Learning Adobe Photoshop Elements 6
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Guided Computer Tutorials
Learning Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 By Greg Bowden
PUBLISHED BY GUIDED COMPUTER TUTORIALS PO Box 311 Belmont, Victoria, 3216, Australia www.gct.com.au © Greg Bowden This product is available in Single or Multi User versions. Single-user versions are for single student or teacher use at any particular time, just as a single text book would be used. If you intend to use the notes with multiple students the single user version should be upgraded to the multi-user version. Multi-user versions allow the school or institution to print as many copies as required, or to place the PDF files on the school network, intranet and staff laptops. A certificate of authentication is provided with multi-user versions. Bookmarks provide links to all headings and sub-headings, and individual chapters are provided.
First published 2008 ISBN: Module 1 1 921217 60 X Module 2: 1 921217 61 8
PDF document on CD-ROM
Every effort has been made to ensure that images used in this publication are free of copyright, but there may be instances where this has not been possible. Guided Computer Tutorials would welcome any information that would redress this situation.
Learning Photoshop Elements 6 Module 1 Contents Chapter 1: Introduction to Photoshop and Layers Starting Photoshop Elements................................................................1-1 The Tools Palette......................................................................................1-3 Using the Tools........................................................................................1-3 Layers........................................................................................................1-7 Loading a Sample File............................................................................. 1-7 Looking at the Layers............................................................................. 1-8 Layer Visibility......................................................................................... 1-9 Locking Layers....................................................................................... 1-10 Naming Layers ..................................................................................... 1-11 Deleting Layers...................................................................................... 1-12 Adding a New Layer............................................................................ 1-13 The Layer Order..................................................................................... 1-15 Layer Opacity......................................................................................... 1-16
Screen Views..........................................................................................1-17 The Zoom Tool.......................................................................................1-19 The Hand Tool.......................................................................................1-20 The Navigator Palette . ........................................................................1-21 Photoshop Assignment 1....................................................................1-23
Chapter 2: Selecting Parts of Images Loading a Sample Image........................................................................2-1 The Editing Tools.....................................................................................2-2 The Edit Marquee . .................................................................................2-3 The Rectangular Marquee Tool............................................................. 2-3 The Elliptical Marquee Tool................................................................... 2-4
Deselecting Objects.................................................................................2-5 The Lasso Tools........................................................................................2-6 The Lasso Tool.......................................................................................... 2-6 The Polygon Lasso Tool.......................................................................... 2-7
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Learning Photoshop Elements 6 The Quick Selection Tool........................................................................2-9 Selecting the Cat...................................................................................... 2-9 Adjusting the Selection ........................................................................ 2-12 Refining the Edges................................................................................. 2-13
Feathering the Selection.......................................................................2-14 Adding the Image to a Background ..................................................2-15 Resizing Images . ..................................................................................2-16 Saving the Document...........................................................................2-17 The Magic Wand Tool...........................................................................2-18 Photoshop Assignment 2....................................................................2-22
Chapter 3: Modifying Images Selecting the Correct Layer....................................................................3-1 The Liquify Filter.....................................................................................3-1 The Hand Tool.......................................................................................... 3-2 The Warp Tool.......................................................................................... 3-3 The Reconstruction Tool......................................................................... 3-5 Twirling..................................................................................................... 3-6 The Pucker Tool....................................................................................... 3-7 The Bloat Tool........................................................................................... 3-8 The Shift Pixels Tool................................................................................ 3-9 The Reflection Tool................................................................................ 3-10
Completing the Liquify Effect.............................................................3-11 The Filter Gallery..................................................................................3-12 Artistic and Brush Stroke Filters......................................................... 3-12 Undoing an Effect.................................................................................. 3-13 Distort . ................................................................................................... 3-14 Sketch ..................................................................................................... 3-14 Stylise ..................................................................................................... 3-15 Texture . .................................................................................................. 3-15
The Effects Palette.................................................................................3-16 Photoshop Assignment 3....................................................................3-18
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Contents Chapter 4: The Drawing Tools Starting a Blank Document....................................................................4-1 Drawing Normal Shapes........................................................................4-1 Drawing Rectangles................................................................................ 4-1 Rectangle Styles....................................................................................... 4-2 Using the Effects Palette......................................................................... 4-4 Creating Buttons...................................................................................... 4-5 Creating a Rollover Button..................................................................... 4-7 Removing Styles and Effects.................................................................. 4-8
Custom Shapes........................................................................................4-9 Selecting a Shape..................................................................................... 4-9 Other Custom Shapes........................................................................... 4-11
Creating Custom Borders or Frames..................................................4-12 Creating a Frame................................................................................... 4-12 Adjusting the Frame.............................................................................. 4-14 Adding a Picture to the Frame............................................................ 4-15
Photoshop Assignment 4....................................................................4-17
Chapter 5: Combining Shapes Starting a New Document.....................................................................5-1 Creating a Combined Shape..................................................................5-1 Drawing a Rectangle............................................................................... 5-1 Cutting a Shape Out of the Rectangle.................................................. 5-2 Adding Shapes to Shapes....................................................................... 5-3 Subtracting From the Shape................................................................... 5-4 Intersecting Shapes.................................................................................. 5-5
Exercise 5-1...............................................................................................5-6 Using Shapes With Photographs..........................................................5-6 Loading the Image................................................................................... 5-6 Magnifying the Head of the Cat . ......................................................... 5-7 Adding the Shapes.................................................................................. 5-8 Excluding Part of the Circle................................................................... 5-9 Adding to the Magnifying Glass......................................................... 5-10
The Cookie Cutter Tool........................................................................5-11 Photoshop Assignment 5....................................................................5-14
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Learning Photoshop Elements 6 Chapter 6: Adding Text to Designs Starting a New Document.....................................................................6-1 Entering Text............................................................................................6-1 Altering Text............................................................................................6-2 Warping Text............................................................................................6-3 Single Arced Text .................................................................................... 6-3 Multiple Arcs............................................................................................ 6-6 3-Dimensional Effects............................................................................. 6-6 Text Orientation....................................................................................... 6-7
Vertical Text..............................................................................................6-7 Adding Effects to Text............................................................................6-8 Adjusting the Styles................................................................................6-9 Creating a Poster...................................................................................6-11 Entering the Main Heading................................................................. 6-11 Adjusting the Main Heading............................................................... 6-13 Entering the Sub Headings.................................................................. 6-14 Looking at the Layers........................................................................... 6-16
