Table of Contents

(NOTE: Table of Contents not finalized at time of printing.)

1. The Basics.
Using the Toolbox. Toolbox. Options bar. The Photoshop screen: Mac OS X. The Photoshop screen: Windows. The menus. How to use the palettes. Create a custom workspace. Delete any or all custom workspaces. Color palette. Swatches palette. Styles palette. Navigator palette. Info palette. Layers palette. Layers palette. Channels palette. Paths palette. History palette. Actions palette. Character palette. Paragraph palette. Tool Presets palette. Brushes palette. Mini-glossary. Production techniques.

2. Photoshop Color.
Pixels. RGB vs. CMYK color. Channels. Image modes. The blending modes. Color management. Calibrate your monitor (Mac OS). Calibrate your monitor (Windows). Choose a predefined color management setting. Choose individual work space settings. Customize your color management policies. Customize your conversion options. Change or delete a document's color profile. Convert a document's color profile. Proof your colors.

3. Startup.
Launch Photoshop (Windows). Launch Photoshop (Mac OS). Where images come from. Scanning. Desktop scanning software basics. 16-bits-per-channel mode. Scan into Photoshop. Calcualte the proper resolution for a scan or for an existing image. File storage sizes of scanned images. Potential gray levels at various output resolutions and screen frequencies. Using the status bar. Find out an image's storage size. Create a new image. Open an image within Photoshop. Open the File Browser. The File Browser panes. View files in the File Browser. Open a file or files. Choose a sorting method for thumbnails. Create a rank for sorting images. Rename a file. Delete a file. Create a new folder. Rotate a thumbnail. Open a Photoshop image from Windows Explorer. Open a Photoshop image from the Finder (Mac OS). Thumbnails. Open a Kodak Photo CD file. Open an EPS, PDF, or Illustrator file as a new image. Pixel Paste. Place an EPS, PDF, or Adobe Illustrator image into an existing Photoshop image. Save a new image. Saving layers, vectors, and effects. Save an existing image. Revert to the last-saved version. Save a new version of an image. Change the zoom level using the Navigator palette. Change the zoom level using the Zoom tool. Move an image in its window. Change the screen display mode. Display one image in two windows. Recolor the work canvas. Close an image. Exit/quit Photoshop.

4. Pixel Basics.
Change an image's pixel dimensions for onscreen output. Change an image's dimensions for print output. Change an image's resolution. Resize an image to fit a specific width or height. Resize an image automatically. Apply the Unsharp Mask filter. Change the canvas size. Crop an image using a marquee. Specify dimensions and resolution as you crop an image. Enlarge an image's canvas area using the Crop to tool. Crop an image using the Crop command. Crop an image using the Trim command. Flip an image. Rotate an image by a preset amount. Rotate an image by specifying a number.

5. Select.
Select an entire layer. Create a rectangular or elliptical selection. Create a freeform selection. Create a freeform selection. Create a polygonal selection. Select by colr (Magic Wand). Select using the Magnetic Lasso tool. Magnetic Lasso tool options bar. Select by color (Color Range). Create a frame selection. Select a narrow border around a selection. Deselect a selection. Reselect the last selection. Delete a selection. Move a selection marquee. Switch the selected and unselected areas. Hide a selection marquee. Transform a selection marquee. Modify a selection marquee via a menu command. Add to a selection. Subtract from a selection. Select the intersection of two selections. Vignette an image. Mask a shape using the Extract command.

6. Compositing.
Move a selection's contents. Drag-copy a selection. Align a layer or layers to a selection marquee. Clipboard basics. Copy and paste a selection. Drag-and-drop a selection between images. Paste into a selection. Paste into a smaller image. Sharpen or blur edges. Hide or show rulers. Change the rulers' zero origin. Use the Snap feature. Hide or show the grid. Create a guide. Place a guide at a specified location. Remove guides. Use the Measure tool. Clone areas in the same image. Use the Pattern Stamp tool. Clone from image to image. Repair areas using the Healing Brush tool. Use the Patch tool. Feather an existing selection. Defringe a layer. Smooth a selection.

7. Layers.
Layer basics. Create a new layer. Turn a selection into a layer. Duplicate a layer in the same image. Hide or show layers. Flip a layer. Delete a layer. Rename a layer. Transform (scale, rotate, skew, distort, or apply perspective to) a layer by dragging. Free transform a layer. Transform a layer by entering numeric values. Restack a layer. Convert the Background into a layer. Convert a layer into the Background. Move a layer. Create a layer set. Lock a layer. Create a Fill layer. Tools and layers. Lock transparent pixels. Use all layers. Save a copy of a layer in a new file. Drag-and-drop a layer to another image (Layers palette). Drag-and-drop a layer to another image (Move tool). Copy and paste only the visible of a layer to another image. Merge two layers together. Merge multiple layers. Flatten layers.

