Photoshop Pro Tips: An Idiot's Guide - Part 3
Table of Contents
This document outlines several useful techniques achievable within Adobe Photoshop. It covers a range of skills, from lesser-known tricks to practical applications like banner creation and photo editing.
§1–Introduction
Adobe Photoshop remains a leading software for image manipulation and graphic design. This guide will explore a selection of functionalities, offering both fundamental and advanced methods for enhancing your workflow.
§2–Photoshop Tricks You Didn't Know
Photoshop possesses a wealth of hidden features that can significantly improve efficiency. One such trick involves using the Alt key while dragging layers in the Layers panel to create duplicates quickly.
Another useful technique is utilizing blend modes for non-destructive editing. Experimenting with these modes can yield unique visual effects without permanently altering the original image.
§3–Creating a YouTube Banner With Links
Designing a compelling YouTube banner is crucial for branding. Begin by creating a canvas with the recommended dimensions (2560 x 1440 pixels).
To incorporate clickable links within your banner, you'll need to utilize a separate image editing tool or a dedicated YouTube banner maker that supports link embedding. Photoshop itself doesn't directly support clickable links in banner images.
§4–Basic Photo Retouching
Basic photo retouching can dramatically improve image quality. The Spot Healing Brush Tool is invaluable for removing blemishes and imperfections.
For more complex adjustments, the Clone Stamp Tool allows you to copy pixels from one area of the image to another. Careful application of this tool can seamlessly repair damaged areas.
Adjusting levels and curves is essential for correcting exposure and contrast. These adjustments can be made non-destructively using adjustment layers.
§5–BONUS #1: Creating a Silhouette from a Photo In a Few Minutes
Creating a silhouette effect is a visually striking technique. First, open your image in Photoshop and duplicate the background layer.
Next, adjust the levels of the duplicated layer to create a high-contrast black and white image. Then, use a layer mask to reveal only the silhouette, effectively isolating the subject against a bright background.
§6–BONUS #2: Creating a Favicon in Photoshop
A favicon is a small icon displayed in browser tabs. To create one in Photoshop, start with a square canvas (typically 16x16 or 32x32 pixels).
Design your icon, ensuring it's simple and recognizable at a small size. Save the image as a .ico file using a dedicated favicon converter, as Photoshop doesn't natively support this format.
Several online tools are available for converting .png or .jpg images to .ico format.
§7–Conclusion
Photoshop offers a vast array of tools and techniques for image editing and graphic design. Mastering these skills can significantly enhance your creative capabilities.
Continued practice and exploration of Photoshop's features are key to unlocking its full potential. Remember to leverage online resources and tutorials to expand your knowledge.
1. Introduction
The process of learning Photoshop can be both enjoyable and straightforward, provided a willingness to engage with the learning process. This principle, in fact, extends to the acquisition of any new skill. This guide will focus on expanding your Photoshop knowledge, building upon the foundations established in Parts I and II of our tutorial series.
Prior to proceeding, it is strongly advised that you review the content presented in those preceding guides. They contain foundational information that is essential for understanding the concepts discussed here.
True mastery of any software application is achieved through consistent practice alongside the study of step-by-step instructions. Active participation is key; simply reading without application will likely result in limited retention. Remember, “Knowledge is nothing without practice.”
Therefore, immediately launch Photoshop, select some images for experimentation, and follow along with the instructions as you read. This hands-on approach will solidify your understanding.
Upon completion of this installment, you will have gained proficiency in a variety of Photoshop tools and techniques. You’ll be equipped to confidently state, “Yes, I am proficient in Photoshop,” with continued practice.
While multiple methods often exist for accomplishing a task within Photoshop, a strong grasp of the fundamental principles is paramount. Beyond that, your creative possibilities are virtually limitless.
What will be covered in this guide?
We will begin by exploring essential Photoshop tips and tricks designed to streamline your workflow and save valuable time. Following this, I will demonstrate the creation of a YouTube banner incorporating clickable links – a feature requiring a YouTube Partner account. Subsequently, we will delve into basic photo retouching techniques and learn how to efficiently generate silhouettes from photographs.
The core objective is to develop an understanding of how to apply tools in diverse scenarios. As we progress, actively consider how these tools can be adapted to meet your specific needs.