Printing...................................................................................................6-16 Photoshop Assignment 6....................................................................6-18
Chapter 7: Adjusting the Look of Images Loading a Sample File............................................................................7-1 The Blur Tool............................................................................................7-1 The Sharpen Tool.....................................................................................7-2 The Smudge Tool.....................................................................................7-3 The Sponge Tool......................................................................................7-4 The Burn Tool...........................................................................................7-5 The Dodge Tool.......................................................................................7-7 Gradient Fills...........................................................................................7-9 The Gradient Settings............................................................................. 7-9 Applying the Gradient.......................................................................... 7-10
Removing Backgrounds.......................................................................7-12 The Impressionist Brush.......................................................................7-13 The Red Eye Removal Tool..................................................................7-14 Photoshop Assignment 7....................................................................7-16
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Contents Chapter 8: Combining Photographs Photomerging..........................................................................................8-1 Selecting the Photographs...................................................................... 8-1 Looking at the Photos............................................................................. 8-3
Cropping the Image................................................................................8-4 Photo Books.............................................................................................8-5 Open the Photos....................................................................................... 8-5 Creating the Photo Book......................................................................... 8-6 Looking at the Book................................................................................ 8-8
Photoshop Assignment 8....................................................................8-10
Chapter 9: Creating Masks Creating a Transparent Layer................................................................9-1 Drawing a Circular Selection Area.......................................................9-2 Filling the Selection Area.......................................................................9-2 Naming the Layer...................................................................................9-3 Adding a Background File.....................................................................9-3 Adjusting the Mask.................................................................................9-6 Other Masks.............................................................................................9-7 Creating the Mask Shape........................................................................ 9-7 Inserting a Photo...................................................................................... 9-8 Creating the Mask................................................................................... 9-9 Enhancing the Mask.............................................................................. 9-10
Photoshop Assignment 9....................................................................9-13
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Learning Photoshop Elements 6 Chapter 10: Saving Files Saving a Copy of a File.........................................................................10-1 Saving as a JPEG Format . ...................................................................10-2 Saving Images for the Web..................................................................10-3 Saving for the Web................................................................................ 10-3 JPEG or GIF Formats............................................................................. 10-4 Setting the Size of the Photograph...................................................... 10-4 Compression Settings........................................................................... 10-5 Optimizing the File Size....................................................................... 10-7 Previewing in a Browser....................................................................... 10-8 Saving...................................................................................................... 10-9
Photoshop Project 1
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Contents
Module 2 Contents Chapter 11: Repairing Parts of Images The Clone Stamp Tool...........................................................................11-1 Loading the Image................................................................................. 11-1 The Clone Stamp Settings.................................................................... 11-2 Cloning.................................................................................................... 11-3 Unaligned Cloning................................................................................ 11-5
Removing the Cat..................................................................................11-6 Cropping Images...................................................................................11-9 The Healing Brush Tool...................................................................... 11-11 The Spot Healing Brush Tool.............................................................11-13 Photoshop Assignment 11................................................................11-15
Chapter 12: Applying Filters Loading the Sample Photo...................................................................12-1 Selecting the Background ...................................................................12-1 Selecting the Car.................................................................................... 12-1 Setting the Feather................................................................................. 12-4 Showing the Selection........................................................................... 12-4
Applying a Gaussian Blur....................................................................12-4 Motion Blurs..........................................................................................12-6 Applying Filters on the Car.................................................................12-7 The Reduce Noise Filter....................................................................... 12-7 Applying a Lighting Effect Filter........................................................ 12-8
Photoshop Assignment 12................................................................12-10
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Learning Photoshop Elements 6 Chapter 13: Creating Balls and Spheres Starting a New Document...................................................................13-1 Filling the Layer....................................................................................13-2 Creating the Lighting and Reflection Effects....................................13-2 Completing the Effect...........................................................................13-3 Copying the Effect.................................................................................13-5 Starting a New Document...................................................................13-6 Changing the Ball Colour....................................................................13-7 Adding a Shadow.................................................................................13-8 Adding a Background........................................................................13-10 Linking Layers.....................................................................................13-11 Copying the Ball..................................................................................13-12 Photoshop Assignment 13................................................................13-16
Chapter 14: Artistic Filters Starting a New Document...................................................................14-1 Setting the Background........................................................................14-2 Creating the Ocean................................................................................14-3 Adding Perspective to the Ocean.......................................................14-5 Adding the Ship....................................................................................14-7 Resizing the Ship...................................................................................14-7 Adding Some Land to the Sketch.......................................................14-8 Copying the Land.................................................................................. 14-8 Blurring the Image................................................................................ 14-9 Adjusting the Land.............................................................................. 14-10
Creating the Port Hole........................................................................14-11 Drawing the Port Hole........................................................................ 14-11 Adding 3-D Effects.............................................................................. 14-13
Adjusting the Port Hole.....................................................................14-14 Photoshop Assignment 14................................................................14-16
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Contents Chapter 15: Adjustment Layers Brightness/Contrast layers..................................................................15-1 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 15-1 Inserting the Brightness/Contrast Layer........................................... 15-2 Displaying Part of the Background Layer......................................... 15-3 Adjusting the Brightness and Contrast.............................................. 15-5
Levels Layers.........................................................................................15-6 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 15-6 Inserting the Levels Layer.................................................................... 15-7
Applying Multiple Layers...................................................................15-8 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 15-8 Inserting a Brightness/Contrast Layer............................................... 15-9 Setting a Gradient Map Layer........................................................... 15-10 Colourizing the Face........................................................................... 15-11 Solid Colour Layers............................................................................. 15-12
Photoshop Assignment 15................................................................15-14
