The present disclosure relates to systems, non-transitory computer-readable media, and methods for implementing part-level semantic aware transformations when editing digital images. For example, the disclosed systems identify a user selection designating an active region of a subpart (e.g., an object portion) to modify in a shape-constrained manner. Additionally, in certain implementations, the disclosed systems identify another user selection to designate an influenced region comprising adjoining areas connected to the active region. In some embodiments, the disclosed systems generate a boundary vector path outlining the active region and the influenced region. Furthermore, the disclosed systems can determine transformation constraints corresponding to specific path segments of the boundary vector path. Using such transformation constraints, the disclosed systems can generate a modified digital image that maintains shape and other properties for the subpart (and the object) when transforming the active region of the subpart.