User guide

Manipulating Images 111
Mesh warping
The Mesh Warp Tool (Tools toolbar) works like the Deform Tool outfitted
with complex curves. It lets you define a flexible grid of nodes and lines that you
can drag to distort an image, or part of an image (or layer). You can edit the
mesh to vary its curvature, and even custom-design a mesh to match a particular
image's geometry—for example, curves that follow facial contours—for more
precise control of the warp effect.
The Mesh Warp Tool works on Background and standard layers, but
not on text layers or shape layers.
When you first select the tool, a
simple rectangular mesh appears
over the image, with nine nodes: one
at each corner, one at the center, and
one at the midpoint of each edge.
Straight lines connect adjacent
nodes. A context toolbar also appears
to support the Mesh Warp Tool.
The straight line segments are
actually bendable curves. When you
alter the contours of the mesh and
distort the initial rectangular grid,
the underlying image deforms
accordingly. To change the mesh,
you simply move nodes, node
attractor handles, or connecting
lines; add or subtract nodes as
needed; and/or edit nodes to change
the curvature of adjoining lines.