Chapter 16: Enhancing Photos of Faces Loading the Image................................................................................16-1 Duplicating the Layer...........................................................................16-2 Blurring the Image................................................................................16-2 Adding a Mask to the Layer................................................................16-3 Sharpening the Eyes.............................................................................16-4 Merging Layers......................................................................................16-5 Creating a Duplicate Layer..................................................................16-5 Enhancing the Eyes...............................................................................16-6 Selecting the White Eye Area............................................................... 16-6 Enhancing the White Area................................................................... 16-7 Enhancing the White in the Right Eye............................................... 16-8 Merging the Layers............................................................................... 16-9 Setting the Eye Colour to Blue........................................................... 16-10 Highlighting the Pupils...................................................................... 16-12 Setting the Eyes Behind the Eye Sockets.......................................... 16-13
Looking at the Original Face.............................................................16-15 Photoshop Assignment 16................................................................16-16
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Learning Photoshop Elements 6 Chapter 17: Using Rulers and Grids Starting a New Document...................................................................17-1 Setting the Ruler and Grid Units........................................................17-2 Turning on the Rulers and Grid..........................................................17-3 Creating the Front of the Box..............................................................17-3 Setting a Green Rectangle..................................................................... 17-3 Adding Highlights to the Front........................................................... 17-6 Copying the Highlight.......................................................................... 17-7
Creating the Side of the Box................................................................17-8 Adding an Image to the Front.............................................................17-9 Adding the Text...................................................................................17-10 Inserting the Front Text....................................................................... 17-10 Creating the Side Text......................................................................... 17-12
Merging the Layers.............................................................................17-13 Creating the Three Dimensional Effect............................................17-15 Adjusting the Front Rectangle........................................................... 17-15 Adjusting the Side Rectangle............................................................. 17-15
Checking the Box.................................................................................17-17 Photoshop Assignment 17................................................................17-18
Chapter 18: Enhancing Text Effects Starting a New Document...................................................................18-1 Creating the Brick Wall.........................................................................18-2 Setting the Gradient Colours............................................................... 18-2 Adding the Brick Texture..................................................................... 18-4 Selecting the Lighting........................................................................... 18-4
Adding the Graffiti...............................................................................18-5 Entering the Text.................................................................................... 18-5 Liquifying the Text................................................................................ 18-7 Adding Some Effects to the Text......................................................... 18-8
Photoshop Assignment 18................................................................18-10
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Contents Chapter 19: Photo Adjustments Lens Correction.....................................................................................19-1 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 19-1 Applying the Correct Camera Distortion Filter................................ 19-2 Adjusting the Vertical Perspective...................................................... 19-3 Interesting Lens Correction Effects..................................................... 19-5
The Auto Smart Fix Tool......................................................................19-7 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 19-7 Applying the Auto Smart Fix Tool...................................................... 19-8
The Unsharp Mask Tool.......................................................................19-9 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 19-9 Applying the Unsharp Mask Tool..................................................... 19-10
Levels Layers.......................................................................................19-10 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................. 19-10 Inserting the Levels Layer.................................................................. 19-11 Selecting the Colours in the Image................................................... 19-11 Accurately Selecting Colours............................................................. 19-13
Guided Mode.......................................................................................19-14 Photoshop Assignment 19................................................................19-16
Chapter 20: Useful Tools The Magic Extractor Tool.....................................................................20-1 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 20-1 Applying the Magic Extractor Tool..................................................... 20-1 Refining the Selection............................................................................ 20-4
The Magnetic Lasso Tool......................................................................20-5 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 20-5 Selecting the Cat.................................................................................... 20-6 Adjusting the Selection......................................................................... 20-8 Refining Edges..................................................................................... 20-10 Removing the Background................................................................. 20-10
The Colour Replacement Tool...........................................................20-12 The Straighten Tool.............................................................................20-13 Photoshop Assignment 20................................................................20-15
Photoshop Project 2
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Chapter
1
Introduction to Photoshop and Layers
Adobe Photoshop Elements is an advanced photo editing and graphics program that allows you to create or edit photo quality images. In this Chapter you will be introduced to its screen and some of its basic features, such as Layers. Layers are a vital part of using Photoshop and you need to develop an understanding of how to use them in order to use Photoshop effectively.
Starting Photoshop Elements 1
Load Photoshop Elements 6. 2 If you receive the WELCOME screen set the bottom left box to START UP WITH EDITOR and click on the EDIT button.
NOTE:
3
Setting the left box to START UP WITH EDITOR means that the program will open immediately in the EDITOR screen. The WINDOW menu can be used to reopen the WELCOME screen when needed.
Display the FILE menu, highlight NEW and select BLANK FILE. You will be asked to enter the required settings for the document. 4 Enter the NAME:
Intro
Set the WIDTH to 800 pixels, the HEIGHT to 600 pixels, the BACKGROUND CONTENTS to WHITE, leave the other default settings for now and select OK.
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A blank page should be created. 6 Click on the FULL button to open the FULL EDITOR screen if it is not already displayed.
7
The following diagram labels the sections of the FULL EDITOR screen.
Options Bar
Tools Palette
Document Window or Canvas Area
Screen Tabs
Palette Bin or Dock
Project Bin
NOTE:
i The Project Bin displays thumbnails of the files that you have open.
ii The Screen Tabs allow you to change the screen views between EDIT, CREATE and SHARE modes. Each of these modes have sub-tabs associated with them.
iii The Palette Bin displays palettes of tools and options. These palettes can be opened from the WINDOW menu.
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The Tools Palette The TOOLS palette at the left of the screen provides general drawing and photo adjustment tools. If you are using a large screen, the tools are displayed as a single column. If you are using a small screen, the tools in two columns. 1
In these tutorials the TOOLS palette will used as 2 columns.
2
Tools that have a small arrow next to them have more tools within them.
3 Click and hold on the LASSO tool the three lasso tool types will be displayed.
4
Click and hold on some of the other tools to see what extra tools they contain.
5
The letter displayed next to a tool when you click and hold on it is the keyboard shortcut to select the tool. Try pressing some letters and the tool corresponding to that letter should be selected.
6
Hold down the SHIFT key and press a letter. The tools within that tool group will be toggled.
Using the Tools We will have a quick look at some of Photoshop’s basic drawing tools. You may need to click and hold on a tool to select it, depending on who has used to program before you.
1 Select the BRUSH TOOL from the TOOLS palette.
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2 Draw some brush strokes on the canvas.
3 Select the SHAPES tool and drag a shape on the canvas. Your shape may be different to the rectangle drawn here.
4 Click and hold on the SHAPES TOOL, select the CUSTOM SHAPE TOOL and drag a shape on the screen.
NOTE:
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Your shape will probably be different to the one displayed. The SHAPE box in the OPTIONS BAR at the top of the screen can be used to select different shapes.
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5 Select the PENCIL TOOL from the BRUSH TOOL in the TOOLS palette and click on the canvas.
6 Sometimes the program will ask you to simplify a shape layer when a tool is to be used. Click on OK when this happens.
7 Drag some pencil lines on the canvas.
8 You can select a different BRUSH from the OPTIONS BAR. Click on the BRUSH box and select a medium sized brush.
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9 Draw some more pencil lines on the canvas - they should be a different thickness.
10 Click on the FOREGROUND COLOUR box at the base of the TOOLS palette, select a different colour and click on OK.
NOTE:
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You can use the vertical slider at the centre of the SELECT FOREGROUND COLOUR dialogue box to select different colour shades.
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11 Draw some different coloured lines on the canvas.
12 Display the FILE menu and select CLOSE to close the document. There is no need to save it.
Layers Layers are the building blocks of a Photoshop document so it is important that you develop an understanding of them. Think of layers as transparent or filled sheets that can be placed on top of one another. They allow you break a drawing up into small blocks that can be worked on individually. To illustrate the use of LAYERS, a document with a few layers will be opened from the PSE6 SUPPORT FILES.