8. History.
Linear and non-linear. Clearing the palette. Revert to a prior history state. Duplicate a state. Delete a state. Create a snapshot of a history state. Make a snapshot become the latest state. Delete a snapshot. Create a new document from a history state or snapshot. Use the History Brush tool. Fill a selection or a layer with a history state. Use the Art History Brush tool. Erase to history.

9. Adjustments.
Adjusment basics. Create an adjustment layer. Modify an adjustment layer. Choose blending options for an adjustment layer (or any layer). Choose a different command for an existing adjustment layer. Merge an adjustment layer. Ways to use adjustment layers. Adjust an image using Auto Contrast. Equalize a layer. Invert lights and darks. Make a layer high contrast. Posterize. Adjust brightness and contrast (Brightness/Contrast). Adjust brightness and contrast using Levels. Screen back a layer. Lighten using the Dodge tool or darken using the Burn tool. Restrict an adjustment layer's effect using a mask. Make alayer grayscale using the Channel Mixer.

10. Choose Colors.
Foreground and Background colrs. Choose a color using the Color Picker. Choose a custom color. Choose a color using the Color palette. Choose a color from the Swatches palette. Add a color to the Swatches palette. Rename a swatch. Delete a color from the Swatches palette. Rename a swatch. Delete a color from the Swatches palette. Save an edited swatches library. Replace or append a swatches library. Load a swatches library. Choose a color from an image using the Eyedropper. Copy a color as a hexadecimal value.

11. Recolor.
Adjustment basics. Fill a selection or a layer with a color, a pattern, or imagery. Apply a stroke to a selection or a layer. Adjust a color image using Hue/Saturation. Place color samplers on an image. Move a colorsampler. Using the Info palette with the Color Sampler tool. Remove a color sampler. Replace colors. Covert a layer or the Background to grayscale. Colorize or color correct using Color Balance. Adjust color using thumbnail Variations. Saturate or desaturate colors using the Sponge tool. Heighten color or silhouette color areas on black. Adjust individual color channels using Levels. Apply Auto Color Correction options. Adjust color or values using the Curves command. Convert a color layer to grayscale and selectively restore its color. Create a spot color channel. Paint on a spot color channel. Spot color channel basics. Printing spot color channels. Convert an alpha channel into a spot color channel.

12. Paint.
Use the Brush tool. Temporarily change the diameter of a brush preset. Use the Brushes palette. Edit a brush preset. Choose Variation options. Save brush presets in a new library. Load a brush library. Restore the default brushes. Make a brush into a tool preset. Save the tool presets to a library. Create a new brush based on an existing brush. Create a brush from an image. Delete a brush. Smudge colors. Fill an area using the Paint Bucket. Erase part of a layer. Use the Background Eraser tool. Use the Magic Eraser tool. Auto erase. Apply tints to a grayscale image.

13. Gradients.
Apply a gradient as a fill layer. Apply a gradient using the Gradient tool. Create or edit a gradient preset. Save the current gradients to a file. Use alternate gradient libraries. Restore the default gradients. Change the opacity of gradient colors. Create a multicolor wash. Apply a gradient map to a layer.

14. More Layers.
Change a layer's opacity or fill. Applying layer effects. Remove an individual layer effect. Apply the Drop Shadow or Inner Shadow effect. Transform a Drop Shadow effect. Create a drop shadow without using an effect. Apply an Outer or Inner Glow effect. Apply the Bevel or Emboss effect. Change the profile of a contour. Apply the Satin effect. Apply the Satin effect. Apply the Color Overlay effect. Apply the Gradient Overlay effect. Apply the Pattern Overlay efect. Apply a Stroke effect. Other effects commands. The layer blending mades. Fine-tune the blending between two layers. Choose a knockout option for a layer. Blend a modified layer with the original layer. Create a layer mask. Reshape a layer mask. Move layer pixels or a layer mask independently. Duplicate a layer mask. Choose layer mask display options. Fill type with imagery using a layer mask. Temporarily deactivate a layer mask. Apply or discard the effects of a layer mask. Create a clipping group of layers. Remove a layer from a clipping group. Ungroup an entire clipping group. Link layers (and move them as a unit). Align two or more linked layers. Align the pixel edge of a layer with a selection. Distribute three or more linked layers.

