learning adobe photoshop elements 7 - introduction

Guided Computer Tutorials

LearningAdobe

PhotoshopElements 7

By Greg Bowden

PUBLISHED BY

GUIDED COMPUTER TUTORIALSPO Box 311Belmont, 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 2009

ISBN: Module 1: 1 921217 72 3 Module 2: 1 921217 73 1

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.

© Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009 C-1

Learning Photoshop Elements 7

Module 1 Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction to PhotoshopStarting Photoshop Elements ................................................................................1-1The Tools Palette .........................................................................................................1-3Using the Tools ............................................................................................................1-3Layers ..............................................................................................................................1-7

Loading a Sample File ................................................................................... 1-7Looking at the Layers .................................................................................... 1-8Layer Visibility .................................................................................................. 1-9Locking Layers ...............................................................................................1-10Naming Layers ..............................................................................................1-11Deleting Layers ..............................................................................................1-12Adding a New Layer.....................................................................................1-13The Layer Order .............................................................................................1-15Layer Opacity .................................................................................................1-16

Screen Views .............................................................................................................. 1-17The Zoom Tool .......................................................................................................... 1-19The Hand Tool ........................................................................................................... 1-20The Navigator Palette ............................................................................................ 1-21Photoshop Assignment 1................................................................. 1-23

Chapter 2: Selecting Parts of ImagesLoading a Sample Image .........................................................................................2-1The Editing Tools .........................................................................................................2-2The Edit Marquee ......................................................................................................2-3

The Rectangular Marquee Tool .................................................................. 2-3The Elliptical Marquee Tool ......................................................................... 2-4

Deselecting Objects ..................................................................................................2-5The Lasso Tools ............................................................................................................2-6

The Lasso Tool .................................................................................................. 2-6The Polygon Lasso Tool ................................................................................ 2-7

© Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009C-2

Learning Adobe Photoshop Elements 7

The Quick Selection Tool ..........................................................................................2-9Selecting the Cat ............................................................................................. 2-9Adjusting the Selection .............................................................................2-12Refining the Edges .......................................................................................2-13

Feathering the Selection....................................................................................... 2-14Adding the Image to a Background ................................................................ 2-15Resizing Images ...................................................................................................... 2-16Saving the Document ............................................................................................ 2-17The Magic Wand Tool ............................................................................................. 2-18Photoshop Assignment 2................................................................. 2-21

Chapter 3: Modifying ImagesSelecting the Correct Layer .....................................................................................3-1The Liquify Filter..........................................................................................................3-1

The Hand Tool .................................................................................................. 3-2The Warp Tool .................................................................................................. 3-3The Reconstruction Tool .............................................................................. 3-5Twirling ............................................................................................................... 3-6The Pucker Tool ............................................................................................... 3-7The Bloat Tool ................................................................................................... 3-8The Shift Pixels Tool ....................................................................................... 3-9The Reflection Tool .......................................................................................3-10Turbulence ......................................................................................................3-11

Completing the Liquify Effect ............................................................................. 3-12The Filter Gallery ...................................................................................................... 3-13

Artistic and Brush Stroke Filters ..............................................................3-13Undoing an Effect .........................................................................................3-14Distort ..............................................................................................................3-15Sketch ..............................................................................................................3-15Stylise ...............................................................................................................3-16Texture .............................................................................................................3-16

The Effects Palette ................................................................................................... 3-17Photoshop Assignment 3................................................................. 3-19

© Guided Computer Tutorials 2009 C-3

Contents

Chapter 4: The Drawing ToolsStarting a Blank Document .....................................................................................4-1Drawing Normal Shapes ..........................................................................................4-1

Drawing Rectangles....................................................................................... 4-1Rectangle Styles .............................................................................................. 4-2Using the Effects Palette .............................................................................. 4-4Creating Buttons ............................................................................................. 4-5Creating a Rollover Button .......................................................................... 4-7Removing Styles and Effects ...................................................................... 4-8

Custom Shapes ............................................................................................................4-9Selecting a Shape ........................................................................................... 4-9Other Custom Shapes .................................................................................4-11

Creating Custom Borders or Frames ................................................................. 4-12Creating a Frame ...........................................................................................4-12Adjusting the Frame ....................................................................................4-14Adding a Picture to the Frame .................................................................4-15

Photoshop Assignment 4................................................................. 4-17

Chapter 5: Combining ShapesStarting a New Document .......................................................................................5-1Creating a Combined Shape ..................................................................................5-1