A Loading a Sample File A simple poster for a travel agency has been prepared for you. It has a layer containing a photograph and another two layers containing text. 1
Display the FILE menu and select OPEN.
2 Access the PSE6 SUPPORT FILES, open the CHAPTER 1 folder and open the POSTER file.
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B Looking at the Layers
1 The LAYERS palette should be open at the bottom of the PALETTE BIN and the three layers displayed.
NOTE:
If the LAYERS palette is collapsed, click on its arrow to expand it. If the LAYER palette is not in the PALETTE BIN, display the WINDOW menu and select RESET PALETTE LOCATIONS to display the standard Photoshop Elements screen.
2 Select the MOVE TOOL from the TOOLS palette (the top left tool).
3 Select the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS layer in the LAYERS palette and try moving the text at the top left of the poster.
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4 Click on the LONDON, PARIS.... text and its layer is selected in the LAYERS palette
C Layer Visibility Layers can be turned off at any time and when this happens their contents are not seen in the document.
1 Click on the EYE symbol next to the LONDON, PARIS... layer and its contents will not be visible.
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2 Click on the VISIBILITY frame of the LONDON, PARIS... layer again to turn the layer back on.
NOTE:
When a layer is visible there is an eye marker in its VISIBILITY frame.
D Locking Layers Layers can be locked so that you don’t accidentally make changes to them.
Two buttons at the top of the LAYERS palette allow you to lock layers: LOCK TRANSPARENT PIXELS locks only the transparent background. LOCK ALL locks everything in the layer.
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Let’s lock the BACKGROUND layer so that it cannot be adjusted.
2 Click on the BACKGROUND layer then click on the LOCK ALL icon.
3 A LOCK symbol is added to the layer to indicate that it is locked. 4
Select the MOVE TOOL from the TOOLS palette and try to move the background. You should not be able to do so.
E Naming Layers It is good practice to name layers so that you know what their contents are. Let’s rename the BACKGROUND layer.
1 Double click on the BACKGROUND label in the LAYERS palette to highlight it.
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2 Enter the label: Image press <enter> or and the layer will be renamed.
F Deleting Layers Layers can be deleted when they are no longer needed. Let’s delete one of the text layers.
1 Click on the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS layer in the LAYERS palette.
2 Click on the DELETE LAYER icon at the top of the LAYERS palette followed by YES to the information dialogue box.
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3 The layer is removed from the LAYERS palette and its contents removed from the document.
4
Display the EDIT menu and select UNDO DELETE LAYER to return the layer and its contents to the document. There is also an UNDO button at the top right of the screen that can be used.
G Adding a New Layer Layers can be added as required using the CREATE A NEW LAYER icon. When new layers are added they are inserted above the selected layer in the LAYERS palette.
1 Select the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS layer in the LAYERS palette and click on the CREATE A NEW LAYER icon at the top of the palette.
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2 The new layer is added above the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS layer.
3 Double click on the LAYER 1 label, enter the name: Highlight and press <enter> or.
4 Select the BRUSH TOOL from the TOOLS palette and paint a line under the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS text.
5 The contents are stored in the HIGHLIGHT layer.
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H The Layer Order The order of the layers in the LAYERS palette is very important. The image is at the back of the drawing so it is the last (or bottom layer). If the image was at the top of the LAYERS palette you would not be able to see any of the other objects. You can easily alter the order of layers. It is called changing the LAYER STACKING ORDER.
1 Click on the IMAGE layer then drag it to the top of the LONDON, PARIS.... layer.
2 When you release the mouse button the contents of the other layers cannot be seen as the IMAGE layer is on top of them.
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I
Layer Opacity
The OPACITY of a layer is how transparent it is. The default layer OPACITY is 100% (no transparency) so the contents of the other layers cannot be seen through it. When you reduce the OPACITY of a layer you start to see the contents of other layers through it. Let’s reduce the OPACITY of the IMAGE layer so that the other layers can be seen.
1 Unlock the IMAGE layer by clicking on the LOCK ALL icon at the top of the LAYERS palette.
2 Click on the arrow next to the OPACITY box and drag the slider to about 80%.
3 Part of the contents of the other layers are now visible.
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4 Drag the IMAGE layer to the bottom of the layers in the LAYERS palette. The content of the other layers can now be fully seen, but the IMAGE layer is still at 80% opacity.
NOTE:
You will use many more layer features as you progress through these tutorials. For example, you can duplicate layers, add masks to layers, insert different types of layers and so on.
Screen Views You can zoom in or out of a document when more detailed work is required. 1
Display the VIEW menu and select ZOOM IN.
2 The screen in magnified.
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There are keyboard shortcuts to zoom in and out. On the Windows system hold down the CTRL key and press + to zoom in and - to zoom out. On the Macintosh system the COMMAND key is held down.
4 Press CTRL+ or COMMAND+ twice to zoom in two more levels.
5 Press CTRL- or COMMAND- three times to zoom back out.
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6 Press CTRL+0 or COMMAND+0 to set the view to FIT ON SCREEN.
NOTE:
FIT ON SCREEN sets the zoom to a level so that the canvas fills the available screen area.
The Zoom Tool The ZOOM TOOL allows you to select a section of the image to zoom in on.
1 Select the ZOOM TOOL from the TOOLS palette and drag a frame around the top of Big Ben.
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2 When you release the mouse button the screen is zoomed in on the selected area.
The Hand Tool The HAND TOOL allows you to scroll around a zoomed screen.
Select the HAND TOOL from the TOOLS palette and drag the screen to bring different parts of the document into view.
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The Navigator Palette The NAVIGATOR palette can be opened and docked into the PALETTE BIN. It can be used to navigate around a zoomed document. You can even control the zoom from this palette. 1
The screen should be zoomed. If it isn’t, press CTRL+ or COMMAND+ a few times to zoom the view.
2
Display the WINDOW menu and select NAVIGATOR. 3 The NAVIGATOR palette is added to the screen.
4 Drag the NAVIGATOR tab above the EFFECTS tab in the PALETTE BIN to dock the NAVIGATOR palette.
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5 Drag the red frame in the NAVIGATOR palette to scroll around the image.
6
You can also adjust the screen magnification from the NAVIGATOR palette.
7 Drag the slider at the top of the NAVIGATOR palette to adjust the zoom of the document.
8
Display the WINDOW menu and select RESET PALETTE LOCATIONS to return to the default Photoshop Elements screen.
9
Close the POSTER document. There is no need to save it.
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Photoshop Assignment 1 Your task for this Assignment is to create a simple sketch using some of the drawing tools from the TOOLS palette. If you cannot think of anything to draw, the following sketch of a racing car could be attempted.
Ask your teacher to check your sketch.
