You probably know what the software called Adobe Photoshop is for. It’s not just an image editing application – Photoshop is a huge platform for ideas and creativity related to image files, photos and drawings. Here you can not only modify existing files, but also create a completely new and unique product.
Welcome to Adobe Photoshop!
Indeed, Photoshop is used by almost all designers: from simple drawings to content to a full supply of illustrations for books, games and other products. To the delight of users, developers are constantly improving the program, adding new features and capabilities. That’s why it’s important to keep up to date with updates from Adobe. Now, after a short tour, let’s learn how to use Photoshop.
Where to get the program?
You can download the electronic version of the software from the official Adobe website at the download page //creative.adobe.com/en/products/download/photoshop?promoid=61PM825Y&mv=other. Here you must first register in the Adobe system to obtain AdobeID. Then fill in the fields provided by the download page and, after logging in, download the installation file and go through the installation procedure. It is important to note that for the first 30 days you can use your copy of the program for free. Then, after testing the product, you will be asked to purchase a license.
The developer provides several options for using the program
Adobe offers its users very reasonable prices for their products. Yes, you can buy Photoshop for a certain price per month, ie by subscription. The same option is offered for the CreativeCloud kit, which includes several Adobe programs. The cost and composition of the kit should always be clarified on the official website, as they may change. Also note that the system has special conditions for students and teachers, as well as corporate clients. Yes, you can save a decent amount when using Adobe services.
The first run of the program
After installation, you should run the application from a shortcut created on the desktop. When you first open it, a window will appear describing the program and notifying you that the 30-day trial period has begun. Click “Start Trial” and wait for the program to open. Now let’s move directly to how to work in Photoshop.
The work area is very comfortable and can be customized
Photoshop main menu
Above is the main menu with the following items:
- File. Here you can do all the operations to save the file, create a new one, print photos, import.
- Editing. As the name implies, in this section there are tools for changing various settings, of which there are a huge number. For example, here you can change the color settings. Here is the “Step back” function, which will answer your question about how to cancel the action in Photoshop.
- Image. Here are such parameters as image color correction, trimming, its rotation, cropping and more.
- Balls. In general, if the edited file contains many different elements, then each of them is done on a separate layer. For example, if you put text on top of a picture, it will automatically be created on a new layer. They are located at the bottom right. The item of the top menu “Layers” controls all settings concerning the discussed question on layers. Here you can create a new one, delete an existing one, add effects to it and so on.
- Text. From the name it is clear that it is regulated by this tab. All operations on the added text box are controlled in this item.
- Selection. Here you can select different objects (for example, layers). This is also important to know in order to learn how to work in Photoshop cs6.
- Filter. All filters and effects like blur, distortion and others are located here. You can also find other filters on the Internet by clicking on the appropriate menu item “Filter”.
- 3D. Here you can customize 3D layers and scenes for a photo or any other image.
- The “View” menu has all the options for displaying information on the screen: here you can see the auxiliary elements (grid, ruler, etc.), and adjust the guides.
- The Window allows you to add new panels to the workspace. For example, if you need a histogram, you just need to check the appropriate menu item “Window”.
- Well, the last item “Help”. Here is all the information about the product, the support center, as well as the tab to log in to AdobeID for more features.
The main functions are accessed through the menu hierarchy
Toolbar
The next thing you see below the main menu is the field with the settings of the tool that has been selected at the moment. These tools are located on the left panel. Let’s look at each of them. There is a button in parentheses for quick access to the function (all letters are English). Additional features when right-clicking are also described.
- Move (V). Allows you to move the selected object or area in any direction. You can also use it to rotate this object, rotate, reflect.
- Rectangular area (M). Highlights in the shape of a rectangle. You can also select in the form of an oval, horizontal and vertical lines.
- Lasso (L). There are also selection tools. You can choose from regular lasso, straight and magnetic lasso.
- Magic wand (W). Highlights the area in a special framework. There is also a quick selection.
- Frame (C). Image cropping. Also here are cutting, cropping perspective and highlighting a fragment.
- Pipette (I). Recognizes color when you click on a photo (the pixel you hit is taken into account). There is also a ruler, a comment, a counter, a color standard and a pipette of 3D material.
- Restoration brush (J). Also here are a point version of the tool, a patch, moving based on the content and a tool that allows you to remove the red-eye.
- Brush (B). It allows you to draw on top of a photo or can help you create a new image. It has quite flexible settings. In addition to the brush, there is a pencil, mix brush and color change.
- Stamp and pattern stamp (S).
- Archive brush (Y).
- The eraser (E) erases the area you control. The background eraser removes everything, including the background (that is, when saved in certain formats, the background will be transparent).
- The gradient (G) and the fill fill the selected fragment with color or gradient.
- The effect of the tools of blurring and sharpness is clear from their names, the finger moves the area like plasticine. You can, for example, move your eyebrow higher or lower your eyes.
- As in the previous case, the names of the tools coincide with their direct purpose: illuminator, dimmer and sponge. You can quickly access them by pressing the letter O on the keyboard.
- The pen (P) in different variations is located below the illuminator. Assists in drawing, adjusting and other operations performed on the image.
- Next is a tool for adding a text box. Is an integral part of understanding how to use Adobe Photoshop.
- Selection of the contour (A).
- The tool with different shapes allows you to add on a new or existing layer an object of any shape that is in the collection of the program.
- Next is the “Hand”, which allows you to move the photo. For example, if you have zoomed in and want to edit the image in such a close-up, then this tool will help you to go, for example, from one eye to another.
- Magnifier zooms in on photos.
- The two squares with black and white are the colors that are currently adjustable. That is, if the nearest square is red, the brush from point eight will paint red. The far square is responsible for the color of an ordinary eraser.
Many tools contain sub-tools
As you can see, there are many tools and all of them are difficult to learn at once. So try to give some time to each of them. Then you will know how to work with Photoshop cs6, for example.
The right area of the program
This area of the workspace is regulated using a special tab, where by default it is written “Main workspace”. There will be a color palette, a field with correction and styles, as well as a window with layers, channels and contours. You can change the environment to space for photography, drawing, movement and other adjustments.
Additional panels for work
results
Now you know how to work in Photoshop and have learned the basic tools of the program. And from now on you can fully enjoy the various instructions on the Internet, which describe many interesting lessons on creating amazing effects. From now on, your imagination will work for you, and all your ideas will come to life. Share your first works in the comments. Fruitful work, dear friends!
