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I have a rectangular image which I'd like to distort so that it fits into a shape. I can almost do it using "Distort", but I need to move more than just the corners, which is all I can seem to do using distort. The midpoints just scale along that direction.

This is approximatly what I want to achieve: What I want

There'd probably be more distortion, but I painted this by hand... I can use either Photoshop or Illustrator, if either one is more suited.

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This is easily achieved in Illustrator using Envelope Distort:

  1. Draw your pattern/shape/whatever to be warped

    Pattern to warp

  2. Draw the shape to guide the warping

    Guide shape

  3. Select both object (with guide shape on top) and use Tools ⇒ Envelope Distort ⇒ Make With Top Object (keyboard shortcut Alt + Ctrl + C)

    Warped!

The default options may make the edges too smooth for your taste. Check Object ⇒ Envelope Distort ⇒ Envelope Options. Higher fidelity = sharper corners.

You can do a lot o' cool stuff with Envelope Distort... GD Flag

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  • No question about it. The PS distort would be a nightmare for this. (You could get there using Vanishing Point, I think, but it would be tricky, not to mention tedious.)
    – Alan Gilbertson
    Jul 9, 2011 at 22:41

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