PhotoshopCC:TheMissingManual

LesaSnider

Beijing•Cambridge•Farnham•Köln•Sebastopol•Tokyo

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ForewordIntheshortbutcrowdedhistoryofconsumertechnology,onlytwoproductseverbecamesocommon,influential,andpowerfulthattheirnamesbecomeverbs.

Googleisone.

Photoshopistheother.

(“DidyouGooglethatguywhoaskedyouout?”“Yeah—he’scrazy.HePhotoshoppedhislastgirlfriendoutofallhispictures!”)

It’ssafetosaythatthesedays,notasinglephotographgetspublished,inprintoronline,withouthavingbeenprocessedinPhotoshopfirst.It’susuallyperfectlyinnocentstuff:alittlecoloradjustment,contrastboosting,orcropping.

Butnotalways.Sometimes,theeditingactuallychangesthephotosothatitnolongerrepresentstheoriginal,andallkindsofethicalquestionsarise.RememberwhenTVGuidePhotoshoppedOprah’sheadontoAnn-Margaret’sbody?WhenTimemagazinedarkenedO.J.Simpson’sskintomakehimlookmoremenacingonthecover?OrwhenNationalGeographicmovedtwoofthepyramidsclosertogethertoimprovethecomposition?

Well,yougetthepoint:ThankstoPhotoshop,photographyisnolongerareliablerecordofreality.Photoshopismagic.

Andnow,allthatmagicisinyourhands.Useitwisely.

Troubleis,Photoshopisamonster.It’shuge.Justopeningitislikewatchingaslumberingbeastheaveintoconsciousness.Dudes,Photoshophasover500menucommands.

Inshort,installingPhotoshopislikebeingtoldthatyou’vejustwona747jumbojet.Yousitdowninthecockpitandsurveytheendlesspanelsofcontrolsandswitches.Nowwhat?

Youdon’tevengetaprintedmanual.

IftherewereeverapieceofsoftwarethatneededtheMissingManualtreatment,itwasPhotoshop.

Thebeasthasbeentamedatlastbyitsnewmaster,LesaSnider:anatural-bornMissingManualauthorwithPhotoshopcredentialsaslongasyourarm.

ShehadworkedonMissingManuals,sidebysidewithmeinmyoffice,forfouryears,inallkindsofeditorialandproductioncapacities.Today,whenshe’snotwritingthebestsellingPhotoshopbook(you’rereadingit),she’soutintherealworld,teachingPhotoshopseminars,writingPhotoshoparticles,reviewingPhotoshopformagazines,andgenerallyservingasPhotoshopgurutothemasses.

TheMissingManualmantrarunsthroughherblood:Makeitclear,makeitentertaining,makeitcomplete(hencethethicknessofthisbook).Andaboveall,don’tjustidentifyafeature:Telluswhatit’sfor.Telluswhentouseit.(Andiftheansweris,“You’llneveruseit,”tellusthat,too.)

Now,I’llbethefirsttoadmitthatthisbookisn’tforeverybody.Infact,it’saimedprimarilyattwokindsofpeople:peoplewhohaveneverusedPhotoshop,andpeoplewho

have.

Butseriously,folks.Ifyou’renewtoPhotoshop,you’llfindpatient,friendlyintroductionstoallthosenuttyPhotoshoppyconceptslikelayers,colorspaces,imageresolution,andsoon.And,mercifully,you’llfindalotoflovingattentiontoatime-honoredMissingManualspecialty—tipsandshortcuts.AsPhotoshopproscantellyou,youprettymuchhavetolearnsomeofPhotoshop’sshortcutsoritwillcrushyoulikeabug.

Ontheotherhand,ifyoualreadyhavesomePhotoshopexperience,you’llappreciatethisbook’scoverageofPhotoshopCC2014’snewfeatures:FocusArea,perspectivewarp,newblurfilters,newfontfeatures,smartersmartguides,3Dprinting,andsoon.

In2013,Adobeannouncedthatfromnowon,youmustrentPhotoshop,monthlyoryearly.Youcannolongerbuyitoutright.Oneofthemotivations,Adobesaid,wasadesiretocreateanever-changing,ever-improvingPhotoshop.Therewouldn’tbeonemegalithicnewversioneverycoupleofyears.Instead,littleenhancementswouldcomealongallyearlong,addedassoonastheywereready.