Drawing a Rectangle ..................................................................................... 5-1Cutting a Shape Out of the Rectangle .................................................... 5-2Adding Shapes to Shapes ............................................................................ 5-3Subtracting From the Shape ...................................................................... 5-4Intersecting Shapes ....................................................................................... 5-5

Photoshop Exercise 5-1 ............................................................................................5-6Using Shapes With Photographs ..........................................................................5-6

Loading the Image ......................................................................................... 5-6

Magnifying the Head of the Cat ......................................................... 5-7Adding the Shapes ......................................................................................... 5-8Excluding Part of the Circle ......................................................................... 5-9Adding a Handle to the Magnifying Glass ...........................................5-10

The Cookie Cutter Tool .......................................................................................... 5-11Photoshop Assignment 5................................................................. 5-14



Chapter 6: Adding Text to DesignsStarting a New Document .......................................................................................6-1Entering Text ................................................................................................................6-1Altering Text .................................................................................................................6-2Warping Text ................................................................................................................6-3

Single Arced Text ........................................................................................... 6-3Multiple Arcs .................................................................................................... 6-63-Dimensional Effects ................................................................................... 6-6Text Orientation .............................................................................................. 6-7

Vertical Text...................................................................................................................6-7Adding Effects to Text ...............................................................................................6-8Adjusting the Styles ...................................................................................................6-9Creating a Poster ...................................................................................................... 6-11

Entering the Main Heading .......................................................................6-11Adjusting the Main Heading ....................................................................6-13Entering the Sub Headings .......................................................................6-14Looking at the Layers ..................................................................................6-16

Printing ........................................................................................................................ 6-16Photoshop Assignment 6................................................................. 6-18

Chapter 7: Adjusting the Look of ImagesLoading a Sample File ...............................................................................................7-1The Blur Tool .................................................................................................................7-1The Sharpen Tool ........................................................................................................7-2The Smudge Tool ........................................................................................................7-3The Sponge Tool .........................................................................................................7-4The Burn Tool ...............................................................................................................7-5The Dodge Tool ...........................................................................................................7-7Gradient Fills .................................................................................................................7-9

The Gradient Settings ................................................................................... 7-9Applying the Gradient ................................................................................7-10

Removing Backgrounds ........................................................................................ 7-12The Impressionist Brush ........................................................................................ 7-13The Red Eye Removal Tool .................................................................................... 7-14Photoshop Assignment 7................................................................. 7-16


Contents

Chapter 8: Combining PhotographsPhotomerging .............................................................................................................8-1

Selecting the Photographs ......................................................................... 8-1Looking at the Photos ................................................................................... 8-3

Cropping the Image ..................................................................................................8-4Photo Books .................................................................................................................8-5

Open the Photos ............................................................................................. 8-5Creating the Photo Book ............................................................................. 8-6Looking at the Book ...................................................................................... 8-8

Photoshop Assignment 8................................................................. 8-10

Chapter 9: Creating MasksCreating a Transparent Layer ..................................................................................9-1Drawing a Circular Selection Area ........................................................................9-2Filling the Selection Area .........................................................................................9-2Naming the Layer .......................................................................................................9-3Adding a Background File .......................................................................................9-3Adjusting the Mask ....................................................................................................9-6Other Masks ..................................................................................................................9-7

Creating the Mask Shape ............................................................................. 9-7Inserting a Photo ............................................................................................ 9-8Creating the Mask .......................................................................................... 9-9Enhancing the Mask ....................................................................................9-10

Quick Masks ............................................................................................................... 9-13Photoshop Assignment 9................................................................. 9-15



Chapter 10: Smart BrushesThe Blue Skies Brush ............................................................................................... 10-1The Reverse Black and White Brush .................................................................. 10-3

Applying the Brush ......................................................................................10-3Refining the Selection.................................................................................10-4

Improving Smiles ..................................................................................................... 10-6Whitening Teeth ............................................................................................10-6Enhancing the Lips ......................................................................................10-8

Photoshop Assignment 10 ............................................................10-10

Chapter 11: Saving FilesSaving a Copy of a File ........................................................................................... 11-1Saving as a JPEG Format ...................................................................................... 11-2Saving Images for the Web .................................................................................. 11-3

Saving for the Web .......................................................................................11-3JPEG or GIF Formats .....................................................................................11-4Setting the Size of the Photograph........................................................11-4Compression Settings .................................................................................11-5Optimizing the File Size..............................................................................11-7Previewing in a Browser .............................................................................11-8Saving ...............................................................................................................11-9

