Photoshop and Photoshop Elements Quick Tips
Get more out of Photoshop with these quick tips and hints. Many of these tips apply to Elements, too -- Look for the [E].
'Faking' Bold & Italics when a Font Doesn't Have Them
Photoshop only gives you bold and italics options when the typeface includes these styles. You will have to simulate bold and italic formatting styles when these options are not available in the typeface.
Photoshop only gives you bold and italics options when the typeface includes these styles. You will have to simulate bold and italic formatting styles when these options are not available in the typeface.
A Trick for Finding the Cursor
If you have trouble seeing the cursor in gray areas of your image, try this trick. [E]
If you have trouble seeing the cursor in gray areas of your image, try this trick. [E]
Add a Watermark before Posting Your Images on the Web
You can add a semi-transparent overlay to many images automatically when you use the Web Photo Gallery Creator feature in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. [E]
You can add a semi-transparent overlay to many images automatically when you use the Web Photo Gallery Creator feature in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. [E]
An 'Undo' for Actions
Using this tip you will never find yourself unable to 'undo' after running an action that you did not like.
Using this tip you will never find yourself unable to 'undo' after running an action that you did not like.
Choose Starting Increment For Batch Renaming
There is an undocumented feature for batch renaming files in Photoshop 7's file browser that lets you add a serial number and specify the starting increment.
There is an undocumented feature for batch renaming files in Photoshop 7's file browser that lets you add a serial number and specify the starting increment.
Contact Sheet vs. Picture Package
Photoshop offers two features for printing multiple images on a page: Contact Sheet II and Picture Package. Many people are confused about when to use Contact Sheet II and when to use Picture Package. [E]
Photoshop offers two features for printing multiple images on a page: Contact Sheet II and Picture Package. Many people are confused about when to use Contact Sheet II and when to use Picture Package. [E]
Convert Layer Effects To Layers
How to put layer effects on their own layers.
How to put layer effects on their own layers.
Custom Keyboard Shortcuts in Photoshop CS
Photoshop users can now create custom keyboard shortcuts, add new keyboard shortcuts, save and share shortcut sets, and print a reference chart of their shortcut keys. Learn all about this new feature introduced in Photoshop CS.
Photoshop users can now create custom keyboard shortcuts, add new keyboard shortcuts, save and share shortcut sets, and print a reference chart of their shortcut keys. Learn all about this new feature introduced in Photoshop CS.
Customize Picture Package Layouts in Photoshop CS
In previous versions of Photoshop, you had to go through a somewhat non-intuitive process if you wanted to customize the default layouts in the picture package feature. Fortunately, Photoshop CS now offers a dialog box for visually editing and creating new picture package layouts.
In previous versions of Photoshop, you had to go through a somewhat non-intuitive process if you wanted to customize the default layouts in the picture package feature. Fortunately, Photoshop CS now offers a dialog box for visually editing and creating new picture package layouts.
Cycle Through Blend Modes with the Keyboard
Learn how to quickly change blend modes using the keyboard shortcuts. [E]
Learn how to quickly change blend modes using the keyboard shortcuts. [E]
Drag and Drop Layer Styles
How to quickly copy layer styles with drag and drop in Photoshop.
How to quickly copy layer styles with drag and drop in Photoshop.
Edit Multiple Type Layers
How to change the formatting of many type layers at once in Photoshop.
How to change the formatting of many type layers at once in Photoshop.
Feather Selections Visually
This tip will have you see what you're getting when you feather a selection.
This tip will have you see what you're getting when you feather a selection.
File Browser Improvements in Photoshop CS
The Photoshop CS File Browser is much more useful than previous versions. Here we'll take a look at many of the improvements.
The Photoshop CS File Browser is much more useful than previous versions. Here we'll take a look at many of the improvements.
Find the Center of a Document or Layer
Find the center of a document or layer in Photoshop.
Find the center of a document or layer in Photoshop.
Flexible Lens Flares
Make your lens flares repositionable with this trick. [E]
Make your lens flares repositionable with this trick. [E]
Get the Goodies
Your Photoshop Installation CD has many free goodies that are not installed with the program.
Your Photoshop Installation CD has many free goodies that are not installed with the program.
