PS101 Group B - USING PHOTOSHOP - BRIEF OVERVIEW

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/03/2007 04:31:24 AM · #1

OmanOtter,

rheverly,

alexjack,

Nuzzer,

shelw128,

acrotide,

Buckeye_Fan,

noraneko,

drewbixcube,

Greetmir,

hipychik

USING PHOTOSHOP - BRIEF OVERVIEW OF TOOLS, TIPS, TRICKS & SHORTCUTS
Mentor for this Group & Topic:

simms
Topic Author: Art Roflmao

Introduction and Disclaimers
For this first topic, I am going to try and cover some of the basics of the tools that I use. I have to confess that there are still several tools I have not explored so I am hoping the other mentors and student will feel free to discuss ones I have left out.

TOOL PALETTES AND WORKSPACE OVERVIEW

The first thing to remember about the Photoshop workspace is that it is highly customizable, so what you see in my workspace may look very different from your own. Mine is fairly generic / default-ish. Many of you may already know this, but you can drag palettes right out of their box and into another one, so you could have all your favortie palettes in one toolbox if that works for you.

Many times I like to move the palettes around or stretch the layers one out so I can read the titles and the workspace can get pretty messy.

I love being able to simply reset them by clicking (on the top menu) Window | Workspace | Reset Palette Locations. This is useful when you resize the application window as well.

PHYSICAL TOOLS
Mouse or Tablet, Keyboard, Monitor, Printer. The Monitor issues will be covered in a later topic and the printer will not be covered, so let's talk about the input devices. My weapon of choice for editing in Photoshop is a wireless mouse - two of them actually. One is always charging while I use the other because there is nothing more aggravating than your mouse dying while you are trying to create radioactive breath in a Godzilla pic - y'all know what I'm talking about, I'm sure. :) The Duke Nukem mousepad is optional, but recommended. I do have a Wacom tablet purchased from another member here on DPC. I tried it but it slowed me down so much I haven't taken the time to get used to it.

I invite any insight, tips, feedback, pros & cons of tablets vs. mice in this thread.

Ok, the second most important device for me is the keyboard! Use of the keyboard for switching tools and adjusting tool settings can speed up your editing process immensely. For that reason, I recommend that you get very familiar with the keystrokes for each of the primary editing tools on the tool palette. You can always find out what those are by mousing over the tool. Here are the ones I mainly use: Mask: M, Wand: W, Brush: B, Eraser: E, Blur: R, Paint Bucket: G, Text: T, Healing Brush: J

The left and right square brackets adjust the size of the tool you are using - this comes in very handy! [ = smaller, ] = bigger. Also, the SHIFT key used in conjunction with one of the tool letter shortcuts will cycle through the variations of that tool (i.e. SHIFT+R = toggle through Blur, Sharpen, Smudge).

The keyboard shortcut commands are also faster than clicking on the menus for common tasks like New File (ALT+F+N), Save As (CTRL+SHIFT+S), Resize (ALT+I+I) - get to know these shortcuts, they can increase your efficiency and keep you from dumping all the work on your poor, cramped up mouse hand.

LAYERS PALETTE OVERVIEW
I am talking about standard image layers - adjustment layers and layer blending modes will be covered in a future topic. Bear_Music covered layers quite well here, so I will just reiterate that the use of layers is a critical part of my process. I always duplicate a layer (CTRL+J) before I apply a filter or effect or start editing it - this is essentially creating a backup. You can always undo (CTRL+Z), but not if you have exceeded your set number of history steps, so a backup is always good. Also useful for bringing selective parts of the original image back into the picture.

HISTORY PALETTE
The History palette is the main place where all of your editing steps are recorded and can be undone.

You can setup complete, detailed tracking of your editing in the General Preferences. This is very useful for Challenge entries validation.

The History palette also holds special powers when it comes to actually editing your image. When used with the History Brush (Y), you can selectively undo edits upon edits in varying degrees by setting the opacity of the History Brush. More on this when we discuss techniques.

CLOSING SUMMARY AND ASSIGNMENTS
That's pretty much all I am going to cover for now. I do not want to reinvent the wheel, so I will reference again Bear's posts in a previous workshop that covered specific things in much greater detail. There is no assignment, so I can break the one topic per week rule and start working on the next topic (Working with Selection tools and Masks) and post it by Sunday.

The discussion for this topic should focus on general working processes, methods, etc. as well as Q&A about related issues. Feedback on the format, quantity and quality of the presentation is also open for discussion so we can improve as we move forward.

Recommended additional reading:
Basic Photoshop Workflow
Basic Examination and Functions of Photoshop
Photoshop Layers: the Basics
Photoshop Workflow: Where Do We Start and How Do We Proceed?

Message edited by author 2007-05-03 15:29:32.

shelw128

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

05/03/2007 07:25:03 AM · #2

I have a Wacom and experiment with it occassionally (its very sensitive and requires a very light touch. I always fall back on my cordless mouse when editing (comfort zone).
Love the tips and additional reading threads.
Shel

Ken

Canon EOS-7D

05/03/2007 07:37:29 AM · #3

Originally posted by shelw128:

Is there a setting for sensitivity? I've considered getting one but "very light touch" isn't quite for me.