Sowhatarewetomakeofthis“PhotoshopCC2014”thing?Arewebacktoyearlymegalithicreleases?HasAdobeabandoneditsPhotoshopForeverconcept?

Yesandno.ThecompanystillplanstoupdatePhotoshopallyearlong.Butitalsoplanstocreatetheperiodic“milestone”editionofPhotoshop,abreather,acatch-upversionthatrollsinallthelittlechanges(andafewmore)sincethelastone.Inpart,thisideaisacrumbthrowntopeoplewhowrite(andbuy)booksaboutPhotoshop;nobodywouldbeservedwellifPhotoshopwereashape-shiftingtargetforever.

Inanycase,getpsyched.Younowhaveboththemostfamous,powerful,magicalpieceofsoftwareonearthanda900+-pagetreasuremaptohelpyoufindyourway.

Theonlymissingingredientsaretime,somephotostoworkon,andalittlegoodtaste.You’llhavetosupplythoseyourself.

Goodluck!

—DavidPogue

DavidPogueisthefounderandanchorcolumnistforYahooTech.com,havingbeengroomedforthepositionby13yearsasthetechcolumnistfortheNewYorkTimes.He’sanEmmy-winningTVcorrespondent(CBSNewsandNOVAonPBS),aScientificAmericancolumnist,andthecreatoroftheMissingManualseries.

TheMissingCredits

AbouttheAuthor

LesaSniderisonamissiontoteachtheworldtocreate—anduse!—bettergraphics.She’saninternationallyacclaimedspeaker,astockphotographer,andthefounderofthecreativetutorialsitePhotoLesa.com.LesaistheauthorofTheSkinnyBookseriesofebooks(www.theskinnybooks.com)manyvideo-trainingworkshops(www.lesa.in/lesacl)andthecoauthorofiPhoto:TheMissingManual.ShewritesaregularcolumnforPhotoshopUser,PhotographicElementsTechniques,andMacworldmagazines.Lesaisalsoalong-timememberofthePhotoshopWorldDreamTeamofinstructorsandcanbespottedteachingatmanyotherconferencesaroundtheglobe.YoucanconnectwithheronlineonFacebook(www.facebook.com/PhotoLesa),YouTube(www.lesa.in/ytvideochannel),Twitter(@PhotoLesa),andPhotoLesa.com.

Duringherfreetime,you’llfindLesaatthedojopracticingMuayThaikickboxing,withherhusbandatasci-ficonventiondressedupinherStarTrekbest,orcookingItalianmeals.Email:lesa@photolesa.com.

AbouttheCreativeTeamDawnSchanafelt(editor)isassociateeditorfortheMissingManualseries.Whennotworking,sheplayssoccer,makesbeadedjewelry,andcausestrouble.Email:dawn@oreilly.com.

MelanieYarbrough(productioneditor)worksandplaysinCambridge,Massachusetts,wheresheenjoysbakingasmuchaspossibleandbikingaroundthecity.Email:myarbrough@oreilly.com.

NanReinhardt(proofreader)isnotonlyafreelancecopyeditorandproofreader,butsheisalsoamulti-publishedromancenovelist.Nanandherhusbanddividetheirtimebetweenacityhomeandalakecottage(bothintheMidwest),wheretheyenjoyswimming,boating,andfishing.Email:nan@nanreinhardt.com.

RonStrauss(indexer)specializesintheindexingofinformationtechnologypublicationsofallkinds.RonisalsoanaccomplishedclassicalviolistandlivesinNorthernCaliforniawithhiswifeandfellowindexer,Annie,andhisminiaturepinscher,Kanga.Email:rstrauss@mchsi.com.

ShangaraSingh(technicalreviewer)istheauthorofthepopularexamaidsforPhotoshopandLightroom—studyguidesforpeoplewhowanttobecomeanAdobeCertifiedExpert,oranAdobeCertifiedAssociate—publishedbyExamaids.com.Hehasalsoauthoredakeywordhierarchyforstockphotographers(Keyword-Catalog.com),andhashisownstockphotowebsite,SensaStockImages.com(SensaStockImages.com).

