6.2.6 Distort

The Distort tool allows you to distort layers by using a grid. On selecting the tool a simple frame with 4 handles is drawn around the layer. You can now modify this frame and the layer will accordingly change its appearance.

The Distort tool has two subtools:

• Edit
Edit allows you to modify the existing grid - in the simpliest case that is just a frame. Edit works like Edit Vector Points (see chapter 6.4.1).
• Insert Vector Points
With Insert Vector Points you can insert new knots, and thus extend the grid. By holding Alt you can use this function without explicitly selecting it.

If you are distorting an image layer, you can lighten the result. For this PhotoLine is calculating a pseudo-height based on the strength of the distortion. Height: controls, how PhotoLine is calculating this height. Just choose the version you like most. Height: is also important, if the distortion is overlapping.

If you intend to use Distort, you should know the following:

• Distort is a lossless tool. You can undo the distortion any time by deleting the Distort entry in the Layer Attributes (see chapter 4.11) palette.
• If you want to permanently apply a distortion to a layer, you can use the menu command "Layer > Fix Layer" (see chapter 7.5.24).