How to Center Copied Layers
How to center copied layers in Photoshop and Elements. [E]
How to center copied layers in Photoshop and Elements. [E]
How to Manage Plug-Ins in Photoshop with Shortcuts
A tip for managing a large collection of plug-ins and filters in Photoshop. Save memory and reduce load time by only loading the plugins you need.
A tip for managing a large collection of plug-ins and filters in Photoshop. Save memory and reduce load time by only loading the plugins you need.
Installing Fonts for Photoshop Only (Windows)
Here's how you can install fonts that you want to make available in Photoshop's menu's but that won't load with Windows and won't be accessible from other (non-Adobe) Windows applications.
Here's how you can install fonts that you want to make available in Photoshop's menu's but that won't load with Windows and won't be accessible from other (non-Adobe) Windows applications.
Installing the 3D Transform Filter in Photoshop CS
The 3D Transform filter is no longer installed with the default installation of Photoshop CS,however, it is still available on the Photoshop CD. Here's how to install it.
The 3D Transform filter is no longer installed with the default installation of Photoshop CS,however, it is still available on the Photoshop CD. Here's how to install it.
Keep Track of Editing History in Photoshop CS
The new History Log in Photoshop CS can help you remember how to repeat a technique, record time-tracking information for client work, create a legal record, and is also useful for training purposes.
The new History Log in Photoshop CS can help you remember how to repeat a technique, record time-tracking information for client work, create a legal record, and is also useful for training purposes.
Live Histogram Palette in Photoshop CS
In previous versions of Photoshop, you could open the histogram in a dialog box, but you couldn't keep the histogram on-screen to see how the graph changed as you made edits, except in the levels dialog. Now in Photoshop CS, we have a live histogram that updates in real time as we make edits to our images.
In previous versions of Photoshop, you could open the histogram in a dialog box, but you couldn't keep the histogram on-screen to see how the graph changed as you made edits, except in the levels dialog. Now in Photoshop CS, we have a live histogram that updates in real time as we make edits to our images.
Many Fill Shortcuts
Save Time With These Fill Tool Shortcuts in Photoshop and Elements. [E]
Save Time With These Fill Tool Shortcuts in Photoshop and Elements. [E]
Move Text Without Leaving The Type Tool
You don't have to commit your type layer and then switch to the move tool to reposition it. [E]
You don't have to commit your type layer and then switch to the move tool to reposition it. [E]
New Document Size Matching
How to create a new document at the same dimensions as another open document. [E]
How to create a new document at the same dimensions as another open document. [E]
New Scrubber Controls in Photoshop CS
Photoshop CS has a new type of user interface control called "scrubbers" which are easily missed because they are not obvious. If you tend to use the mouse more than the keyboard, you're going to love these--now you can enter numbers without ever taking your hand off the mouse.
Photoshop CS has a new type of user interface control called "scrubbers" which are easily missed because they are not obvious. If you tend to use the mouse more than the keyboard, you're going to love these--now you can enter numbers without ever taking your hand off the mouse.
New Ways to Share Your Photos in Photoshop CS
Photoshop CS has several new ways photographers can share their photos both for professional feedback, or among friends and family. Learn about the PDF Presentation, Web Photo Gallery and Online Services features in Photoshop CS.
Photoshop CS has several new ways photographers can share their photos both for professional feedback, or among friends and family. Learn about the PDF Presentation, Web Photo Gallery and Online Services features in Photoshop CS.
Photomerge Feature in Photoshop CS
Previously introduced in Photoshop Elements, the Photomerge features has been brought over to Photoshop CS and enhanced to accomodate much larger images. Photomerge automatically arranges and seamlessly combines multiple images to create a panorama.
Previously introduced in Photoshop Elements, the Photomerge features has been brought over to Photoshop CS and enhanced to accomodate much larger images. Photomerge automatically arranges and seamlessly combines multiple images to create a panorama.
Pixel Precise Lens Flares
How to position a lens flare according to exact coordinates. [E]
How to position a lens flare according to exact coordinates. [E]
Prevent Photoshop from Snapping to the Edges of Documents
Does it annoy you how Photoshop likes to "snap" to the document edges when using the crop tool, selection tools and so on? Learn how you can disable this snapping behavior. [E]
Does it annoy you how Photoshop likes to "snap" to the document edges when using the crop tool, selection tools and so on? Learn how you can disable this snapping behavior. [E]
Quick Type Selection
Quickly select all the text on a type layer. [E]
Quickly select all the text on a type layer. [E]
Rasterize and Flatten Layer Effects
A tip so you can apply filters to layers with effects in Photoshop.
