Mesh Overview

A mesh is a deformation grid you put on a layer. It bends the rendered strokes after the fills have already read the image and drawn everything — it only moves things around, it doesn't change any tones.

Use one when you want flat vector strokes to follow a curved surface: wrap them around a form, fake some perspective, or fold and warp the result.

How mesh works

The mesh sits on top of the layer's fills. The fills render first, then the mesh distorts what they drew, so you can work on the pattern and the distortion separately.

Vexy Lines comes with mesh templates for common starting shapes. After you add one, you move its points, reshape its edges, add control points, and keep refining the distortion until it sits right.

When to use a mesh

• Bend strokes around a face, object, or surface.
• Add perspective or a sense of depth.
• Give flat line artwork some volume.
• Distort several fills on one layer together.
• Build folded or overlapping effects, with hidden strokes removed.

Mesh and masks

If the layer also has a mask, you choose whether it stays put or moves with the mesh. Use the Pinned option when the visible area should travel along with the distorted artwork.