15. Masks.
Chapter overview. Save a selection to channel using the current options settings. Save a selection to a channel and choose options. Display a channel selection. Load a channel onto an image using the current options. Load a channel selection onto an image and choose options. Save Selection Operations. Load Selection Operations. Reshape a selection using QuickMask mode. Ceate a Quick Mask without using a selection Choose Quick Mask options.

16. Paths/Shapes.
Chapter overview. Convert a selection into a path. Draw a path using the Pen tool. Draw a magnetic Freeform Pen path. The Freeform Pen Options po-up palette. Draw a path using the Freeform Pen. Move a Path. Add to an existing, open path. Transform an entire path. Transform points on a path. Copy a path in the same image. Drag-and-drop a path to another image. Save a work path. Display a path. Hide a path. Select anchor points on a path. Reshape a path. Delete a path. Deselect a path. Convert a path into a selection. Stroke a path. Fill a path. Export a path to Illustrator or FreeHand. Create a vector mask. Combine paths. Reshape a vector mask. Reposition a vector mask. Duplicate a vector mask. Deactivate a vector mask. Reverse the visible and hidden areas in a vector mask. Discard a vector mask. Convert layer mask into a vector mask. Create an adjustment layer that uses a vector mask. Create a vector mask from type. Create a shape layer. Create a work path using the shape tool. Create a geometric, ratserized pixel area. Choose geometric options for a shape tool. Reposition a shape layer's vector mask. Transform a shape layer. Modify the contour of an existing shape layer. Deactivate a shape layer's vector mask. Paste a path object from Illustrator into Photoshop as a shape layer. Use the pathfinder options to add or subtract shapes from each other. Add a shape to the custom shape picker. Change the fill contents of a shape layer. Rasterize a shape layer.

17. Type.
Different kinds of type. Create an editable type layer. Slect all or some characters on a type layer. Scale type by entering a value. Scale type by entering a value. Scale type by dragging. Adjust the spacing between (kern) a pair of characters. Adjust the spacing for (track) a series of characters. Adjust leading in horizontal type. Shift selected characters above or below the normal baseline. Style type using the Character palette. Change type orientation. Set paragraph alignment and justification. Adjust paragraph indents and spacing. Fine-tune paragraph settings. Transform a type bounding box and the type inside it. Transform a type bounding box, but not the type. Warp type on an editable layer. Move a type layer. Rasterize type into pixels. Screen back an image behind type. Screen back type. Fill type with imagery using Paste Into. Fill type with imagery using a clipping group of layers. Create fading type. Apply layer effects to semi-transparent type. Stroke a type layer. Create a type selection. Move a type selection. Create type in a spot channel. Edit type in a spot channel. Create a type mask for an adjustment layer. Find and replace text. Check spelling.

18. Filters.
How filters are applied. Using a filter dialog box. Lessening a filter's overall effect. Restricting the area a filter affects. Making filter effects look less artificial. Maximizing a filter's effect. Texture mapping using a filter. Artistic filters. Blur filters. Brush Strokes filters. Distort filters. Noise filters. Pixelate filters. Render filters. Sharpen filters. Sketch filters. Stylize filters. Texture filters. Create a wrinkled edge. Take the easy way out. Apply a texture using a layer mask. Turn a photograph into a painting or a drawing. Our watercolor filter. Apply the Mosaic filter using graduated values. Motion blur part of an image. Cast a light on an image. Generate a pattern. Navigate through tiles. Delete a tile. Save a tile as a preset pattern.

19. Liquify.
Distort an image using the Liquify command. Display the mesh using View Options controls. Remove all distortion from the preview image. Return all unfrozen areas to their initial state. Return individual unfrozen areas to their initial state. Extend distortions from frozen areas into unfrozen areas.

20. Automate.
Chapter overview. Create a new actions set.Chapter overview. Create a new actions set. Record an action. Insert a stop in an action. Insert a menu item in an action. Insert a path in an action. Exclude or include a command from playback. Play back an action on an image. Replay an action on a batch of images. Choose batch naming options. Create a droplet from an action. Add commands to an action. Delete a command from an action. Activate/deactivate a modal control in an action. Change the order of commands. Rerecord an entire action using different dialog box settings. Rerecord a single command in an action. Duplicate an action. Delete an entire action. Save an actions set to a file. Load an additional actions set onto the Actions palette. Replace the current actions set with a different actions set. Run one action in another action. Perform a conditional image mode change. Create a contact sheet. Fit image to width and/or height dimensions. Convert a multi-page PDF to Photoshop format. Create a picture package. Create a picture package. Create a Web gallery.