AcknowledgementsThisbookisdedicatedtomyhusband,JayNelson,formakingeverydaylifeincrediblyfunandforlearningtoappreciateheavymetalmusic,namelyOzzyOsbourne.

I’dliketoexpressgalacticthankstoiStockphoto.comandFotolia.comforprovidingsomeoftheimageryinthisbook.AbighugandthankstoDavidPoguewhosograciouslywrotetheforewordforthisbook.ToJeffandScottKelbyforbelievinginmeandnurturingmycareerinimmeasurableways.ToDerrickStoryforhiswisdombeforeIgotstartedonthisproject,andagreatbigjugofUmbrianvinorossotoDawnSchanafeltforeditingthisbookandkeepingmeontrack.HerinputmakesmeabetterwriterandI’mluckytohaveheronourteam.Tomybrilliantandlong-timetecheditor,ShangaraSingh,whoseexpertisehashelpedcreatethebestPhotoshopbookyetandwhosehumorouscommentsalwaysmakemegiggle.

SpecialthankstoMarcusConge(www.digitalmanipulation.com)andJayNelsonforhelpingwiththe3Dchapter,toRodHarlanforconsultingonvideoediting,toRichardHarrington(www.photoshopforvideo.com)forhelpingwithactions,toTazTally(www.taztallyphotography.com)forhelpingwiththeprintchapter,aswellasBertMonroy(www.bertmonroy.com)andVeronicaHanleyforguidanceonallthingsvector-related.ToDeborahFox(www.deborahfoxart.com)forthebeautifulartinthepaintingchapter,toTanyaandRichardHoriefortheirexpertadviceonthepaintingchapterandbrushcustomizationoptions(aswellascreatingmylogo),toKarenNaceWillmore(www.karennace.com)forherHDRandwide-anglephotography,andtoJeffGamet(www.macobserver.com)forkeepingmesaneandhelpingwiththefirsteditionofthisbook.

Tomyesteemedcolleagues—andgoodfriends—JackDavis,BenWillmore,EddieTapp,JudyHost,PeterCohen,Gary-PaulPrince,LarryBecker,KevinAmes,TerryWhite,DaveMoser,andAndyIhnatko,whoallexpressedtheirprideandconfidenceinme.I’dalsoliketothankourcreativeLIVE.comfamilyforpromotingthisbook,aswellasLensProToGo.comforsupplyingmewithincredibleCanongeartoshootwith(ifyouneedtorentcameragear,they’rethebest!).

Lastbutnotleast,bucketsofappreciationtomyfriendswhogavetheirsupport—oracocktail!—whenIneededitmost:MasterVuTran,BobandElsbethDiehl,KathrynKroll,LeslieFishlock,andmostimportantly,FranSnider,thebestmamaagirlcouldhave(wishDaddycould’veheldthisbook!).Toourbeautifulkitties,SamanthaandSherlock,whoforcedmetogetoutofmyprettypurpleAeronchairandplayTheLaserPointerGamewiththematexactly5:15pmeachday.

Maythecreativeforcebewithyouall!

—LesaSnider

IntroductionCongratulationsonbuyingoneofthemostcomplicatedpiecesofsoftwareevercreated!Fortunately,it’salsooneofthemostrewarding.Nootherprogramonthemarketletsyoumassage,beautify,andtransformimageslikePhotoshop.It’ssopopularthatpeopleuseitsnameasaverb:“Dude,youPhotoshoppedtheheckoutofhim!”You’dbehard-pressedtofindapublishedimagethathasn’tspentsomequalitytimeinthisprogram,andthosethatdidn’tprobablyshouldhave.

Thebadnewsisthatit’satoughprogramtolearn;youwon’tbecomeaPhotoshopguruovernight.Luckily,youholdinyourhotlittlehandsabookthatcoverstheprogramfromapracticalstandpoint,soyou’lllearnthekindsoftechniquesyoucanuseeveryday.It’swritteninplainEnglishfornormalpeople,soyoudon’thavetobeanykindofexperttounderstandit.You’llalsolearnjustenoughtheory(whereappropriate)tohelpyouunderstandwhyyou’redoingwhatyou’redoing.

NOTE

PriortoPhotoshopCC,Adobeofferedtwoversionsoftheprogram:PhotoshopStandardandPhotoshopExtended,whichincludedextrafeaturessuchas3Dtools.ButtheycombinedthosetwoversionsintoPhotoshopCC,soyougetallthefeatures.

