In this Photoshop tutorial, we're going to carve an image using four simple steps. Curving an image can be a great way to add some extra visual interest and dimension, and it's a technique that can be used with a wide range of images. So, let's get started!
In this article
Simple Steps to Curve an Image in Photoshop with the Warp Tool
Step1Create a New Document
To keep things simple, let's start with a white canvas. Let's open a new document now by going to File in the menu bar and tapping New. Alternatively, you may press Ctrl+N or Command+N on your keyboard to generate a new document. Choose a size and orientation that is appropriate for your image.
Step2Place the Image
After creating the new document, open the image that you want to curve. You may do so by going to File > Open in the menu bar or pressing Ctrl+O or Command+O on your keyboard. Once the image is open, go to Edit in the menu bar and select Place Embedded from the drop-down menu that appears. Select your image and click Place. The image will be placed on the canvas. If the document's size does not match that of the image, you will see a transformation box surrounding the image.
Step3Activate the Warp Tool to Bend the Image
Now we'll curve the image using the Warp Tool. Select the Warp Tool by clicking and holding on the Transform Tool in the toolbar. The Warp Tool is located at the bottom of the Transform Tool's fly-out menu. Alternatively, you may press Ctrl+T or Command+T on your keyboard to open the Transform Tool's fly-out menu and then select the Warp Tool from there.
With the Warp Tool selected, hover your cursor over the image. You'll see a grid appear over the image. Click and drag one of the middle nodes in the horizontal direction to begin curving the image. As you drag, you'll see the image curve along with your cursor. If you want to increase or decrease the amount of curvature, simply press and hold the Shift key while dragging the node.
Play around with the settings in the options bar. There are quite a few different looks you can achieve just by adjusting these.
20% Horizontal Distortion makes one side of the image appear larger than the other. This is what my photo looks like at 20%.
Vertical Distortion makes the image look as if it's leaning backward.
The Bend Direction option rotates the angle of the bend.
Flip any of these effects in the opposite direction by placing a negative sign in front of the percentage. Here's -20% in the Bend box with a vertical bend.
Step4Save the Image
Once you're happy with the way your image looks, go to File > Save As in the menu bar or press Ctrl+Shift+S or Command+Shift+S on your keyboard. Choose a file format and location to save your image and click Save. And that's it! You've successfully curved
Alternative Method: Using Wondershare Filmora For Keyframe Path Curve
As we know, the whole process of adding the curve to an image in Photoshop takes a lot of steps. Although it does the job well enough, you may need simpler alternatives that are also accessible to beginners. In addition, since Photoshop doesn’t work on videos, the need for an alternative increases. In such cases, the ideal solution is to use Wondershare Filmora’s versatile Keyframe Path Curve feature.
While using this feature, you can adjust the transition effects between keyframes of your videos. The tool also lets you change the keyframe type to control the animation speed and pacing. As a result, your videos look smoother and more natural, giving them a professional and aesthetic look. Follow the steps given below to use Filmora to add a keyframe path curve in your videos.
Step 1. Create a New Project in Filmora
To commence the process, you need to launch Filmora’s desktop version on your PC. From the main page, click the “New Project” button to access the editing screen of the software.
Step 2. Import Your Target Video in Filmora
When the editing window appears on your screen, press the “Import” button to add the video file to the software. From your storage drive, select the targeted video and drag it to the tool’s timeline tab.
Step 3. Resize and Reposition the Video
In this step, you need to resize the video from the canvas according to your needs. Within the right-side settings panel, use the “Diamond” button beside the “Position” option to add keyframe position.
Step 4. Add Path Curve and Save Your Video
You need to play the video for a few seconds and add another keyframe using the same “Diamond” button after repositioning the video. Once done, toggle on the “Path Curve” button from the right menu to see the path and finalize the whole process. In the end, utilize the “Export” button to take the edited video out of the tool’s editing space and save it on your PC.
For those who prefer a visual demonstration, the following video tutorial walks you through the entire process of using keyframes in Filmora to create smooth, curved animations for your clips.
Conclusion
We hope this post has helped you learn how to curve an image in Photoshop. The best part about it? It's easy to do, and you can do it quickly. So, don't wait another minute! Get out there and start curving your images today (we know we are).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. In Photoshop, what's the difference between bending and distorting an image?
They are different functions within the Warp Tool. According to the tutorial, Bending creates the main curve or arc in the image. Distorting, such as "Horizontal Distortion," changes the perspective by making one side of the image appear larger or smaller than the other, while "Vertical Distortion" can make the image look like it's leaning backward or forward.
2. Can I use the Warp Tool to bend an image into a perfect circle?
The standard Warp Tool is excellent for creating arcs and simple curves, but it is not designed to easily bend a rectangular image into a perfect circle. Achieving a circular shape typically requires more advanced techniques in Photoshop, such as using the "Polar Coordinates" filter (Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates) on a properly prepared image.