I highly recommend downloading and printing the Photoshop Cheat Sheet (keyboard shortcuts) provided by MakeUseOf; it represents a significant time-saving resource.
For reference, I am utilizing Adobe Photoshop CS5 (a version I recommend), but the principles discussed remain largely applicable to older versions. I will highlight any tools that are unique to newer releases. MakeUseOf has also recently released a guide for Photoshop CS6, which may be of interest.
Please be aware that these instructions are based on a Windows operating system. Mac users should experience similar functionality, though certain keystrokes may differ. Consider this your notification.
2. Photoshop Tricks You Didn’t Know
2.1 Multiple Undo Functionality
Typically, Ctrl+Z in most software undoes actions one step at a time. Photoshop operates similarly, with repeated presses only “undoing the undo.” To revert to earlier states, utilize the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Z.
2.2 Rapid Brush Size Adjustment
Brush size can be quickly modified during use. Employ the “[" key to decrease the brush size and the "]" key to increase it.
2.3 Resetting Foreground and Background Colors
Black and white are frequently used as default foreground and background colors. If these colors have been altered, pressing “D” on your keyboard instantly restores them to their original black and white settings. This is faster than manually selecting them from the color palette.
2.4 Swapping Foreground and Background Colors
The foreground and background colors can be interchanged with a simple keystroke: press “X”.
2.5 Filling with Color Quickly
To rapidly fill a selection or layer with the current foreground color, use Alt+Backspace. Conversely, Ctrl+Backspace fills with the background color.
2.6 Resetting Tools Instead of Cancelling
When using filters or tools, mistakes can happen. Instead of repeatedly cancelling and restarting, hold Alt and press Reset within the tool dialogue box. This restores the tool to its default settings.
2.7 Selecting Multiple Layers Simultaneously
To select several layers, hold Ctrl and click on each desired layer. For a continuous range of layers, hold Shift, click the first layer, and then click the last layer while still holding Shift. All layers in between will be selected.
2.8 Drawing Straight Lines with a Brush
A perfectly straight line can be drawn with a brush by clicking to start, then Shift+clicking at the desired endpoint (lines will be at 45-degree angles).
2.9 Reapplying the Last Filter
If you need to reapply a previously used filter, simply press Ctrl+F. This function is only available if a filter has been used previously.
2.10 Duplicating a Layer Rapidly
The fastest way to duplicate a selected layer is by pressing Ctrl+J.
2.11 Resizing While Maintaining Aspect Ratio
To resize an object without distorting it, enter Free Transform mode with Ctrl+T, then hold Shift while scaling the object with your mouse. Holding Alt+Shift resizes from the center.
2.12 Quick Distortion
For quick distortion of an object or selection, use Ctrl+T (Free Transform) and hold Ctrl while manipulating it. Alternatively, right-click within the Free Transform and select Distort.
2.13 Creating New Layers Above or Below
Instead of clicking the New Layer icon and dragging, hold Ctrl to create a new layer below the active layer, or Shift to create one above.
2.14 Fading the Last Filter
If a filter’s effect is too strong, use Shift+Ctrl+F (Edit->Fade…) to adjust its intensity.
2.15 Unlocking the Background Layer
The lock icon on the Background layer can be restrictive. To unlock it, simply drag the lock icon to the trash can icon located at the bottom-left of the Layers panel.
2.16 Dragging a Selection
After making a selection, you can reposition it by holding the Space key while dragging with the mouse.
2.17 Workspace Navigation
Navigate the workspace horizontally by holding Ctrl and scrolling up or down. Vertical navigation is achieved by simply scrolling up or down without Ctrl.
2.18 Copying Visible Layers
Press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+E to copy all visible layers into a new layer.
2.19 Changing Workspace Background Color
There are two quick methods to alter the workspace background color:
a) Right-click on the background to select from preset colors.
b) Select the Paint Bucket tool, choose a foreground color, and Shift+click on the background.
2.20 Loading Layer Selection
Quickly load a layer selection by holding Ctrl and clicking on the layer thumbnail.
2.21 Switching Between Documents
Save time when switching between open documents using Ctrl+Tab to move forward and Ctrl+Shift+Tab to move backward.