Photoshop Project 1Investigating the Problem ....................................................................................P1-1Designing the Solution .........................................................................................P1-1The Solution ..............................................................................................................P1-1Evaluation ...................................................................................................................P1-2


Contents

Module 2 Contents

Chapter 12: Repairing Parts of ImagesThe Clone Stamp Tool ............................................................................................ 12-1

Loading the Image .......................................................................................12-1The Clone Stamp Settings .........................................................................12-2Cloning .............................................................................................................12-3Unaligned Cloning .......................................................................................12-5

Removing the Cat .................................................................................................... 12-6Cropping Images ..................................................................................................... 12-9The Healing Brush Tool ........................................................................................12-11The Spot Healing Brush Tool .............................................................................12-13Photoshop Assignment 12 ............................................................12-15

Chapter 13: Applying FiltersLoading the Sample Photo .................................................................................. 13-1Selecting the Background ................................................................................... 13-1

Selecting the Car ...........................................................................................13-1Setting the Feather ......................................................................................13-4Showing the Selection................................................................................13-4

Applying a Gaussian Blur ...................................................................................... 13-4Motion Blurs .............................................................................................................. 13-6Applying Filters to the Car .................................................................................... 13-7

The Reduce Noise Filter ..............................................................................13-7Applying a Lighting Effect Filter ..............................................................13-8




Chapter 14: Creating Balls and SpheresStarting a New Document .................................................................................... 14-1Filling the Layer ........................................................................................................ 14-2Creating the Lighting and Reflection Effects ................................................. 14-3Completing the Effect ............................................................................................ 14-3Copying the Effect ................................................................................................... 14-5Starting a New Document .................................................................................... 14-6Changing the Ball Colour ...................................................................................... 14-7Adding a Shadow .................................................................................................... 14-8Adding a Background ..........................................................................................14-10Linking Layers .........................................................................................................14-11Copying the Ball .....................................................................................................14-12Photoshop Assignment 14 ............................................................14-16

Chapter 15: Artistic FiltersStarting a New Document .................................................................................... 15-1Setting the Background ........................................................................................ 15-2Creating the Ocean ................................................................................................. 15-3Adding Perspective to the Ocean ...................................................................... 15-5Adding the Ship ....................................................................................................... 15-7Resizing the Ship ..................................................................................................... 15-7Adding Some Land to the Sketch ...................................................................... 15-8

Copying the Land .........................................................................................15-8Blurring the Image .......................................................................................15-9Adjusting the Land ................................................................................... 15-10

Creating the Port Hole .........................................................................................15-11Drawing the Port Hole ............................................................................. 15-11Adding 3-D Effects .................................................................................... 15-13

Adjusting the Port Hole .......................................................................................15-14Photoshop Assignment 15 ............................................................15-16


Contents

Chapter 16: Adjustment LayersBrightness/Contrast layers ................................................................................... 16-1

Loading the Sample Photo .......................................................................16-1Inserting the Brightness/Contrast Layer ..............................................16-2Displaying Part of the Background Layer ............................................16-3Adjusting the Brightness and Contrast ................................................16-5

Levels Layers .............................................................................................................. 16-6Loading the Sample Photo .......................................................................16-6Inserting the Levels Layer ..........................................................................16-7

Applying Multiple Layers ...................................................................................... 16-8Loading the Sample Photo .......................................................................16-8Inserting a Brightness/Contrast Layer ...................................................16-9Setting a Gradient Map Layer ............................................................... 16-10Colourizing the Face ................................................................................. 16-11Solid Colour Layers ................................................................................... 16-12


Chapter 17: Enhancing Photos of FacesLoading the Image .................................................................................................. 17-1Duplicating the Layer ............................................................................................. 17-2Blurring the Image .................................................................................................. 17-2Adding a Mask to the Layer ................................................................................. 17-3Sharpening the Eyes ............................................................................................... 17-4Merging Layers ......................................................................................................... 17-5Creating a Duplicate Layer ................................................................................... 17-5Enhancing the Eyes ................................................................................................. 17-6

Selecting the White Eye Area ...................................................................17-6Enhancing the White Area .........................................................................17-7Enhancing the White in the Right Eye...................................................17-8Merging the Layers ......................................................................................17-9Setting the Eye Colour to Blue .............................................................. 17-10Highlighting the Pupils ........................................................................... 17-12Setting the Eyes Behind the Eye Sockets .......................................... 17-13

Looking at the Original Face ..............................................................................17-15Photoshop Assignment 17 ............................................................17-16