21. Preferences.
Reset all the preferences to their default values. Memory & Image Cache Preferences. General Preferences. File Handling Preferences. Display & Cursors Preferences. Transparency & Gamut Preferences. Units & Rulers Preferences. Guides, Grid, & Slices Preferences. Plug-ins & Scratch Disks Preferences. Use the preset Manager. Reset or replace a preset. Save a subset of items in their own library. Save an item in a new preset library from a palette or picker.

22. Print.
Printing from Photoshop. Choose a paper size and orientation. Print using the basic Print command. Print using the Print with Preview command. Print using color management. Apply trapping. Prepare a file for an IRIS or dye sublimation printer, or an imagesetter. Photoshop to QuarkXPress. Photoshop to InDesign. Photoshop to After Effects. Photoshop to Illustrator. Photoshop to CorelDRAW 10. Save an image as an EPS. Save an image as a DCS 2.0. Save an image as a TIFF. Save an RGB image as a BMP or PICT. Produce a duotone. Print a grayscale image using a Pantone tint. Enter custom CMYK settings. Save a Color Setting preset incorporating your custom CMYK settings. Create a custom proof setup. Correct out-of-gamut colors. Color correction: a first glance.

23. Web/ImageReady.
The basics. Image size. Compression. GIF. Color depth. JPEG. PNG-8 and PNG-24. Dithering. Anti-aliasing. The ImageReady toolbox. Optimize an image in the GIF or PNG-8 format. Create a master palette for optimized images in ImageReady. Apply a master palette to an image. Use weighted optimization. Use the ImageReady previews. Jump To. Quick-optimize. Create and apply a droplet. Optimize an image in the JPEG or PNG-24 format. Make flat-color areas Web-safe. Preview potential browser dither in an optimized image. Controlling dithering. Preview Windows and Mac gamma values. Change the gamma for an optimized file. Preview an optimized image in a browser on your system. Save a file in ImageReady. Save an optimized file in ImageReady. Update an existing HTML file. Change a Web Page title or embed copyright information. Enter type in ImageReady. Tips for creating online type. Slice an image using a command. Slice an image manually. Create a layer-based slice. Convert an auto slice or a layer-based slice into a user slice. Delete slices. Resize user slices. Slice an image into multiple links. Change the stacking position of a slice. Align user slicesalong a common edge. Evenly distribute user slices along a common axis. Create a layer-based image map. Create a tool-based image map. Change an image map from layer based to tool based. Hide/show image maps. Select an image map. Delete an image map. Align tool-based image maps along a common edge. Evenly distribute tool-based image maps along a common axis. Optimize an individual slice. Copy optimatization settings from one slice to another. Link slices. Unlink slices. Attach an Alt tag to a slice or to an entire image. Create a rollover for a slice. Create a rollover using a layer effect. Create a layer-based rollover. Use the Match command to apply attributes from the current layer. Use the Unify buttons to apply changes from the active layer. Preview a rollover in ImageReady. Preview a rollover in a Web browser. Create a secondary rollover. Create a button for a Web page. GIF animations. Move layer imagery across an image via animation. Make imagery fade in or out. Remove frames from an animation. Choose options for animation playback. Preview an animation. Create a rocking animation. Edit an animation. Making an existing animation reverse itself to the first frame. Apply a second animation effect to an existing animation. Make a rollover trigger an animation sequence. Create a warped type animation. Remove or adjust warped type. Save a GIF animation. Optimize an animation. Ways to slim an animation down. Apply layer effects in ImageReady. Remove a layer effect. Other layer features in ImageReady. Apply a style to a layer. Preserve a layer effect as a style. Create a tile for an HTML background. Preview an image as a tiled background. Attach an HTML tile file as a background for an image. Remove an HTML tile background or solid color from an image. Use Photoshop's Save for Web dialog box.

Appendix A. Keyboard Shortcuts.


Index.

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About the Author

Based in Connecticut, Elaine Weinmann and Peter Lourekas have also written, designed, and illustrated best-selling Visual QuickStart Guides to Photoshop, QuarkXPress, Illustrator, and Painter. Their books have been translated into 12 languages and have sold more than a million copies worldwide. They have taught at Pratt Manhattan, Cooper Union School of Art, the News School Computer Instruction Center, and Parsons School of Design.