2.22 Quick Opacity Control
Adjust a layer’s opacity rapidly by pressing a number key ( “1”=10%, “2”=20%, etc.). If the Brush Tool is active, this adjusts brush opacity.
Note: pressing two numbers quickly sets a precise percentage (e.g., “3” then “1” sets opacity to 31%).
2.23 Switching Between Tool Variations
To cycle through variations of a tool, hold Shift and press the tool’s hotkey (refer to the cheat sheet).
2.24 Hiding Panels
Maximize your canvas view by pressing F to toggle screen sizes and Tab to hide/show tool panels.
2.25 Precise Cursor Mode
Enable Caps Lock for a more precise cursor.
2.26 Navigating Blending Options
Quickly navigate through Blending Options by holding Shift and pressing -/+.
2.27 Hiding All Other Layers
To hide all layers except the selected one, hold Alt and click on the “eye” icon.
2.28 Showing/Hiding Consecutive Layers
To show or hide a range of layers, click and drag on the eye icon of the first layer, then move up or down to include the desired layers.
2.29 Zooming to 100%
Double-click the Zoom tool to instantly zoom to 100%.
2.30 Adjusting Numeric Values
Quickly adjust numeric values in dialog boxes by clicking and dragging the icon next to the value. Hold Shift while dragging to increment by 10.
2.31 Deleting Hidden Layers
Remove all hidden layers from a document with one click: go to Layers->Delete->Hidden layers.
2.32 Deleting Empty Layers
To remove all empty layers, go to File->Scripts->Delete All Empty Layers.
Creating a YouTube Banner with Functional Links
For those with a YouTube Partner account, greater customization options are available for their channel page compared to standard YouTube users. A significant enhancement is the ability to add a custom banner to the header section, a feature commonly seen on many channels.
This guide will demonstrate how to create such a banner using Photoshop, and importantly, how to incorporate clickable links within it – directing viewers to your social media profiles, website, or other desired destinations.
Begin by creating a new document in Photoshop (Ctrl+N).
To ensure compatibility and optimal display, set the banner dimensions to a maximum size of 960 px in width and 150 px in height. Maintain a resolution of 72 px/inch and confirm your settings by clicking OK.
Now, incorporate graphical elements and buttons into your design.
Your logo should be prominently featured. Import your logo file directly into Photoshop; simply drag and drop it into the workspace.
Position the logo according to your preference. A common placement is the top left corner of the banner.
Utilize the Text tool (T) to add text describing your profession or channel focus, positioning it just below the logo.
Consider modifying the background color to complement your branding. A gradient can be applied, or any other desired visual effect.
Employ the Gradient tool (G) to fill the background with a gradient of your choosing.
At this stage, you have a nearly completed banner design.
The addition of social media buttons is the primary focus of this tutorial. Search for icons representing RSS, Twitter, Facebook, or any other platforms you wish to link to, using Google Images.
Copy and paste these icons into your Photoshop workspace, aligning them to the right side of the banner.
To create a sense of depth, apply a shadow effect to the icons. Right-click on an icon’s layer and select Blending Options.
Within the dialog box that appears, choose Drop Shadow. The default values are generally suitable.
Replicate this effect on the remaining icons. You can efficiently do this by right-clicking on a layer, selecting “Copy Layer Style,” and then “Paste Layer Style” onto other layers.
Add a textual element, such as “Stay Tuned,” positioned above the icons.
With the design finalized, save the banner for web use. Navigate to File > Save for Web & Devices, select PNG-8 for enhanced quality, and choose a save location.
The next step involves uploading the banner to YouTube and implementing the clickable links.
Log in to your YouTube account and access Branding Options/Banners and Image Maps. Click on Choose file to upload your newly created banner.
Enter 150 into the Channel Banner Height field.
Click Save Changes in the bottom-right corner. Then, navigate to your YouTube partner page to view the uploaded banner. While the banner is visible, the links are not yet functional.
To activate the links, a map code must be created for the image. This process is simplified by the free online tool available at Image-Maps.com, requiring minimal coding knowledge.
Visit www.image-maps.com, browse to your banner image, and click Start Mapping Your Image.
After a brief wait on the “help image-maps.com” page (approximately 10 seconds), click Continue To Next Step.
On the right-hand side, select Rectangle from the menu.