Chapter 18: Using Rulers and GridsStarting a New Document .................................................................................... 18-1Setting the Ruler and Grid Units ........................................................................ 18-2Turning on the Rulers and Grid .......................................................................... 18-3Creating the Front of the Box .............................................................................. 18-3

Setting a Green Rectangle ........................................................................18-3Adding Highlights to the Front ...............................................................18-6Copying the Highlight ................................................................................18-7

Creating the Side of the Box ................................................................................ 18-8Adding an Image to the Front ............................................................................ 18-9Adding the Text ......................................................................................................18-10

Inserting the Front Text ........................................................................... 18-10Creating the Side Text .............................................................................. 18-12

Merging the Layers ...............................................................................................18-13Creating the Three Dimensional Effect ..........................................................18-15

Adjusting the Front Rectangle .............................................................. 18-15Adjusting the Side Rectangle ................................................................ 18-15

Checking the Box ...................................................................................................18-17Photoshop Assignment 18 ............................................................18-18

Chapter 19: Creating GraffitiStarting a New Document .................................................................................... 19-1Creating the Brick Wall ........................................................................................... 19-2

Setting the Gradient Colours....................................................................19-2Adding the Brick Texture............................................................................19-4Selecting the Lighting ................................................................................19-4

Adding the Graffiti .................................................................................................. 19-5Entering the Text ...........................................................................................19-5Liquifying the Text ........................................................................................19-7Adding Some Effects to the Text .............................................................19-8



Contents

Chapter 20: Photo AdjustmentsLens Correction ........................................................................................................ 20-1

Loading the Sample Photo .......................................................................20-1Applying the Correct Camera Distortion Filter ..................................20-2Adjusting the Vertical Perspective .........................................................20-3Interesting Lens Correction Effects ........................................................20-5

The Auto Smart Fix Tool ........................................................................................ 20-7Loading the Sample Photo .......................................................................20-7Applying the Auto Smart Fix Tool ...........................................................20-8

The Unsharp Mask Tool ......................................................................................... 20-9Loading the Sample Photo .......................................................................20-9Applying the Unsharp Mask Tool ......................................................... 20-10

Levels Layers ............................................................................................................20-10Loading the Sample Photo .................................................................... 20-10Inserting the Levels Layer ....................................................................... 20-11Selecting the Colours in the Image ..................................................... 20-11Accurately Selecting Colours ................................................................ 20-13

Guided Mode ..........................................................................................................20-14Photoshop Assignment 20 ............................................................20-16

Chapter 21: Displacing ImagesLoading the Images ................................................................................................ 21-1

The Flag Image ..............................................................................................21-1The Curved Image ........................................................................................21-2

Removing Colour From the Curved Image .................................................... 21-3Displacing the Flag Image .................................................................................... 21-3Improving the Displacement .............................................................................. 21-5Displaying the Flag Image .................................................................................... 21-6Adjusting the Flag Colour ..................................................................................... 21-7Cropping the Image ............................................................................................... 21-7Photoshop Assignment 21 .............................................................. 21-9



Chapter 22: Creative Text EffectsStarting a New Document .................................................................................... 22-1Entering the Text ...................................................................................................... 22-2Adding a Three Dimensional Effect................................................................... 22-3

Applying the Wow Plastic Style ...............................................................22-3Adjusting the Drop Shadow .....................................................................22-3Adjusting the Glows ....................................................................................22-4Adjusting the Bevel ......................................................................................22-5

Creating a Reflection .............................................................................................. 22-5Copying the Text Layer ...............................................................................22-5Transforming the Reflection .....................................................................22-7Adjusting the Reflection ............................................................................22-9

Adding Some Lighting Effects ..........................................................................22-10Photoshop Assignment 22 ............................................................22-12

Chapter 23: Useful ToolsThe Magic Extractor Tool ...................................................................................... 23-1

Loading the Sample Photo .......................................................................23-1Applying the Magic Extractor Tool .........................................................23-1Refining the Selection.................................................................................23-4

The Magnetic Lasso Tool ....................................................................................... 23-5Loading the Sample Photo .......................................................................23-5Selecting the Cat ...........................................................................................23-6Adjusting the Selection ..............................................................................23-8Refining Edges ............................................................................................ 23-10Removing the Background .................................................................... 23-10

The Colour Replacement Tool ...........................................................................23-12The Straighten Tool ...............................................................................................23-13Photoshop Assignment 23 ............................................................23-15

Photoshop Project 2Investigation .............................................................................................................P2-1Planning ......................................................................................................................P2-1Solution .......................................................................................................................P2-1Evaluation ...................................................................................................................P2-1Data ..............................................................................................................................P2-2

© Guided Computer Tutorials 2009 1-1

Chapter

1Introduction to Photoshop

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 7.

