Photoshop Basics

Photoshop Basics

Getting Started• FILE>New• Make Project Settings• Transparent or White (when

you might use either)• Canvas size?• Resolution? Web 72• File imports (use higher

resolution images)• Save as psd (to work/go back)• JPEG or PNG > when? (chose interlace PNG for web)

Layers Upon Layers – Name Them/Unlock Them!

Multiple Selection Options: Marquis and Lasso Tools

FIRST LASSO CONTINUOUS, OTHERS POINT TO POINT, DOUBLE CLICK TO FINISH

Pen tool for selection

• Just click around the object to create points

• Right click>make selection

• Can set feather radius, lower number = sharper edge, higher number = softer

Tools – Quick Selection/Magic Wand

• FOR BOTH CAN ADD AND SUBTRACT TO SELECTION IN UPPER LEFT

• FOR MAGIC WAND ADJUST TOLERANCE RANGE

• FOR BOTH CAN REFINE EDGES

Move and Transform (as in Pixlr)

Multiple Paths to Find ToolsLayer Style Example

• Double Click Layer Image • Upper Tabs/Drop down menus

Use Shapes, Track and Move Through History

Working with Text

• Window>Workspace>Typography• Text Tool from tool menu

(or shortcut T)• Creates a new layer• To warp text, on the layer

and text tool selected, select warp and adjust

Quick Tips• Apple/Command J on layer> copy• Apple + > Zoom in, Apple - > Zoom out• Zoom + hand tool > move around canvas/isolate area to work

on (space bar also gives you hand tool)• Apple Z >undo and redo, to go back more than one step use

history.• To Deselect (get out of something) Apple D (Select D)• Click on icons in layers to reveal/hide other layers• Alt key plus icon in layer, reveals only what is in that layer• Eyedropper tool picks up color from anywhere to match or paint• Reverse background/foreground colors with X key• Adjust brush size with [ and ] keys (smaller and larger)