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Learning Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 By Greg Bowden
PUBLISHED BY GUIDED COMPUTER TUTORIALS PO Box 311 Belmont, Victoria, 3216, Australia www.gct.com.au © Greg Bowden This product is available in Single or Multi User versions. Single-user versions are for single student or teacher use at any particular time, just as a single text book would be used. If you intend to use the notes with multiple students the single user version should be upgraded to the multi-user version. Multi-user versions allow the school or institution to print as many copies as required, or to place the PDF files on the school network, intranet and staff laptops. A certificate of authentication is provided with multi-user versions. Bookmarks provide links to all headings and sub-headings, and individual chapters are provided.
First published 2008 ISBN: Module 1 1 921217 60 X Module 2: 1 921217 61 8
PDF document on CD-ROM
Every effort has been made to ensure that images used in this publication are free of copyright, but there may be instances where this has not been possible. Guided Computer Tutorials would welcome any information that would redress this situation.
Learning Photoshop Elements 6 Module 1 Contents Chapter 1: Introduction to Photoshop and Layers Starting Photoshop Elements................................................................1-1 The Tools Palette......................................................................................1-3 Using the Tools........................................................................................1-3 Layers........................................................................................................1-7 Loading a Sample File............................................................................. 1-7 Looking at the Layers............................................................................. 1-8 Layer Visibility......................................................................................... 1-9 Locking Layers....................................................................................... 1-10 Naming Layers ..................................................................................... 1-11 Deleting Layers...................................................................................... 1-12 Adding a New Layer............................................................................ 1-13 The Layer Order..................................................................................... 1-15 Layer Opacity......................................................................................... 1-16
Screen Views..........................................................................................1-17 The Zoom Tool.......................................................................................1-19 The Hand Tool.......................................................................................1-20 The Navigator Palette . ........................................................................1-21 Photoshop Assignment 1....................................................................1-23
Chapter 2: Selecting Parts of Images Loading a Sample Image........................................................................2-1 The Editing Tools.....................................................................................2-2 The Edit Marquee . .................................................................................2-3 The Rectangular Marquee Tool............................................................. 2-3 The Elliptical Marquee Tool................................................................... 2-4
Deselecting Objects.................................................................................2-5 The Lasso Tools........................................................................................2-6 The Lasso Tool.......................................................................................... 2-6 The Polygon Lasso Tool.......................................................................... 2-7
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Learning Photoshop Elements 6 The Quick Selection Tool........................................................................2-9 Selecting the Cat...................................................................................... 2-9 Adjusting the Selection ........................................................................ 2-12 Refining the Edges................................................................................. 2-13
Feathering the Selection.......................................................................2-14 Adding the Image to a Background ..................................................2-15 Resizing Images . ..................................................................................2-16 Saving the Document...........................................................................2-17 The Magic Wand Tool...........................................................................2-18 Photoshop Assignment 2....................................................................2-22
Chapter 3: Modifying Images Selecting the Correct Layer....................................................................3-1 The Liquify Filter.....................................................................................3-1 The Hand Tool.......................................................................................... 3-2 The Warp Tool.......................................................................................... 3-3 The Reconstruction Tool......................................................................... 3-5 Twirling..................................................................................................... 3-6 The Pucker Tool....................................................................................... 3-7 The Bloat Tool........................................................................................... 3-8 The Shift Pixels Tool................................................................................ 3-9 The Reflection Tool................................................................................ 3-10
Completing the Liquify Effect.............................................................3-11 The Filter Gallery..................................................................................3-12 Artistic and Brush Stroke Filters......................................................... 3-12 Undoing an Effect.................................................................................. 3-13 Distort . ................................................................................................... 3-14 Sketch ..................................................................................................... 3-14 Stylise ..................................................................................................... 3-15 Texture . .................................................................................................. 3-15
The Effects Palette.................................................................................3-16 Photoshop Assignment 3....................................................................3-18
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Contents Chapter 4: The Drawing Tools Starting a Blank Document....................................................................4-1 Drawing Normal Shapes........................................................................4-1 Drawing Rectangles................................................................................ 4-1 Rectangle Styles....................................................................................... 4-2 Using the Effects Palette......................................................................... 4-4 Creating Buttons...................................................................................... 4-5 Creating a Rollover Button..................................................................... 4-7 Removing Styles and Effects.................................................................. 4-8
Custom Shapes........................................................................................4-9 Selecting a Shape..................................................................................... 4-9 Other Custom Shapes........................................................................... 4-11
Creating Custom Borders or Frames..................................................4-12 Creating a Frame................................................................................... 4-12 Adjusting the Frame.............................................................................. 4-14 Adding a Picture to the Frame............................................................ 4-15
Photoshop Assignment 4....................................................................4-17
Chapter 5: Combining Shapes Starting a New Document.....................................................................5-1 Creating a Combined Shape..................................................................5-1 Drawing a Rectangle............................................................................... 5-1 Cutting a Shape Out of the Rectangle.................................................. 5-2 Adding Shapes to Shapes....................................................................... 5-3 Subtracting From the Shape................................................................... 5-4 Intersecting Shapes.................................................................................. 5-5
Exercise 5-1...............................................................................................5-6 Using Shapes With Photographs..........................................................5-6 Loading the Image................................................................................... 5-6 Magnifying the Head of the Cat . ......................................................... 5-7 Adding the Shapes.................................................................................. 5-8 Excluding Part of the Circle................................................................... 5-9 Adding to the Magnifying Glass......................................................... 5-10
The Cookie Cutter Tool........................................................................5-11 Photoshop Assignment 5....................................................................5-14
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Learning Photoshop Elements 6 Chapter 6: Adding Text to Designs Starting a New Document.....................................................................6-1 Entering Text............................................................................................6-1 Altering Text............................................................................................6-2 Warping Text............................................................................................6-3 Single Arced Text .................................................................................... 6-3 Multiple Arcs............................................................................................ 6-6 3-Dimensional Effects............................................................................. 6-6 Text Orientation....................................................................................... 6-7
Vertical Text..............................................................................................6-7 Adding Effects to Text............................................................................6-8 Adjusting the Styles................................................................................6-9 Creating a Poster...................................................................................6-11 Entering the Main Heading................................................................. 6-11 Adjusting the Main Heading............................................................... 6-13 Entering the Sub Headings.................................................................. 6-14 Looking at the Layers........................................................................... 6-16
