How do you create a droplet-style displacement that warps text in Photoshop?

Hi!

Have you tried using the Liquify tool?

Here is an example:

You will need to rasterize your type, then place just the portion of it that you want to distort on a separate layer. For this example, I used a Elliptical Marquee and then chose Layer Via Cut. The take that layer into Liquify and use the Bloat tool

Make the brush size the same size as the circle of type you cut, and then just place the Bloat tool over the area, hold down the mouse, and watch the type distort until you are satisfied with the results.

You can also create non circular areas by pressing the Bloat tool multiple times on different parts of an image.

Have fun, and let us know if that works for the effect you want to create.

Also, If you are looking to create more of a warped effect--have you tried the Warp Text tool?

Michelle

The Displacement Map may need to be improved (obviously) but in principle a lens-effect seems possible up to a certain size. 

I don’t quite understand the example you posted as I fail to perceive a »droplet«-like distortion. 

Could you please elaborate?