Get precise distortions with Split Warp

Last updated on Oct 28, 2025

Understand the ways to refine warps in Adobe Photoshop by splitting meshes, adjusting Bezier handles, and controlling anchor point behavior.

Find keyboard shortcuts and techniques for precise control when using Split Warp to create complex distortions in Photoshop.

UI option	Windows	macOS
Split warp crosswise at the cursor location	Ctrl-click on the mesh	command-click on the mesh
Split warp vertically near the horizontal grid line	Ctrl-click near the edge of the horizontal grid line	command-click near the edge of the horizontal grid line
Split warp horizontally near the vertical grid line	Ctrl-click near the edge of the vertical grid line	command-click near the edge of the vertical grid line
Quickly toggle through split warp options without returning to the menu bar.	Ctrl-click	command-click

UI option	Windows	macOS
Bezier handle modes	Move control handles independently while applying Split Warp using shortcuts.	Move control handles independently while applying Split Warp using shortcuts.
Unison (circle icon)	All handles move together when one is moved.	All handles move together when one is moved.
Independent (square icon)	Each handle moves independently of the other handles at the anchor point.	Each handle moves independently of the other handles at the anchor point.
Toggle handle state	Alt-click on the anchor point.	option-click on the anchor point.
Convert Warp Anchor Point	Ctrl-right-click on the anchor point and then select Convert Warp Anchor Point.	ctrl-right-click on the anchor point and then select Convert Warp Anchor Point.

UI option	Windows	macOS
Corner anchor points	Independent movement by default.	Independent movement by default.
Edge/Side anchor points	Unison movement of the vertical/horizontal pair by default.	Unison movement of the vertical/horizontal pair by default.
Interior/Inner anchor points	Unison movement for each handle by default.	Unison movement for each handle by default.
Multi-select	Shift-click multiple anchor points to change movement for all.	shift-click numerous anchor points to change movement for all.

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