Printing...................................................................................................6-16 Photoshop Assignment 6....................................................................6-18
Chapter 7: Adjusting the Look of Images Loading a Sample File............................................................................7-1 The Blur Tool............................................................................................7-1 The Sharpen Tool.....................................................................................7-2 The Smudge Tool.....................................................................................7-3 The Sponge Tool......................................................................................7-4 The Burn Tool...........................................................................................7-5 The Dodge Tool.......................................................................................7-7 Gradient Fills...........................................................................................7-9 The Gradient Settings............................................................................. 7-9 Applying the Gradient.......................................................................... 7-10
Removing Backgrounds.......................................................................7-12 The Impressionist Brush.......................................................................7-13 The Red Eye Removal Tool..................................................................7-14 Photoshop Assignment 7....................................................................7-16
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Contents Chapter 8: Combining Photographs Photomerging..........................................................................................8-1 Selecting the Photographs...................................................................... 8-1 Looking at the Photos............................................................................. 8-3
Cropping the Image................................................................................8-4 Photo Books.............................................................................................8-5 Open the Photos....................................................................................... 8-5 Creating the Photo Book......................................................................... 8-6 Looking at the Book................................................................................ 8-8
Photoshop Assignment 8....................................................................8-10
Chapter 9: Creating Masks Creating a Transparent Layer................................................................9-1 Drawing a Circular Selection Area.......................................................9-2 Filling the Selection Area.......................................................................9-2 Naming the Layer...................................................................................9-3 Adding a Background File.....................................................................9-3 Adjusting the Mask.................................................................................9-6 Other Masks.............................................................................................9-7 Creating the Mask Shape........................................................................ 9-7 Inserting a Photo...................................................................................... 9-8 Creating the Mask................................................................................... 9-9 Enhancing the Mask.............................................................................. 9-10
Photoshop Assignment 9....................................................................9-13
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Learning Photoshop Elements 6 Chapter 10: Saving Files Saving a Copy of a File.........................................................................10-1 Saving as a JPEG Format . ...................................................................10-2 Saving Images for the Web..................................................................10-3 Saving for the Web................................................................................ 10-3 JPEG or GIF Formats............................................................................. 10-4 Setting the Size of the Photograph...................................................... 10-4 Compression Settings........................................................................... 10-5 Optimizing the File Size....................................................................... 10-7 Previewing in a Browser....................................................................... 10-8 Saving...................................................................................................... 10-9
Photoshop Project 1
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Contents
Module 2 Contents Chapter 11: Repairing Parts of Images The Clone Stamp Tool...........................................................................11-1 Loading the Image................................................................................. 11-1 The Clone Stamp Settings.................................................................... 11-2 Cloning.................................................................................................... 11-3 Unaligned Cloning................................................................................ 11-5
Removing the Cat..................................................................................11-6 Cropping Images...................................................................................11-9 The Healing Brush Tool...................................................................... 11-11 The Spot Healing Brush Tool.............................................................11-13 Photoshop Assignment 11................................................................11-15
Chapter 12: Applying Filters Loading the Sample Photo...................................................................12-1 Selecting the Background ...................................................................12-1 Selecting the Car.................................................................................... 12-1 Setting the Feather................................................................................. 12-4 Showing the Selection........................................................................... 12-4
Applying a Gaussian Blur....................................................................12-4 Motion Blurs..........................................................................................12-6 Applying Filters on the Car.................................................................12-7 The Reduce Noise Filter....................................................................... 12-7 Applying a Lighting Effect Filter........................................................ 12-8
Photoshop Assignment 12................................................................12-10
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Learning Photoshop Elements 6 Chapter 13: Creating Balls and Spheres Starting a New Document...................................................................13-1 Filling the Layer....................................................................................13-2 Creating the Lighting and Reflection Effects....................................13-2 Completing the Effect...........................................................................13-3 Copying the Effect.................................................................................13-5 Starting a New Document...................................................................13-6 Changing the Ball Colour....................................................................13-7 Adding a Shadow.................................................................................13-8 Adding a Background........................................................................13-10 Linking Layers.....................................................................................13-11 Copying the Ball..................................................................................13-12 Photoshop Assignment 13................................................................13-16
Chapter 14: Artistic Filters Starting a New Document...................................................................14-1 Setting the Background........................................................................14-2 Creating the Ocean................................................................................14-3 Adding Perspective to the Ocean.......................................................14-5 Adding the Ship....................................................................................14-7 Resizing the Ship...................................................................................14-7 Adding Some Land to the Sketch.......................................................14-8 Copying the Land.................................................................................. 14-8 Blurring the Image................................................................................ 14-9 Adjusting the Land.............................................................................. 14-10
Creating the Port Hole........................................................................14-11 Drawing the Port Hole........................................................................ 14-11 Adding 3-D Effects.............................................................................. 14-13
Adjusting the Port Hole.....................................................................14-14 Photoshop Assignment 14................................................................14-16
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Contents Chapter 15: Adjustment Layers Brightness/Contrast layers..................................................................15-1 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 15-1 Inserting the Brightness/Contrast Layer........................................... 15-2 Displaying Part of the Background Layer......................................... 15-3 Adjusting the Brightness and Contrast.............................................. 15-5
Levels Layers.........................................................................................15-6 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 15-6 Inserting the Levels Layer.................................................................... 15-7
Applying Multiple Layers...................................................................15-8 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 15-8 Inserting a Brightness/Contrast Layer............................................... 15-9 Setting a Gradient Map Layer........................................................... 15-10 Colourizing the Face........................................................................... 15-11 Solid Colour Layers............................................................................. 15-12
Photoshop Assignment 15................................................................15-14
