This tool is used for selecting, deselecting and manipulating Texture Mapping and Distort Grids. Use this tool to select and move a single node or a group of nodes, or indeed the whole grid.  

This multifunctional tool has three different modes:

• Select and move grid nodes - used to select and move individual nodes, or a full line of nodes
• Move grids - used to move the whole grid. It is impossible to move individual nodes when this mode is selected, and therefore provides a safe and easy way to move an entire grid
• Lasso for grid nodes - enables the user to select a group of nodes, which can then be moved independently from the rest of the grid

Moving a single node on a grid

This is generally used to make fine adjustments to a grid. It can be used to manipulate single points on large areas, but this is not advised because it will take a long time and can cause the transferred design to look quite rough. In most cases, it is best to use the gravity function to move a group of nodes, or to move whole lines of points first and then make the last adjustments with single points.

1. Choose the ‘Select and move grid nodes’ option from the Grid Selection Tool and move the cursor over an intersection between the cells. The cursor will change to a four-way arrow.
2. Click on a node and drag it to a new position. The grid cells will distort slightly as you move each node.
   
   

Selecting and moving a group of nodes

Using the ‘Lasso for grid nodes’ mode in the grid selection tool, you can select specific nodes to move as a group. This speeds up your workflow and reduces the need to move individual nodes, which can be time consuming. This method can be very useful for adding kinks and creases to draping fabrics.

1. Select the ‘Lasso for grid nodes’ mode from the Grid Selection Tool options.
2. Draw around the nodes you wish to move.
3. Click and drag the nodes to a new position.

Using the gravity function with the Grid Selection Tool

When the ‘Select and move grid nodes’ mode is selected, a floating window appears which contains settings for editing more than one point on the grid at once. Gravity helps you to move several points in one go giving smoother editing over a chosen radius of the grid and produces quicker end results.

Select your preferred brush shape, width and height to determine the area covered by the alterations. A larger brush size usually results in a more fluid grid movement. The chain icon to the right of the width and height dialogue boxes link the dimensions. Click this to unlink them, thus creating an oval gravity brush.

Moving a line of cells within a grid

This is usually done to create bends in grids which need to follow the folds in fabric, or curve round objects in the scene. Curves can be created across the whole grid using this method.

1. Choose the ‘Select and move grid nodes’ mode from the grid selection tool and move the cursor over one of the vertical or horizontal lines of the grid. The cursor changes to a pointing finger icon.
2. Click down and drag the line in the direction required.
3. Repeat with other lines to create folds or bends in the grid.

Click on a vertical line to move it up or down. Click on a horizontal line to move it left or right. Vertical lines can be moved sideways, but this may stretch one column of cells and squash the other column of cells, resulting in the design being distorted. A similar problem will occur if you move horizontal lines up or down - the rows of cells either side of the line will be distorted.

A grid drawn with the Rectangular Grid Tool can be bent round a corner using this method with both sets of horizontal and vertical lines. If each line is moved by a similar amount, the cells can remain approximately the same size, even though they are no longer square.

Moving the position of a whole grid

1. From the Grid Selection Tool, choose the ‘Move grids’ mode by clicking and holding on the tool in the Tools Palette, then move the cursor over the grid. The cursor will change to a four-way arrow.
2. Click down and drag the grid to a new position.

The whole grid is usually only moved when it has been positioned incorrectly on the image. It can be dragged to a new position to better fit the area to be mapped.

Locking nodes on a grid

Some grids often become complicated, particularly if you are working on a grid for a curtain. By locking some nodes in place, it becomes easier to manipulate the nodes around it without disturbing those already specifically placed.

To lock a node in place, activate your grid, and then ^ (control key) click over the node you wish to lock. This will open a contextual menu.

Choose 'Lock grid node'. The node will become red, and you will be unable to move it until you ^ (control key) click on it again, and choose unlock grid node.

Locked nodes are saved when the document is saved. If the whole grid is moved, then the locked node origins are ignored and will move with the rest of the grid. They will remain non-editable once the grid is moved to it’s new location.

To unlock multiple nodes in one go, ^ (control key) click on a locked node and choose 'Clear all locks' from the contextual menu.

Twisting a grid to fit a different angle

This is a very useful editing technique for turning flat, rectangular grids around to fit a different angle, such as a bed that has been photographed at an angle.

1. Choose the grid selection tool and move the cursor to one of the corners of the grid.
2. Hold down ⌥ (option key) and the cursor will change to a double headed arrow icon.
3. Click on the corner of the grid and drag it to the new position needed.
4. Repeat Steps 1 to 3 with the other corners until the grid is facing the right direction and follows the angles of the object. It may be useful to to draw guide lines prior to twisting the grid so that you can follow the angle and perspective of the object.

Identifying the origin of a grid

When creating new grids or editing a grid someone else has created, it is important to know where the starting point of the grid is. This is because when designs transfer into grids, they use the origin of the grid as the starting point of the transfer and thus determine the direction that the pattern appears on the grid. The starting point, or origin, of a grid is indicated with a red node at the corner. 

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