Bruce_the_Robert

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

05/03/2007 10:02:03 AM · #4

This is a great start, Ken, thanks. I do need to learn shortcuts, and the ones you've posted are a good start! The other thread is helpful, too, but really long. For me, it would be helpful to know in the future if the "additional reading" can be safely skipped, or if you'll be relying on it later (ie, I have a much better understanding of layers and the differences between hue/saturation and color selection now that I've read that, but do we need that for your upcoming lessons, or could I have learned that another time?).

I do all my work on my laptop; it's all I have. I run into interesting issues with my screen/monitor, but for this discussion, I wonder: who else is using a laptop touchpad to do everything in their editing? It sometimes makes things hard. I recently tried using a mouse, and found myself always reaching for the touchpad, nothing would happen (I disabled it while the mouse was attached), and then I would get frustrated. I gave up (I give up on things often). Is it really worth it for me to get used to a mouse while editing? I do have some problems in spot editing/using the touchpad, so I'd be curious if anyone has gone from touchpad to mouse for editing.

Thanks for your efforts, Ken, I really appreciate them.

Best,

Rob

edited to add: P.S. Will links to the next thread be found in this thread or back in the introductory thread?

Message edited by author 2007-05-03 10:03:14.

drewbixcube

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

05/03/2007 11:45:25 AM · #5

Nice lecture! It was easy to read, informative (without being bulky), the icons and pictures were nice touches, all-in-all I'm glad I signed up.

I use a wired mouse to do my editing, but think I would love a tablet. I use a mouse right handed but am left handed...so maybe I could use both (interchangably). But am looking to spend my limited budget on other equipment currently.

Workspace is an issue for me as I have just started Photoshop 7.0 (my first experience with Photoshop) this winter. I just never know where anything is, but am now going to look into customizing my workspace so have everything I need available and hide stuff I don't use. I am hoping this "class" will help me figure out what tools/etc I will want to have readily available.

-drew

Buckeye_Fan

05/03/2007 12:20:56 PM · #6

Good start to this!! I have an optical mouse (wired) and I find it very easy to use. Hopefully I will soon upgrade to a wireless mouse. I have also though of getting a tablet. Does anyone have any good suggestions for one?

Peace,

g

Message edited by author 2007-05-03 12:21:36.

littlegett

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

05/03/2007 12:36:25 PM · #7

*crashing*

I use a track ball mouse, can't stand normal or wireless types of mice. But, I am wanting to get a tablet very soon. I grew up as a traditional artist and will love the control the tablet will give me.

*end crash*

05/03/2007 03:37:46 PM · #8

Originally posted by rheverly:

For me, it would be helpful to know in the future if the "additional reading" can be safely skipped, or if you'll be relying on it later

It is simply suggested - I'm not relying on it. I would just say if you don't think you got enough detail from this workshop, refer to the other one and see if you can get more useful info from it.

Originally posted by rheverly:

I do all my work on my laptop; it's all I have. I run into interesting issues with my screen/monitor, but for this discussion, I wonder: who else is using a laptop touchpad to do everything in their editing?

That's just plain nuts. :-) Switch to a PocketPC. :P

Originally posted by rheverly:

edited to add: P.S. Will links to the next thread be found in this thread or back in the introductory thread?

I'll put them in both places.

I'll let Simms or someone else from your group respond to some of your other questions / issues.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/03/2007 03:47:30 PM · #9

Just an FYI on the references to the recommended reading list. Bear_Music has consolidated all the information into one post in the Tips & Tricks forum, so if you want to read them without the clutter of the workshop discussions click here.

Thanks Robert!

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/06/2007 10:41:04 PM · #10

HI everyone in Group B. I am with you now, just getting a few things straightened out my end..

Hipychik

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

05/09/2007 08:40:15 AM · #11

Yay! I got CS2, can't wait to find out what to do with it!

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

05/12/2007 07:14:48 AM · #12

Please forgive my absence. Next Topic is now in session:
Selection Tools & Masks

NOTE: Everyone is still in their same group except I have rotated the mentors.

Hipychik

Sony Alpha a6000

05/12/2007 09:34:29 AM · #13

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:

Please forgive my absence. Next Topic is now in session:
Selection Tools & Masks

NOTE: Everyone is still in their same group except I have rotated the mentors.

Hey Art...I think I might be a lil' bit confused. I thought I was in group B.

wavelength

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

05/12/2007 09:35:51 AM · #14

Originally posted by hipychik:

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Please forgive my absence. Next Topic is now in session:
Selection Tools & Masks

NOTE: Everyone is still in their same group except I have rotated the mentors.

Hey Art...I think I might be a lil' bit confused. I thought I was in group B.

don't question the VillageBurner!! :P

Hipychik

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

05/12/2007 09:37:11 AM · #15

Originally posted by wavelength:

Originally posted by hipychik:

Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Please forgive my absence. Next Topic is now in session:
Selection Tools & Masks

NOTE: Everyone is still in their same group except I have rotated the mentors.

Hey Art...I think I might be a lil' bit confused. I thought I was in group B.

don't question the VillageBurner!! :P

Oh! I'm not questioning him, I'm just lost!