Chapter 16: Enhancing Photos of Faces Loading the Image................................................................................16-1 Duplicating the Layer...........................................................................16-2 Blurring the Image................................................................................16-2 Adding a Mask to the Layer................................................................16-3 Sharpening the Eyes.............................................................................16-4 Merging Layers......................................................................................16-5 Creating a Duplicate Layer..................................................................16-5 Enhancing the Eyes...............................................................................16-6 Selecting the White Eye Area............................................................... 16-6 Enhancing the White Area................................................................... 16-7 Enhancing the White in the Right Eye............................................... 16-8 Merging the Layers............................................................................... 16-9 Setting the Eye Colour to Blue........................................................... 16-10 Highlighting the Pupils...................................................................... 16-12 Setting the Eyes Behind the Eye Sockets.......................................... 16-13
Looking at the Original Face.............................................................16-15 Photoshop Assignment 16................................................................16-16
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Learning Photoshop Elements 6 Chapter 17: Using Rulers and Grids Starting a New Document...................................................................17-1 Setting the Ruler and Grid Units........................................................17-2 Turning on the Rulers and Grid..........................................................17-3 Creating the Front of the Box..............................................................17-3 Setting a Green Rectangle..................................................................... 17-3 Adding Highlights to the Front........................................................... 17-6 Copying the Highlight.......................................................................... 17-7
Creating the Side of the Box................................................................17-8 Adding an Image to the Front.............................................................17-9 Adding the Text...................................................................................17-10 Inserting the Front Text....................................................................... 17-10 Creating the Side Text......................................................................... 17-12
Merging the Layers.............................................................................17-13 Creating the Three Dimensional Effect............................................17-15 Adjusting the Front Rectangle........................................................... 17-15 Adjusting the Side Rectangle............................................................. 17-15
Checking the Box.................................................................................17-17 Photoshop Assignment 17................................................................17-18
Chapter 18: Enhancing Text Effects Starting a New Document...................................................................18-1 Creating the Brick Wall.........................................................................18-2 Setting the Gradient Colours............................................................... 18-2 Adding the Brick Texture..................................................................... 18-4 Selecting the Lighting........................................................................... 18-4
Adding the Graffiti...............................................................................18-5 Entering the Text.................................................................................... 18-5 Liquifying the Text................................................................................ 18-7 Adding Some Effects to the Text......................................................... 18-8
Photoshop Assignment 18................................................................18-10
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Contents Chapter 19: Photo Adjustments Lens Correction.....................................................................................19-1 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 19-1 Applying the Correct Camera Distortion Filter................................ 19-2 Adjusting the Vertical Perspective...................................................... 19-3 Interesting Lens Correction Effects..................................................... 19-5
The Auto Smart Fix Tool......................................................................19-7 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 19-7 Applying the Auto Smart Fix Tool...................................................... 19-8
The Unsharp Mask Tool.......................................................................19-9 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 19-9 Applying the Unsharp Mask Tool..................................................... 19-10
Levels Layers.......................................................................................19-10 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................. 19-10 Inserting the Levels Layer.................................................................. 19-11 Selecting the Colours in the Image................................................... 19-11 Accurately Selecting Colours............................................................. 19-13
Guided Mode.......................................................................................19-14 Photoshop Assignment 19................................................................19-16
Chapter 20: Useful Tools The Magic Extractor Tool.....................................................................20-1 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 20-1 Applying the Magic Extractor Tool..................................................... 20-1 Refining the Selection............................................................................ 20-4
The Magnetic Lasso Tool......................................................................20-5 Loading the Sample Photo................................................................... 20-5 Selecting the Cat.................................................................................... 20-6 Adjusting the Selection......................................................................... 20-8 Refining Edges..................................................................................... 20-10 Removing the Background................................................................. 20-10
The Colour Replacement Tool...........................................................20-12 The Straighten Tool.............................................................................20-13 Photoshop Assignment 20................................................................20-15
Photoshop Project 2
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Chapter
1
Introduction to Photoshop and Layers
Adobe Photoshop Elements is an advanced photo editing and graphics program that allows you to create or edit photo quality images. In this Chapter you will be introduced to its screen and some of its basic features, such as Layers. Layers are a vital part of using Photoshop and you need to develop an understanding of how to use them in order to use Photoshop effectively.
Starting Photoshop Elements 1
Load Photoshop Elements 6. 2 If you receive the WELCOME screen set the bottom left box to START UP WITH EDITOR and click on the EDIT button.
NOTE:
3
Setting the left box to START UP WITH EDITOR means that the program will open immediately in the EDITOR screen. The WINDOW menu can be used to reopen the WELCOME screen when needed.
Display the FILE menu, highlight NEW and select BLANK FILE. You will be asked to enter the required settings for the document. 4 Enter the NAME:
Intro
Set the WIDTH to 800 pixels, the HEIGHT to 600 pixels, the BACKGROUND CONTENTS to WHITE, leave the other default settings for now and select OK.
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A blank page should be created. 6 Click on the FULL button to open the FULL EDITOR screen if it is not already displayed.
7
The following diagram labels the sections of the FULL EDITOR screen.
Options Bar
Tools Palette
Document Window or Canvas Area
Screen Tabs
Palette Bin or Dock
Project Bin
NOTE:
i The Project Bin displays thumbnails of the files that you have open.
ii The Screen Tabs allow you to change the screen views between EDIT, CREATE and SHARE modes. Each of these modes have sub-tabs associated with them.
iii The Palette Bin displays palettes of tools and options. These palettes can be opened from the WINDOW menu.
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The Tools Palette The TOOLS palette at the left of the screen provides general drawing and photo adjustment tools. If you are using a large screen, the tools are displayed as a single column. If you are using a small screen, the tools in two columns. 1
In these tutorials the TOOLS palette will used as 2 columns.
2
Tools that have a small arrow next to them have more tools within them.
3 Click and hold on the LASSO tool the three lasso tool types will be displayed.
4
Click and hold on some of the other tools to see what extra tools they contain.
5
The letter displayed next to a tool when you click and hold on it is the keyboard shortcut to select the tool. Try pressing some letters and the tool corresponding to that letter should be selected.
6
Hold down the SHIFT key and press a letter. The tools within that tool group will be toggled.
Using the Tools We will have a quick look at some of Photoshop’s basic drawing tools. You may need to click and hold on a tool to select it, depending on who has used to program before you.
1 Select the BRUSH TOOL from the TOOLS palette.
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2 Draw some brush strokes on the canvas.
3 Select the SHAPES tool and drag a shape on the canvas. Your shape may be different to the rectangle drawn here.
4 Click and hold on the SHAPES TOOL, select the CUSTOM SHAPE TOOL and drag a shape on the screen.
NOTE:
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Your shape will probably be different to the one displayed. The SHAPE box in the OPTIONS BAR at the top of the screen can be used to select different shapes.
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5 Select the PENCIL TOOL from the BRUSH TOOL in the TOOLS palette and click on the canvas.
6 Sometimes the program will ask you to simplify a shape layer when a tool is to be used. Click on OK when this happens.
7 Drag some pencil lines on the canvas.
8 You can select a different BRUSH from the OPTIONS BAR. Click on the BRUSH box and select a medium sized brush.
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9 Draw some more pencil lines on the canvas - they should be a different thickness.
10 Click on the FOREGROUND COLOUR box at the base of the TOOLS palette, select a different colour and click on OK.
NOTE:
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You can use the vertical slider at the centre of the SELECT FOREGROUND COLOUR dialogue box to select different colour shades.
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11 Draw some different coloured lines on the canvas.
12 Display the FILE menu and select CLOSE to close the document. There is no need to save it.
Layers Layers are the building blocks of a Photoshop document so it is important that you develop an understanding of them. Think of layers as transparent or filled sheets that can be placed on top of one another. They allow you break a drawing up into small blocks that can be worked on individually. To illustrate the use of LAYERS, a document with a few layers will be opened from the PSE6 SUPPORT FILES.
A Loading a Sample File A simple poster for a travel agency has been prepared for you. It has a layer containing a photograph and another two layers containing text. 1
Display the FILE menu and select OPEN.
