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The Design Center, DT&G / Photoshop Department / Image to Surface in Photoshop / Transform Art onto the Surface  

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Transforming Art to Fit a Shape

Now we'll put the art onto the surface of the book...

Before scaling the original into position for the book, I first did a bit of sharpening using the Unsharp Mask (Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask). Knowning that reducing the image would increase density, I went to the Levels dialog (Image > Adjustments > Levels, or Cmd/L , Ctrl/L) and did a bit of lightening to compensate.

Now, again we scale the image using the Move Tool, Cmd/T to transform, and drag with the shift key.

scale the image

Let's just get close. The final adjustments will be in the distortion.

The image has to be split into the two book covers. I just made a rough guess as to "half" the image. You can measure to be more precise... but after all, this is just a game.

First I moved the original image layer above the book guide. The next series of steps is the fun part.

I selected half the original image, and this time went to :
Bullet Edit > Transform > Distort
... which gives me four live handles I can drag anywhere I want.
 

transform to distort

Using each handle in turn, I dragged until the corner of the now emerging book cover would fall close to the cover guide. You can drag those in until you see your guide, and then drag back out to the corners.

One by one, drag and correct each corner until the book cover is in position.

Now... make the other cover in the same steps.

Modify the Guy to fit the Book...

Once finished, I liked the book -- BUT -- there was now another problem: the book is too big for the guy. I would have to open his arms up a bit so the hands holding the book would look convincing.

With the book ready, we turn off that layer. We're done with the book guide, so its layer can be deleted. Now we go to work on the guy. ...

drag handles to shape

Using the Lasso tool I struck a selection that would be all but hidden by the book, yet move the hand and arm into a realistic position to "hold" the book.
Bullet Lasso - select, tap "V" for the move tool and drag.
Bullet Same for the other hand.

Move the other hand

Now with the Book Cover in place, we're ready to finish up...

NEXT: Tweaking to Fit...

Please note that all images created in Photoshop Tennis are the exclusive property of the artists, ©2006, All Rights Reserved. If you wish to participate in Photoshop Tennis, you must be a member and subscriber to the Design Cafe. This tutorial is the exclusive property of Fred Showker, ©2006, All Rights Reserved.

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