172. Wrap an Image Around an Object See Also  99 Move, Resize, Skew, or Distort a Layer
171 "Melt" an Image 184 Bend Text
With the help of the 3D Transform filter, you can wrap an image around a sphere, cube, or cylinder. Using a wireframe that represents the outer surface of the chosen 3D object, you can reposition the image on the 3D object and even bend the frame inward or outward at opposite points, creating your own unique 3D shapes. After applying your changes, the 3D object is rendered on top of an image (where the image acts as a background for the shape), or on top of a plain black background. TIPS  | For best results, before using the 3D Transform filter, you'll want to skew your subject so that it begins to conform to the 3D shape you want to apply. For example, you might want to bend the top and bottom of the image inward to fit the image onto a sphere. See 99 Move, Resize, Skew, or Distort a Layer. You can create your own distortions using any image in PSD format and the Filters, Distort, Displace filter. The image you start with is warped based on the light and dark areas of the PSD image you select. For example, you could select a waving flag image saved in PSD format, and warp another image so that it looks as if it's been pasted to the surface of the flag. |
1. | Choose Filter, Render, 3D Transform
Open an image in the Editor in Standard Edit mode and save it in Photoshop (*.psd) format. In the Layers palette, select the layer you want to transform. You can limit the effect to a specific area by making a selection in the chosen layer. Then choose Filter, Render, 3D Transform from the menu. The 3D Transform dialog box appears.
| 2. | Set Options
Click the Options button. The Options dialog box appears. Adjust the Resolution. Higher resolutions produce better quality in spheres and cylinders, but require more time to render. The resolution has little effect on the quality of rendered 3D cubes. Select the level of anti-aliasing with the Anti-aliasing slider. Enable the Display Background option if you want to place the newly rendered 3D shape on top of the image. If this option is turned off, the 3D shape will appear on a black background. Click OK to return to the 3D Transform dialog box.
| 3. | Draw Shape
Click the Cube, Sphere, or Cylinder tool. Then drag on the image to create the wireframe which defines the outline of the shape.
| 4. | Adjust Wireframe
Adjust the wireframe as needed:
To adjust the wireframe's position on the image, click the Selection tool and drag the frame.  To resize the wireframe, click the Direct Selection tool and drag a corner anchor point (otherwise known as a corner handle). To move an anchor point on a cylinder (and change the shape of the wireframe), click the Direct Selection tool and drag the anchor point along the frame. To bend the wireframe on a cylinder inwards or outwards (to create an hourglass shape, for example), add or remove anchor points. Anchors are added or removed in pairs. To add a pair of anchors, click the right side of the frame with the Add Anchor Point tool. Drag this right anchor in or out to bend the wireframe. To remove an anchor, click it with the Delete Anchor Point tool.
NOTES  | Anchors are normally smooth, causing curves in the wireframe when you drag them inward or outward. To create a corner rather than a curve, convert the anchor by clicking it with the Convert Anchor Point tool. Click with the tool again to convert the anchor back to curve mode. If the wireframe turns red, you've manipulated it in such a way that a 3D rendering is no longer possible. Abort your changes and try again. Use the Field of View slider to adjust for the angle in which the photo was taken. Doing so might help the image better fit the 3D shape you've chosen. |
| 5. | Adjust 3D Shape and Click OK
Make any of the following further adjustments as desired, then click OK to apply your changes:
Move the 3D object within the image window by dragging it with the Pan Camera tool. Rotate the 3D object by dragging it right or left with the Trackball tool. Zoom the view of the 3D object in or out by adjusting the Dolly slider.
| 6. | View the Result
After you're satisfied with the result, make any other changes you want and save the PSD file. Resave the result in JPEG or TIFF format, leaving your PSD image with its layers (if any) intact so that you can return at a later time and make different adjustments if you want.
TIP | You can create a nice half sphere by applying the Filters, Distort, Spherize filter to a circular selection. Apply the filter more than once to improve the effect. |
I have several photos of my daughter playing in the snow last winter, and as I was messing around with the 3D Transform filter, I suddenly got the idea of using the filter on three images to create three separate spheres. I then copied the results to a new image and assembled them into a snow girl. I painted arms and buttons on the snow girl using the Brush tool, pasted her hat from one of the original images and resized it to fit the snow girl's head, then used the Liquify filter to warp her nose, creating the traditional "carrot nose" effect. As a final touch, I airbrushed some snow on the snow girl to give her a bit more dimension. See 171"Melt" an ImageMelt" an Image. Look for this image in the Color Gallery.
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