One of the best ways to master any software is to run a project. And in the case of Photoshop, this is clearly a win-win option that will give a general understanding of the graphic editor, its interface and tools. More detailed tutorials to hone your skills will be found on the internet by following the appropriate queries.
Creating a new file
Creating a project from scratch begins on the start page, where a window with the parameters of the future project is displayed. You can choose from templates of old projects or create new settings. On the right side you can adjust orientation, dimensions, color profile and resolution. As for the color profile, you can leave it in its original state at first, and then press the “OK” key to proceed to further actions.
Interface Elements
Most of the settings and functional elements of Adobe Photoshop are collected in the top panel. If you master them from scratch, it can be accompanied by some difficulties, because the interface includes many items, terms and buttons that are not familiar to beginners.
As in many other editors, the first to be covered is the “File” button. By clicking on it, you can see a list of actions that are basic. If you don’t remember how to create a new project or import files – click on the “File” item. It displays the answers to each of the questions. Most of the commands have hot keys to make it easier to perform certain functions. If possible, memorize them, as it will allow you to work with the editor 2-3 times faster without distracting from the working window.
Editing
The next window of the program is “Editing”. Here are the basic working tools such as Undo, Redo Action, Cuts, etc., similar to Microsoft Office Word. However, there are some additional options as well. For example, in the menu you can find image transformation, perform layer alignment or fill. If you want, you can transform a frame with bright sunny weather into a picture of a rainy day by using the “Auto Sky Replacement” mode. Photoshop is capable of doing things that a photographer can’t even imagine.
Image
The Image section contains tools for controlling color settings. With its help, you can activate color correction, including in automatic mode. It also gives you the opportunity to change the canvas settings, crop the picture or rotate it by a few degrees.
Layers
The “Layers” tool is intended for creating or duplicating layers. Professional graphic editors use smart objects, masks and adjustment layers from this menu. If there is a need to import a single layer from a large composition, that won’t be a problem either.
Text
The “Type” section includes elements for more flexible and in-depth control of text settings. Through it you can rasterize text (turn it into pixels), extrude it into 3D, smooth it, etc. It also allows you to include new fonts in the library if needed.
Selection
The Selection window is a special tool with many sub-items like single selection, group selection and even layer selection. The user can activate both the area, but also give the algorithm a specific color range (for example, only green objects). The algorithm will also be able to recognize the sky in the image and disconnect it from other elements in the frame.
Filter
The “Filter” window is in demand among those users who use Photoshop to process photos. Here are available special tools that remove the errors of the shooting process: distortion correction, noise removal, adding imitation depth of field, like professional optics, etc. There are a lot of built-in options for stylizing photos, if you want to make them more “grunge” or “noir”. Each filter contains advanced settings for a unique result.
Windows
With the default settings, the windows in Photoshop are in the right corner of the screen. You can customize your windows display format for different tasks. They can be transformed, sent to other locations, compressed, stretched, and linked together for easier dragging and dropping. You can activate or hide a particular window via the “Window” tab. To save the set parameters, go to the “Workspace” section, and then click on “New Workspace” and “Save”.
Let’s consider how to work with windows by the example of the “Color” sub-item.
This tool is located at the top of the block and is used to change the color of shapes, lines, background image and stroke. There are four tabs in the window. The first one is for selecting a color swatch, the second one is for setting up complex gradients, and the third one is for using a pattern as a fill.
Just below that there is the Properties menu. By default it is inactive, but if you click on an object, it will activate and display its basic parameters, which can be changed.
The “Layers” window is an important part of the graphical editor, as the work in it is based on a multilevel arrangement of layers. Each of them supports independent editing without contact with other elements. You can manually change the blend mode, transparency, fill intensity, etc. The “Background” layer is not editable in the standard format, but you can remove this restriction by clicking on the lock icon.
After familiarizing yourself with the windows, you can move on to exploring the main tools located in the panel on the left side of the screen. Most of them include several separate tools for performing certain tasks. There are also “hotkeys” attached to them for quick pressing of specific combinations.