Creative Effects > Warper > Modifying a Mesh >
Warping with the Magnet Tool

Use the Magnet tool to define the shape of the warped image. The Magnet tool warps the area of the mesh under the Magnet. You can set the size of the Magnet and define its effect on the selected area.

Note that the Magnet's effect is most noticeable when the selected area includes many control points (that is, when the grid has many patches, when you are using a large Magnet, or both).

To use the Magnet tool:

1. In the Warper menu, click Magnet.
2. Place the cursor over the mesh and adjust the Magnet size by pressing Ctrl+S and dragging.
3. Place the Magnet over the control points you want to warp and click.

   The affected control points turn red.

4. Drag the Magnet to produce the effect you want.
   NoteBy default, the Magnet translates the mesh. To scale or rotate the mesh, select the Scale or the Rotate option in the selection box beside the Magnet button.

Customizing the Magnet's Effect

You can customize the Magnet's effect by changing the shape of the curve in the Magnet Curve Editor. Note that, by default, the Magnet has the greatest effect on the pixels at the centre of the Magnet and the least effect on the pixels at its perimeter.

To customize the Magnet's effect:

1. In the Warper menu, click MEditor.

   The Magnet Curve Editor appears.

   (a) Edit Mode box

2. Adjust the shape of the Magnet curve.

   You can also use the Edit Mode options to modify the curve.

   NoteYou can save and load custom Magnet settings using the Save and Load buttons in the Magnet Curve Editor.

Tips and Tricks

You can experiment with the Magnet curve to achieve different effects.

(a) Point representing effect at the Magnet's centre(b) Point representing effect at the Magnet's perimeter

- Invert the curve to affect the pixels at the perimeter of the Magnet more than those at the centre.
- Flatten the curve along the horizontal axis to have the same effect on all pixels under the Magnet.
- Add extra control points and create a sine or wave curve to make the control points move in opposite directions.
- Move the curve into the negative horizontal axis to create a magnet with an opposing magnetic effect.