Adobe photoshop elements User Manual

CHAPTER 6

The 3D Transform filter lets you manipulate a flat, 
two-dimensional image as if it were a solid, three-
dimensional object. Take, for example, a 
perspective photograph of a cereal box. You specify 
the corners of the box using a wire frame, and you 
can then manipulate the box as if it were a three-
dimensional object. You can reposition the box, 
turn or rotate it, shrink or enlarge it, and change 
its field of view.

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 shapes whose sides are lathed, 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.

Select the layer, area, or shape you want to 

transform. (See “Specifying what to transform” on 
page 126.)

Do one of the following:

Choose Filter > Render > 3D Transform.

Double-click 3D Transform in the Filters palette.

Drag the 3D Transform thumbnail from the 

Filters palette to the image.

Select one of these 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.

Drag to create a cubic, cylindrical, or spherical 

wire frame over the image.

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.

Manipulate the object in three dimensions, as 

described later in this section.

Click OK.

Select the selection tool ( ) or direct selection 

tool ( ) in the 3D Transform dialog box.

Do either of the following:

Drag an edge of the wire frame to move the 

entire frame.

With the direct selection tool, drag an 

anchor point on the wire frame to move that 
anchor point.