Selections are a fundamental part of the AVA software. They are required to complete certain functions in the software but they are also extremely useful in helping you achieve exciting design effects. It is important to master using selections in your working methods to make your work flows more effective.

Opened by select Edit Menu > Select > Distort, this option distorts the current selection using a grid layer. Individual points on the grid can be moved in different directions to alter the design within. Hold down the Command key and press 8 on the keyboard as a short cut for this function. You can also distort selections using the Distort Tool.

Setting up the Settings

Before using this method, the Distort Settings should be set up to meet your requirements.

Go to AVA Menu > Settings > Distort.  The following window will open:

• Number of grids across - this is the number of cells used across the distort grid you draw.  If you feel the grid you draw does not have enough cells, simply remove that grid, increase this number and re-draw the grid. Alternatively, if you feel the grid you draw is too dense, simply remove the grid, decrease this number and re-draw the grid
• Auto render - choose when the distortion happens
  • Off - switches rendering off and the changes will not be seen until you apply the distortion using the shortcut Cmd 9, or go to Edit Menu > Select > Apply Distortion
  • On - will show the distortion in real time as you drag the nodes and lines of the distortion grid
  • At end of dragging - will show the distortion as soon as you stop dragging a node or line

Distorting a selected area

• Select an area using any of the selection tools.
• Go to Edit Menu > Select > Distort. A grid is placed over the selection and a Grid layer is added at the bottom of the layer list in the Layers Palette.
• The Grid Selection Tool is automatically selected in the Tools Palette and is used to manipulate the grid. A floating window will also open when the Grid Selection Tool is selected.
• Toggle gravity on and off according to the work you are doing.  With this option selected, you are able to specify the size of your cursor.

Moving individual points and lines

Distort the selected elements using the techniques below.

• Points - place the cursor over one of the points on the grid. The cursor will change to a bold cross. Click down on the point and drag it. You will see the grid cells around the point moving and changing shape as you move.
• Lines - place the cursor over a horizontal or vertical line on the grid. The cursor will change to a pointing finger. Drag the line up, down or across. The whole line will move.

1. Go to Edit Menu > Select > Apply Distortion when you are happy with the effect you have created. This will apply the distortion to the active image or layers.
2. Go to Edit Menu > Select > None to deselect the area.

Gravity

Several cells and points are moved in one go giving smoother editing over a chosen radius of the grid and quicker end results (this is generally the best method to use). Once 'Gravity' is activated, select your preferred brush shape, width and height which determines the area covered by the distortion. A larger brush size usually results in a more fluid distortion. When the oval shape is selected, the slider at the bottom of the window can be altered to changed the brush height in relation to the entered brush width.

Spline grids

Spline Grids increase the fluidity of a distortion when applied with the standard grids, making it easy to edit your designs quickly and authentically.

1. Set the number of cells you want across your grid in the settings window
2. Make a selection using either the lasso, rectangular selection or magic wand tool, then go to Edit Menu > Select > Distort
3. Go to the Grid Menu and select Convert to Spline Grid.  Each cell of your existing grid is automatically subdivided into 8 smaller cells.

Use the gravity function with the Grid Selection Tool to manipulate the grid.