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This tutorial demonstrates how to perspectively deform a DVD insert utilising the Vanishing Point command. To work along exactly, you can download the start images Here. Unzip the file and open the images onto Photoshop’s workspace. Alternatively, create your own DVD insert, and open it onto Photoshop’s workspace.
Note
The Vanishing Point command has a learning curve, and although it is not a difficult command to master; be prepared to practise this technique a few times. After three or four practises, you will understand its concept, and be able perspectively warp your images, effortlessly and with accuracy. This is a tool well worth mastering. For the reason I have mentioned, I am leaving this tutorial, unchanged.
Undo and Navigation Steps
Two ways of undoing steps are from the top menu, Edit then Step Backwards. Alternatively, click a previous snapshot in the History Palette.
Navigate (zoom in and pan) your image using the Navigator Palette,
or the Zoom Tool. 
Activate The Hand Tool by tapping the Spacebar, keeping the Spacebar pressed, pan your image in the usual way. 
1/
Your blank DVD and photographic insert will be open on Photoshop’s workspace.
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Creating inserts from scratch
Open a New document, with a White background, and set the following measurements; 303.74 mm Wide X 203.91 mm Height, (this is the correct measurements for my blank DVD box). Set the Resolution to 300 pixels per inch, then open two photographs onto your workspace. Now, using both the Move Tool and Free Transform command, drag (then position), your photographs onto the white rectangular document - apply your type horizontally, and with the Free Transform command, swivel it to an upright position, then finish by flattening the layers.
Note
Because the DVD case has three sides you will open the Vanishing Point command three times.
2/
Activate the DVD Insert image, and keep the Blank DVD Case open on your workspace. Then from the toolbar, activate the Rectangular Marquee Tool - and drag a rectangular marquee around just the left insert, as illustrated below.
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3/
Copy this rectangular selection to Windows Clipboard by pressing Ctrl then C.
You will retrieve this selection in Chapter 7.
4/
Now, activate the Blank DVD Case image, then from the top menu, choose Filter then choose Vanishing Point and a large Vanishing Point dialogue box will open. From its
left-side panel, click the Create Plane tool - as illustrated below.
You are looking to click a blue line around the right DVD panel, therefore, hover your cursor over the following corner, then left-click.
Tip
You can retrace your steps at any time, by pressing your keyboard’s Backspace key.
Now (similar to the Polygonal Lasso Tool), stretch a blue line over the edge of the case, down to the bottom-right. Then left-click to place a white square to the bottom-right corner, as indicated below.
Leaving a slight gap at the bottom, (so the insert looks realistic), left-click, then stretch a blue line across the bottom of the case - towards the left, as illustrated below.
Then left-click to apply a white square to the bottom-left corner, illustrated below.
Now, stretching the blue line upwards, left-click to place a white square to the
top-left corner. You have now applied a blue rectangular line around the right panel.
After left-clicking to complete the circuit, a (meshed) plane will be applied over the right panel. The grid’s size can be changed by altering the Grid Size tab.
Note
A red or yellow plane indicates a problem with the plane’s position - if you see red, or yellow, instead of blue, press your Backspace key, and reapply the plane.
Tip
After it has been applied, you can reposition the meshed plane by left-clicking and dragging a white anchor point; the plane will move in the anchor point’s direction.
After you have applied (and are happy with) your plane’s position - you are ready for the next step.
5/
Working in the large Vanishing Point dialogue, click the Create Plane Tool
icon. 
This time, you are looking to isolate the rectangular spine area with a plane. Therefore, left-click and apply a blue line around it - clicking white anchor points onto each corner, exactly as you did with the right panel. Remember to press your Backspace key to go back a step or two - if you make a mistake.
Note
The following red plane indicates it has not been aligned correctly. If this happens, press your Backspace key, then reactivate the Create Plane Tool, and reapply the plane.
After you have correctly applied the centre spine plane, you are ready for the next step.
Remember
If necessary, you can reposition the plane by manoeuvring the white squares - it is important to position each plane as close as possible to one another.
6/
Working in the Vanishing Point dialogue - click the Create Plane Tool icon.
This time, click white squares onto each corner of the left-side panel - stretching the blue line, as you work - exactly as you did with the right-side DVD case. Remember to manoeuvre the plane by moving the white squares.
When you have completed this, you are ready for the next step.
Tip
You can reactivate any of the planes by clicking inside them - you can then alter their positions by moving the white rectangles.
Very Important
Before proceeding, it is crucial that you position the overlapping edges of the three planes as close together as possible - demonstrated below.
7/
It is time to retrieve the rectangular selection you copied to Windows Clipboard in Chapter 3. Therefore, press Ctrl then V. This pastes the left-side sleeve into the Vanishing Point’s workspace - illustrated below.
Now, left-click and grab your left-side insert, and position it over the left-side DVD panel. Moving it over the plane will snap it inside, and arrange it perspectively.
8/
From the left-side panel, click the following Transform Tool icon - or press your keyboard’s T key.
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You will notice the selection marquee that surrounds your photograph has eight white rectangle boxes. By manoeuvring these boxes, you are looking to reduce the photograph’s size, so it fits the panel, precisely. Remember to hold the Shift key if you want to resize your insert proportionally.
Note
This tools works in the same way as the Free Transform command.
 
Note
Ensure your insert is positioned as close as possible to (but not beyond) the blue line.
9/
Now you have positioned, and perspectively positioned the left-side photograph, it is time to click OK.
As long as you don’t close Photoshop, (or the DVD image), the Vanishing Point will retain your three planes.
10/
Activate the insert image, and remove the selection marquee, (Ctrl then D). And with the Rectangular Marquee Tool, surround the centre (text) spine with a marquee. Now, press Ctrl then C to copy it to Windows Clipboard - exactly as you did for the left-side panel in Chapter 2.
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11/
Activate the Blank DVD image, then activate the Vanishing Point command - and press Ctrl then V to paste your centre spine into the Vanishing Point’s workspace. Now, drag the centre spine into the corresponding plane - as you did with the left-side panel. Then activate the Transform Tool, and resize the spine so it fits inside the plane, precisely - just as you did with the left-side panel, in Chapter 8. When you happy with its position, click OK.
  
12/
Now, (remove the marquee Ctrl then D) and isolate the right-side image with a Rectangular Marquee, and press Ctrl then C to copy it to Windows Clipboard.
13/
Activate the Blank DVD image, then activate the Vanishing Point command, and press Ctrl then V to paste the right insert into its workspace. Now, drag the insert into the
right-side plane - moving it around so it snaps inside it perspectively.
14/
From the left-side panel, activate the Transform Tool, and transform the image so it fits inside the right-side plane, snugly.
Then click OK.
15/
Your completed DVD cover will open on Photoshop’s workspace. From the top menu, choose Filter then choose Sharpen and apply a Sharpening filter of your choice, I chose Smart Sharpen.
If necessary, activate the Blur Tool, and with a very low Strength, blend away sharp or ragged edges.
16/ Optional
Isolate the DVD’s insert with the Polygonal Lasso Tool.
Then from the top menu, choose Filter then choose Artistic then choose Plastic Wrap. I chose the following settings.
 
17/ Clone Tool
If necessary, tidy your DVD by activating the Polygonal Lasso Tool, then Zoom into your image. Now, isolate areas that have overlapped, as demonstrated below.
 
Then activate the Clone Stamp Tool - and carefully clone out the overlapping areas, demonstrated above right. To finish, press Ctrl then D, then save your work.
Wendi E M Scarth. Top of Page - Home.
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