You will now see a rectangle overlaid on your banner, with text areas.
Drag and resize the rectangle to encompass the first icon. Click Save.
Repeat this process for each of the remaining icons.
Once all icons are mapped, click Get Your Code in the right panel.
Select HTML Code on the subsequent page.
The generated code may appear complex, but a simplified version is provided below for banners with three buttons.
Key values to update are:
- full_path_to_your_banner – Obtain the full URL of your uploaded banner from your YouTube page (right-click on the banner and copy the image address).
- any_name – Choose a descriptive name for the map code.
- coordinates1 from image-maps.com – Copy the coordinate values from the HTML code generated by Image-Maps.com, ensuring correct sequence.
- first_button_link – Enter the complete URL (including http://) for the destination of the first button.
- title_text_for_first_link – Provide a descriptive title that appears when hovering over the link.
Replace all marked values with your specific information.
Return to the Branding Options/Banners and Image Maps section of your YouTube account, paste the completed map code into the designated area, and click Save Changes.
Refresh your YouTube page to verify the functionality of the links.
4. Basic Photo Retouching
Regardless of whether you’re a seasoned professional photographer or simply enjoy capturing images as a hobby, some degree of photo adjustment is often necessary to achieve optimal results. The need for a traditional darkroom has diminished with the advent of digital photography; now, all that’s required is a computer and appropriate photo editing software.
Photoshop remains a highly effective tool for this purpose. However, if you’re only utilizing Photoshop for basic retouching, mastering every feature isn’t essential. Focusing on the core tools will be sufficient.
These represent the foundational elements, and initial familiarity can be gained through basic practice. More advanced techniques will naturally develop with continued use and experimentation.
Assuming you’ve captured some images and wish to implement changes or corrections, upload them to your computer and open them within Photoshop.
4.1 Levels
This is often the first tool I utilize when opening an image. It provides control over brightness levels through the use of an image histogram. It’s particularly useful for darkening shadows, brightening foreground elements, or enhancing the vibrancy of skies, among other adjustments. Consider also reviewing our article, "How To Fix Overexposed Photos In Photoshop."
The controls highlighted in red can be adjusted left or right. The dropdown menu, indicated by the green circle, allows control over the image’s color channels. Experiment with these settings to observe their effects.
4.2 Photo Filter
The Photo Filter tool is exceptionally useful when you want to apply a uniform color tone to an entire image, thereby altering its overall “mood.” For instance, a yellowish hue might suit an autumn scene, while a cooler, bluish tone could complement a winter landscape.
You can choose from pre-defined filter presets via the dropdown menu, or select a custom color and adjust its density. In my example, I selected a Cooling Filter to accentuate the blue tones within the water.
4.3 Dodge and Burn
These are, in fact, two distinct tools, but they are often used in conjunction as they perform opposing functions. The Dodge tool lightens affected areas, while the Burn tool darkens them.
These tools can significantly enhance an image, dramatically altering its appearance. The example below demonstrates a quick application to illustrate their potential.
4.4 Spot Healing Brush
Introduced with CS2, as I recall, this tool facilitates digital “healing,” sometimes referred to as “airbrushing.” It’s common for subjects to request the removal of blemishes or imperfections, such as spots or moles. The Spot Healing brush tool makes this process straightforward.
I removed the well-known mole of Cindy Crawford with a single click.
4.5 Blur
The Blur tool is most effective when you want to draw attention to a specific object or area within a picture. A more comprehensive set of blurring options is available within the Filters menu, offering various blurring methods. The tool presented here is the basic version.
This blur tool functions like a brush, applying the effect to the area under your cursor. Utilize it to manipulate the focus of an image. For example, blurring the background can create a sense of depth.
4.6 Content-Aware Fill
This tool isn’t considered a basic feature; it’s incredibly powerful, akin to a magic wand, and could easily warrant its own dedicated guide. It’s available in Photoshop CS5 and later versions, so older versions won’t have this functionality.
With Content-Aware Fill, you can remove unwanted elements from a picture without leaving a noticeable void. Photoshop intelligently analyzes the surrounding area and fills the gap with a plausible reconstruction. Prior to CS5, this task was considerably more challenging, but now it’s remarkably simple. While not always perfect, the results are often impressive, and adjustments can be made to refine the outcome.
