Using the 3D Transform filter

You can transform a two-dimensional object into a cube, sphere, or cylinder and manipulate it using wire frames based on that shape. Cylinders can include anything from simple objects, such as a can of soup, to more complex shapes, such as a bottle or a lamp.

You can create and manipulate any grouping of cubes, spheres, and cylinders in the same image. For example, you can create and rotate a box, three spheres, and a bottle together in the same image.


3D Transform Filter A. Image of 2D label B. Cylinder wireframe in 3D transform preview C. Tilting the bottle by using Track Ball tool D. Completed Image with Lens Flare effect applied

To transform and manipulate an object in three dimensions:

1. Select the layer, area, or shape you want to transform.
2. Choose Filter > Render > 3D Transform.
3. Select one of the tools in the dialog box:
• Cube to map the image (such as a file cabinet) to a cubic surface.
• Sphere to map the image (such as a globe or ball) to a spherical surface.
• Cylinder to map the image (such as a can or bottle) to a cylindrical surface.
4. Drag to create a cubic, cylindrical, or spherical wire frame over the image.
5. Move or reshape the wire frame, as described later in this section. The anchor points should line up with the corners of the box, or the top and bottom of the sphere or cylinder you want to manipulate.
6. Manipulate the object in three dimensions, as described later in this section.
7. Click OK.

To move or reshape the wire frame:

1. Do either of the following:
• To move the entire frame, select the selection tool in the 3D Transform dialog box and drag an edge of the wire frame.
• To move an anchor point, select the direct selection tool in the 3D Transform dialog box and drag an anchor point on the wire frame.

Note: The wire frame turns red if you try to make a wire frame that is impossible to re-create in three dimensions.

2. If you are creating a complex cylinder, do any of the following:
• To add an anchor point, select the add anchor point tool in the dialog box, and click the right side of the wire frame. For example, you can add an anchor point to more closely fit the cylindrical wire frame to a picture of a bottle.
• To change an added anchor point from a smooth anchor point to a corner anchor point and vice versa, select the convert anchor point tool , and click the point. A smooth anchor point creates a gentle curve when you adjust it; a corner anchor point creates a sharp corner.
• To delete an added anchor point, select the delete anchor point tool , and click the point. You can delete only round or diamond-shaped points.
3. For Field of View, enter a value between 1 and 130. Alternatively, drag the pop-up slider to the left to increase the apparent field of view, or to the right to decrease it. This technique can make the wire frame fit the image better. If you know the field of view angle used to photograph the image, you can enter it here.

To manipulate the object in three dimensions:

Do any of the following in the 3D Transform dialog box:

• To move the object, click the pan camera tool  in the dialog box, and drag the object.
• To rotate the object in any direction, click the trackball tool , and drag the object.
• With any of the bottom four tools selected in the dialog box, enter a value between 0 and 99 for Dolly Camera. Alternatively, drag the slider to the left to magnify the transformed object, to the right to shrink it. This has the same effect as dollying, or moving, the camera further from or closer to the image.
• With any of the bottom four tools selected in the dialog box, enter a value between 1 and 130 for Field of View. Alternatively, drag the slider to the left to increase the apparent field of view, to the right to decrease it.

The 3D Transform dialog box previews only the active layer.

To delete a wire frame:

1. Select the selection tool in the 3D Transform dialog box.
2. Select the wire frame, and press Backspace (Windows) or Delete (Mac OS).