyframed transform at its exact frame and between points.
* Use the [motion path](/editor/animation/motion-paths) to understand animated position.

See [move, resize, and rotate](/editor/editing/move-resize-rotate) for gesture details.