The tool analyzes the area surrounding a selection and then “paints” the fill area based on its assessment of what should be there. Experimentation is key to fully appreciating its capabilities: select the object you wish to remove, expanding the selection slightly to include surrounding pixels. Then, apply the fill (Edit->Fill or Shift+F5):
These six tools provide a solid foundation for enhancing your photos in a matter of minutes. Practice with the various values and settings to become more proficient in their use.
Creating a Silhouette from a Photo in Minutes
A silhouette is defined as the dark outline of an object or figure, typically presented as a solid shape. This effect is commonly observed naturally when viewing subjects against a brightly lit backdrop, such as a sunset.
In graphic design, silhouettes prove highly versatile. Their simplicity ensures they complement various backgrounds without visual conflict, due to their minimal detail. Furthermore, silhouettes can be adapted for the creation of unique shapes and custom brushes.
This tutorial demonstrates a swift method for generating a silhouette from virtually any image using Photoshop.
The quality of the final silhouette is directly linked to the precision of the initial selection. A careful and accurate selection process is therefore crucial.
Step 1
Begin by opening your desired image within Photoshop. Then, proceed to create a selection around the subject. The Magnetic Lasso tool was utilized for this example. Selecting subjects against uncomplicated backgrounds is generally easier:
Step 2
A New Layer should now be created. This is accomplished by clicking the corresponding icon located within the Layers panel:
Step 3
Fill the selected area with black color:
Step 4
Remove the original background by deleting the initial layer. In this instance, the layer named “picture” was removed:
The silhouette is now complete and ready for use. It can be positioned against any background to achieve the desired effect. Here is an example of its application:
Creating a Favicon in Photoshop: A Step-by-Step Guide
For any website, whether existing or planned, a favicon is essential. This small icon, typically measuring 16x16 pixels, appears in the browser's address bar or tab.
It serves as a crucial element of your website’s branding, functioning much like a logo, and should therefore be given due consideration.
Simply resizing an image to 16x16 pixels and changing the file extension to .ico is insufficient for creating a functional favicon. While numerous tools are available, this guide details the process within Adobe Photoshop.
Installing the ICO Plugin
Photoshop does not natively support the .ico file format. Therefore, a plugin is required to enable compatibility. A free plugin, ICO (Windows Icon) Format, can be downloaded from Telegraphics.
To install the plugin:
- Ensure Photoshop is closed.
- Extract the contents of the downloaded archive.
- Copy the ICOFormat.8bi file.
- Paste it into the File Formats folder within your Photoshop directory (typically located in Program Files/Adobe Photoshop/Plugins/File Formats for Windows users).
Designing Your Favicon
Begin by creating a new Photoshop document with dimensions of 64px in width and 64px in height. Working at this larger size facilitates detailed editing.
If you have an existing logo, open it in Photoshop and resize it to 64x64 pixels. When resizing, select the Bicubic Sharper resampling method to maintain image clarity.
Refine your image using tools like the Pencil tool for precise adjustments and the Sharpen filter to enhance details. Periodically resize the image to 16x16 pixels to assess its appearance at the final size.
Continue refining until satisfied, then finalize the size at 16x16 pixels.
Saving in ICO Format
With the ICO plugin installed, Photoshop can now save files in the .ico format. Navigate to File > Save As… and select Windows ICO from the format dropdown menu. Name the file “favicon”.
Uploading and Implementing the Favicon
Upload the favicon.ico file to the root directory of your website using an FTP client. Placing it in the root directory allows browsers to locate it automatically.
However, to ensure proper detection, you can include the following HTML code within the section of your website’s header.php file:
This will guarantee that your browser correctly identifies and displays your custom favicon.
Concluding Remarks
This concludes our exploration of the topic. It is hoped that this guide has proven informative, and readers are encouraged to anticipate further Photoshop tutorials from MakeUseOf.com.
Additional Photoshop Resources:
- A Beginner-Friendly Photoshop Tutorial: Part 1
- Photoshop for Beginners – A Comprehensive Manual, Section 2
- An In-Depth Guide to Photoshop, Part 4: Mastering Advanced Techniques and Creative Photo Effects
- Photoshop CS6: A Detailed Examination of New Features and Capabilities
Further learning opportunities are readily available.