NOTE: Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 allows you to organise, edit, create and share images. These tutorials will focus on the EDIT section.

3 Display the FILE menu, highlight NEW and select BLANK FILE. You will be asked to enter the required settings for the document.

2 If you receive the WELCOME screen click on EDIT at the top to open the EDITOR screen.

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.

© Guided Computer Tutorials 20091-2


5 A blank page should be created.

7 The following diagram labels the sections of the FULL EDITOR screen.

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.

Options Bar

Document Window or Canvas Area

Palette Bin

Tools Palette

6 Click on the FULL button to open the FULL EDITOR screen if it is not already displayed.

Project Bin

Screen Tabs


1Introduction to Photoshop Elements

The Tools PaletteThe TOOLS palette or TOOLBOX 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 are 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.

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 ToolsWe 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.

3 Click and hold on the LASSO tool the three lasso tool types will be displayed.

1 Select the BRUSH TOOL from the TOOLS palette.



NOTE: 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.

4 Click and hold on the CUSTOM SHAPES TOOL, select the ROUNDED RECTANGLE TOOL and drag a shape on the canvas.

3 Select the CUSTOM SHAPES tool in the TOOLS palette and drag a shape on the canvas.

2 Draw some brush strokes on the canvas.



7 Drag some pencil lines on the canvas.

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.

8 You can select a different BRUSH from the OPTIONS BAR. Click on the BRUSH box and select a medium sized brush.



NOTE: You use the vertical slider at the centre of the SELECT FOREGROUND COLOUR dialogue box to select the colour then select a shade for the selected colour

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 colour followed by a shade and click on OK.



12 Display the FILE menu and select CLOSE to close the document. There is no need to save it.

LayersLayers 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 PSE7 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.

11 Draw some different coloured lines on the canvas.

2 Access the PSE7 SUPPORT FILES, open the CHAPTER 1 folder and open the POSTER file.



B Looking at the Layers

NOTE: i 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.

ii You can press CTRL+0 to set the image to fill the screen area.

1 The LAYERS palette should be open at the bottom of the PALETTE BIN and the three layers displayed.

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.



C Layer Visibility

Layers can be turned off at any time and when this happens their contents are not seen in the document.

4 Click on the LONDON, PARIS, ROME.... text and its layer is selected in the LAYERS palette. Try moving the text.

1 Click on the EYE symbol next to the LONDON, PARIS. ROME... layer and its contents will not be visible.



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.

2 Click on the VISIBILITY frame of the LONDON, PARIS... layer again to turn the layer back on.

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.



1 Let’s lock the BACKGROUND layer so that it cannot be adjusted.

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.

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.

1 Double click on the BACKGROUND label in the LAYERS palette to highlight it.



F Deleting Layers

Layers can be deleted when they are no longer needed. Let’s delete one of the text layers.

2 Enter the label:

Image

then press <enter> and the layer will be renamed.

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.



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.

3 The layer is removed from the LAYERS palette and its contents are removed from the document.

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.



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>.

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.



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, ROME.... 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.



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 layer’s contents 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.



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 ViewsYou can zoom in or out of a document when more detailed work is required.

1 Display the VIEW menu and select ZOOM IN.

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.

2 The screen in magnified.



3 There are keyboard shortcuts to zoom in and out. Hold down the CTRL key and press + to zoom in and - to zoom out.

4 Press CTRL+ twice to zoom in two more levels.

5 Press CTRL- three times to zoom back out.



NOTE: FIT ON SCREEN sets the zoom to a level so that the canvas fills the available screen area.

The Zoom ToolThe ZOOM TOOL allows you to select a section of the image to zoom in on.

6 Press CTRL+0 to set the view to FIT ON SCREEN.

1 Select the ZOOM TOOL from the TOOLS palette and drag a frame around Big Bens clocks.



The Hand ToolThe HAND TOOL allows you to scroll around a zoomed screen.

2 When you release the mouse button the screen is zoomed in on the selected area.

Select the HAND TOOL from the TOOLS palette and drag the screen to bring different parts of the document into view.



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+ 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.



6 You can also adjust the screen magnification from the NAVIGATOR palette.

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.

5 Drag the red frame in the NAVIGATOR palette to scroll around the image.

7 Drag the ZOOM SLIDER at the top of the NAVIGATOR palette to adjust the zoom of the document.



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.

learning adobe photoshop elements 7 - introduction

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