2 Access the PSE6 SUPPORT FILES, open the CHAPTER 1 folder and open the POSTER file.
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B Looking at the Layers
1 The LAYERS palette should be open at the bottom of the PALETTE BIN and the three layers displayed.
NOTE:
If the LAYERS palette is collapsed, click on its arrow to expand it. If the LAYER palette is not in the PALETTE BIN, display the WINDOW menu and select RESET PALETTE LOCATIONS to display the standard Photoshop Elements screen.
2 Select the MOVE TOOL from the TOOLS palette (the top left tool).
3 Select the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS layer in the LAYERS palette and try moving the text at the top left of the poster.
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4 Click on the LONDON, PARIS.... text and its layer is selected in the LAYERS palette
C Layer Visibility Layers can be turned off at any time and when this happens their contents are not seen in the document.
1 Click on the EYE symbol next to the LONDON, PARIS... layer and its contents will not be visible.
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2 Click on the VISIBILITY frame of the LONDON, PARIS... layer again to turn the layer back on.
NOTE:
When a layer is visible there is an eye marker in its VISIBILITY frame.
D Locking Layers Layers can be locked so that you don’t accidentally make changes to them.
Two buttons at the top of the LAYERS palette allow you to lock layers: LOCK TRANSPARENT PIXELS locks only the transparent background. LOCK ALL locks everything in the layer.
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Introduction to Photoshop and Layers 1
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Let’s lock the BACKGROUND layer so that it cannot be adjusted.
2 Click on the BACKGROUND layer then click on the LOCK ALL icon.
3 A LOCK symbol is added to the layer to indicate that it is locked. 4
Select the MOVE TOOL from the TOOLS palette and try to move the background. You should not be able to do so.
E Naming Layers It is good practice to name layers so that you know what their contents are. Let’s rename the BACKGROUND layer.
1 Double click on the BACKGROUND label in the LAYERS palette to highlight it.
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2 Enter the label: Image press <enter> or
F Deleting Layers Layers can be deleted when they are no longer needed. Let’s delete one of the text layers.
1 Click on the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS layer in the LAYERS palette.
2 Click on the DELETE LAYER icon at the top of the LAYERS palette followed by YES to the information dialogue box.
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3 The layer is removed from the LAYERS palette and its contents removed from the document.
4
Display the EDIT menu and select UNDO DELETE LAYER to return the layer and its contents to the document. There is also an UNDO button at the top right of the screen that can be used.
G Adding a New Layer Layers can be added as required using the CREATE A NEW LAYER icon. When new layers are added they are inserted above the selected layer in the LAYERS palette.
1 Select the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS layer in the LAYERS palette and click on the CREATE A NEW LAYER icon at the top of the palette.
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2 The new layer is added above the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS layer.
3 Double click on the LAYER 1 label, enter the name: Highlight and press <enter> or
4 Select the BRUSH TOOL from the TOOLS palette and paint a line under the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS text.
5 The contents are stored in the HIGHLIGHT layer.
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H The Layer Order The order of the layers in the LAYERS palette is very important. The image is at the back of the drawing so it is the last (or bottom layer). If the image was at the top of the LAYERS palette you would not be able to see any of the other objects. You can easily alter the order of layers. It is called changing the LAYER STACKING ORDER.
1 Click on the IMAGE layer then drag it to the top of the LONDON, PARIS.... layer.
2 When you release the mouse button the contents of the other layers cannot be seen as the IMAGE layer is on top of them.
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I
Layer Opacity
The OPACITY of a layer is how transparent it is. The default layer OPACITY is 100% (no transparency) so the contents of the other layers cannot be seen through it. When you reduce the OPACITY of a layer you start to see the contents of other layers through it. Let’s reduce the OPACITY of the IMAGE layer so that the other layers can be seen.
1 Unlock the IMAGE layer by clicking on the LOCK ALL icon at the top of the LAYERS palette.
2 Click on the arrow next to the OPACITY box and drag the slider to about 80%.
3 Part of the contents of the other layers are now visible.
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4 Drag the IMAGE layer to the bottom of the layers in the LAYERS palette. The content of the other layers can now be fully seen, but the IMAGE layer is still at 80% opacity.
NOTE:
You will use many more layer features as you progress through these tutorials. For example, you can duplicate layers, add masks to layers, insert different types of layers and so on.
Screen Views You can zoom in or out of a document when more detailed work is required. 1
Display the VIEW menu and select ZOOM IN.
2 The screen in magnified.
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There are keyboard shortcuts to zoom in and out. On the Windows system hold down the CTRL key and press + to zoom in and - to zoom out. On the Macintosh system the COMMAND key is held down.
4 Press CTRL+ or COMMAND+ twice to zoom in two more levels.
5 Press CTRL- or COMMAND- three times to zoom back out.
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6 Press CTRL+0 or COMMAND+0 to set the view to FIT ON SCREEN.
NOTE:
FIT ON SCREEN sets the zoom to a level so that the canvas fills the available screen area.
The Zoom Tool The ZOOM TOOL allows you to select a section of the image to zoom in on.
1 Select the ZOOM TOOL from the TOOLS palette and drag a frame around the top of Big Ben.
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2 When you release the mouse button the screen is zoomed in on the selected area.
The Hand Tool The HAND TOOL allows you to scroll around a zoomed screen.
Select the HAND TOOL from the TOOLS palette and drag the screen to bring different parts of the document into view.
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Introduction to Photoshop and Layers
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The Navigator Palette The NAVIGATOR palette can be opened and docked into the PALETTE BIN. It can be used to navigate around a zoomed document. You can even control the zoom from this palette. 1
The screen should be zoomed. If it isn’t, press CTRL+ or COMMAND+ a few times to zoom the view.
2
Display the WINDOW menu and select NAVIGATOR. 3 The NAVIGATOR palette is added to the screen.
4 Drag the NAVIGATOR tab above the EFFECTS tab in the PALETTE BIN to dock the NAVIGATOR palette.
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5 Drag the red frame in the NAVIGATOR palette to scroll around the image.
6
You can also adjust the screen magnification from the NAVIGATOR palette.
7 Drag the slider at the top of the NAVIGATOR palette to adjust the zoom of the document.
8
Display the WINDOW menu and select RESET PALETTE LOCATIONS to return to the default Photoshop Elements screen.
9
Close the POSTER document. There is no need to save it.
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Introduction to Photoshop and Layers
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Photoshop Assignment 1 Your task for this Assignment is to create a simple sketch using some of the drawing tools from the TOOLS palette. If you cannot think of anything to draw, the following sketch of a racing car could be attempted.
Ask your teacher to check your sketch.
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