How to Use the Warp Tool in Photoshop: 3 Step-by-Step Ways

PDF download Download Article
Learn how to use the Warp tool in Photoshop easily and efficiently
PDF download Download Article

In Adobe Photoshop, the Warp tool allows you to quickly manipulate and deform images via a grid-like system of control points. In addition to images, shapes, and paths can also be warped. To activate the Warp tool, select the layer/image/etc. you want to manipulate, then click Edit > Transform > Warp . [1]

Things You Should Know

  • You can activate the Warp tool by navigating to Edit > Transform > Warp.
  • You can also activate Warp by pressing Ctrl + T on Windows or ⌘ Cmd + T on Mac.
  • Alternatively, you can use Puppet Warp under the Edit menu if you need a more freeform warp tool.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Activating the Warp Tool

PDF download Download Article
  1. Load an image that you would like to warp.
  2. Click the layer that you want to warp in the Layers panel.
    • If the layer is locked, as it usually is on JPG and PNG images, click the Lock icon to unlock it. Alternatively, drag the layer onto the New Layer icon to create a duplicate, editable layer. The Warp tool does not work on the background.
    Advertisement
  3. At this point, you can use one of the selection tools (such as the Lasso Tool or the Rectangular Marquee Tool in the Toolbox) to select the area you want to warp. Use these exactly as you usually would to select the portion of the layer you want.
    • To keep your work more manageable, consider making a new layer from your selection ( Ctrl + J ).
    • Note: If you select nothing, everything in the layer warps by default.
  4. This should put a grid-like mesh over the layer or selection.
    • At this point, you can start warping the image. Click here or scroll down to the section below to learn how to warp.
  5. At the right end of the options toolbar, you should see a button that looks like a curved grid over a curved arrow. Press this button to switch between the free transform and warp modes.
    • With the Transform tool active, you can also right-click on the selection and select "Warp" to get the same effect.
    6. Advertisement

Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Warping the Image

PDF download Download Article
  1. When you select an image for warping, a gridded mesh should automatically appear over it. Clicking and dragging any part of this mesh will cause the image underneath to deform in the direction you drag it. This can take a little getting used to, so you may want to practice before you save your work.
    • You can click any of the control points (the dots highlighted on the edge of the grid), one of the intersections of the grid lines, or an area inside the grid — any will work.
  2. When you bend or curve your image with the warp tool, you will see short line segments with dots at the end appear in the grid. Clicking and dragging these "handles" allows you to fine-tune the curves in your warped image.
  3. You don't have to warp your image free-hand — you can also warp it to one of several preset shapes. To do this, once your image is selected for warping, look for the Warp pop-up menu in the Options bar. Here, you can choose a warp style that fits your needs. [2]
  4. In the Warp pop-up in the Options bar, several more options can help you modify the warped image. These are: [3]
    • Change Warp Orientation: The button looks like a curved grid next to a down arrow and a right arrow. This turns the warped section between vertical and horizontal orientations. [4]
    • Change Reference Point: The button looks like a black square surrounded by a border of white squares.
    • Define Warp Numerically: Enter numbers in the Bend X and Y boxes to set precisely how much to warp the image.
  5. When you're satisfied with your image, confirm the changes you've made. There are two ways to do this:
    • Simply hit the ↵ Enter key ( ⏎ Return on Macs).
    • Click the check mark button in the Options bar.
    • To cancel your work, press Esc or click the cancel button next to the checkmark button.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using the Puppet Warp Tool

PDF download Download Article
  1. In Photoshop, the Puppet Warp tool is a quick, freehand way of manipulating an image related to the Warp tool. To use it, follow these steps:
    • Create a layer with the image you want to warp.
    • Make sure the layer is selected in the Layers panel.
    • Select Edit > Puppet Warp from the menu bar.
  2. When the image is selected for puppet warping, clicking will add "pins" (signified by small dots). Dragging one pin after it's placed will warp that portion of the image. All of the other pins will "lock" the area around them in place, preventing it from being distorted.
    • Because of how the pins work, it's usually a good idea to put a few pins in crucial locations on the image you want to warp. For instance, if you're using the Puppet Warp tool to move the position of someone's arm, you might put a pin on her hand, another on her elbow, and a third on her shoulder. This way, when you move any of the three, the rest of the arm won't deform by much.
  3. Once you've placed your array of pins, you can click and drag any pin individually to move it. This will warp the image accordingly, pushing or pulling the area around the pin as you move it. Puppet warping can take some time to master, but it's a quick, convenient way to make adjustments once you know how to use it.
    • With a point selected, you can use the arrow keys to make minor adjustments.
    • Note that you can ⇧ Shift + click to select multiple points at once.
  4. If you want to warp the image so that part of it goes behind another part, first, select the pin(s) on the screen you want to adjust. Then, use the "up" and "down" buttons next to "Pin Depth:" in the Options bar to move the selected portion in front or behind the rest.
  5. The following selections in the Options bar can be used to modify the way that the Puppet Warp tool works:
    • Mode: Adjusts how drastic the changes you make are. "Distort" makes your image especially elastic, while "Rigid" makes your changes more minor. [5]
    • Expansion: Allows you to expand or contract the outer edge of the mess formed by your pins.
    • Density: Allows you to change the spacing of mesh points. More points give you greater precision but can tax your computer. Fewer points make your changes quicker but less precise.
  6. When you're satisfied with your work, press ↵ Enter to apply your changes. Alternatively, click the check mark button in the Options bar.
    • As noted above, Esc or the cancel button in the Options bar will undo your work.
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Design an ID Card Using Adobe Photoshop
      How to
      Adjust Opacity in Adobe Photoshop
      A Step-by-Step Guide to Open a PSD File on Android
      How to
      Use Puppet Warp in Photoshop
      How to
      Use Adobe Photoshop
      How to
      Do "Step and Repeat" in Photoshop
      5 Easy Ways to Use Tools in Adobe Photoshop
      How to
      Add Photoshop Filters
      How to
      Open NEF Files in Photoshop
      How to
      Cut and Paste on Photoshop
      Quick, Easy Guide on How to Open CR2 Files in Photoshop
      Install Photoshop Brushes: Downloading and Importing
      5 Easy Ways to Select Pixels in Adobe Photoshop
      How to
      Make a PSD File Using Photoshop (Beginner)
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/warp-images-shapes-paths.html
      2. ↑ https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/warp-images-shapes-paths.html
      3. ↑ https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/warp-images-shapes-paths.html
      4. ↑ https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/transforming-objects.html
      5. ↑ http://digital-photography-school.com/introduction-to-puppet-warp-in-photoshop/
      6. ↑ https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/topics.html

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 170,759 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement