How to Use the Warp Tool on Photoshop

The warp tool is a useful Adobe Photoshop tool that can be used to warp images or text. While it can be used subtly to wrap text or images around other objects, it can also be used to create dramatic and surreal changes to your Photoshop elements. Keep reading to find out how you can utilize the powerful warp tool.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop CS3

1. Start Adobe Photoshop and open an existing document that contains an element you want to warp.

2. Select the layer from the Layers palette that contains the element you want to warp. You can't apply a warp to a background layer, you must choose an actual layer.

3. Press CTRL+T on your keyboard to enter free transform mode. Notice that you have square transform handles surrounding the element on your selected layer.

4. Click the "Switch between free transform and warp modes" button on the right side of the Transform toolbar. You will now see that your element is divided into rectangles meaning that you are in warp mode.

5. Click on a rectangle on top of your selected element and drag it up, down, right or left. As you do this, your element will become warped.

6. Release the mouse button to finish warping the selected rectangle.

7. Continue clicking and dragging on the rectangles to further warp your text or image until you have achieved the desired look.

Tips & Warnings

• Combine the Warp tool with the Free Transform tools to create a whole new look to your Photoshop images and text.