A tip so you can apply filters to layers with effects in Photoshop.
Remove Red-Eye with the Sponge Tool
This is a slight variation on red eye removal tips you may have seen elsewhere, but its very quick and very effective. [E]
This is a slight variation on red eye removal tips you may have seen elsewhere, but its very quick and very effective. [E]
Remove Unsharp Mask Halos
Oversharpening can often result in unsightly halos or glows in your image. Here is an easy way to remove them while keeping the sharpness.
Oversharpening can often result in unsightly halos or glows in your image. Here is an easy way to remove them while keeping the sharpness.
Safety Net for Rasterizing Text
Before you rasterize your text, use this tip in case you need to revert. [E]
Before you rasterize your text, use this tip in case you need to revert. [E]
Save Actions as Text Files
How to save an action as a text file list of steps.
How to save an action as a text file list of steps.
See A Layer Mask as an Overlay
How to show a layer mask with a red overly like Quick Mask Mode.
How to show a layer mask with a red overly like Quick Mask Mode.
Text on a Path or in a Shape in Photoshop CS
Finally, Photoshop users can now put type on a path or into a shape. Learn how to use this new feature in Photoshop CS.
Finally, Photoshop users can now put type on a path or into a shape. Learn how to use this new feature in Photoshop CS.
The New Filter Gallery in Photoshop CS
Photoshop CS has a new addition under the filter menu--the Filter Gallery. Not only does the filter gallery give you a more visual way of selecting effects filters, it lets you stack multiple filter effects and apply them in one step.
Photoshop CS has a new addition under the filter menu--the Filter Gallery. Not only does the filter gallery give you a more visual way of selecting effects filters, it lets you stack multiple filter effects and apply them in one step.
Toggle Between Precise Cursors and Standard Cursors
How to toggle between precise cursors and standard cursors in Photoshop, and what to do when your cursor inexplicably changes. [E]
How to toggle between precise cursors and standard cursors in Photoshop, and what to do when your cursor inexplicably changes. [E]
Two ways to straighten a skewed horizon in your photos
If you have a picture that was taken with the camera tilted or scanned at an angle, Photoshop offers two tools to fix this quickly--the measure tool and the crop tool. Here are step-by step instructions for straightening a crooked photo or scan in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, plus a way to correct perspective at the same time. [E]
If you have a picture that was taken with the camera tilted or scanned at an angle, Photoshop offers two tools to fix this quickly--the measure tool and the crop tool. Here are step-by step instructions for straightening a crooked photo or scan in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, plus a way to correct perspective at the same time. [E]
Use Add and Subtract Modes for Refining Selections
Use add and subtract modes for making better selections with the Photoshop's selection tools. [E]
Use add and subtract modes for making better selections with the Photoshop's selection tools. [E]
Use Better Interpolation When Resampling in Photoshop CS
Photoshop CS offers two new interpolation methods you can use for better results when resampling images. If you rarely change settings from the default Bicubic method, you may never even notice the two new methods are there.
Photoshop CS offers two new interpolation methods you can use for better results when resampling images. If you rarely change settings from the default Bicubic method, you may never even notice the two new methods are there.
Visualize Detail Work
Use two views to better visualize detail work in Photoshop and Elements. [E]
Use two views to better visualize detail work in Photoshop and Elements. [E]
Visually Choose Fonts
Visially cycle through your fonts in Photoshop, and learn how to hide the text highlighting if you find it distracting.
Visially cycle through your fonts in Photoshop, and learn how to hide the text highlighting if you find it distracting.
304 Photoshop 6 Tips
Uncover some of the hidden functionality in Photoshop with these 306 tips. Categories include Interface Tips, Tool Tips, Command Tips, Selection Tips, Layer Tips, Tips for Guides & Rulers, Navigation & HotKey Tips, Tips for Duplicating.
Uncover some of the hidden functionality in Photoshop with these 306 tips. Categories include Interface Tips, Tool Tips, Command Tips, Selection Tips, Layer Tips, Tips for Guides & Rulers, Navigation & HotKey Tips, Tips for Duplicating.