What’sNewinPhotoshopCC2014AdobehasaddedsomeincrediblyusefulnewfeaturestoPhotoshopCC2014,especiallywhereproductivityisconcerned.Graphicdesignerswillbeespeciallypleasedwithallthenewfeaturesandtimesavinggoodies,althoughthere’salsoalotofgoodstuffforphotographers,too.

Perhapsthefirstthingyou’llnoticeisthatAdoberedesignedmostoftheprogram’sdialogboxestoaccommodateRetinadisplays(Apple’ssuper-highresolutionmonitors,calledHiDPIonPCs),sothey’renoticeablyshorterandwider(they’realsoadarkergrayandthebuttonsaresquare,sotheylookmoreWindows-likethanMac-likeintheirdesign).

Here’saquickoverviewofallthenewstuff(don’tworryifyoudon’tyetunderstandsomeofthetermsusedhere—you’lllearnthemasyoureadthroughthisbook):

Newblurfilters.ThisversionofPhotoshopCCsportstwoadditionstotheBlurGalleryfamilyoffiltersthatletyousimulatemotioninaphotothatdoesn’thaveany(orthatdoesn’thaveenough).ThePathBlurfilterletsyoucreatetheappearanceofmotionalongapaththatyoudraw—itcanbestraightorriddledwithcurves—andthenfine-tunetheblur’sdirection,angle,speed,andevenhowmuchblurringoccursatthepath’sstartandendpoints.AndtheSpinBlurfilterletsyouputanincrediblyrealisticspinonanyobjectbyusingasimplesetofon-imagecontrols.Bothfiltersletyoucustomizehowblurrytheobjectappears.Typekitaccess,fontsearches,andinstantfontpreviews.OneofthegreatbenefitsofhavingasubscriptiontoAdobe’sCreativeCloudservice(seetheboxonMeettheCreativeCloud)thatitgivesyouaccesstohundredsoffontsviatheonlinefontserviceTypekit(www.Typekit.com).Inthisversionoftheprogram,youcangettothesefontsrightfromPhotoshop’sfontfamilymenuand—onceyouinstallthem(whichisincrediblyeasy)—youcanusetheminanyprogramonyourmachinethatsportsafontmenu.Alsonewintherealmoftextistheabilitytosearchallyourinstalledfontsbytypingpartofafont’sname(orattribute)intothefontfamilymenu.Andwhenatypelayerisactive,youcanpointtoanyfontinthefontfamilymenuandPhotoshoppreviewsyourexistingtextinthatfont,rightthereinyourdocument.Bettersmartguides.Theseincrediblelayeralignmenthelpersarenowturnedonautomatically,andnowshowyoualotmoreinfoaboutthespacinginyourdocument.WhenyouhavetheMoveorPathSelectiontoolactive,youcan⌘-click(Ctrl-clickonaPC),andthenpointanywhereinyourdocumenttoseedistancemeasurementsbetweenthecurrentlyactivelayer’scontentandeverythingelseinthedocument(evenitsedge).ByOption-dragging(Alt-dragging)anobject,youcanbothduplicatethatlayerandseethedistancebetweentheduplicateandtheoriginalobjectasyoudrag.Synclayercompsandaccesstheminsmartobjects.Layercompsletyoucreatemultipleversionsofanimageordesignwithouthavingtoduplicatethedocument.Newinthisversionoftheprogram,youcanupdatelayercompsbysyncingthemwiththelayersyouupdated(abigtimesaverwhenyoumakeaglobalchangetoyourproject),plusyoucanaccessadocument’slayercompsafteryou’veplaceditintoanotherdocumentasasmartobject—withoutopening(editing)thesmartobject.Linkedsmartobjects.Insteadofembeddingsmartobjectcontentintoyourdocuments,youcannowlinkthentoexternalcontent.Thisisgreatnewsforboth

designersandphotographerswhoroutinelycombinelargefilesintoasingledocument.Youcannowalsoconvertanembeddedsmartobjectintoalinkedone,orvice-versa.ThePropertiespanel,Infopanel,andstatusbarcanalldisplayhandyinfoaboutlinkedsmartobjects,aswellashelpyoufixanybrokenlinks(causedbyrenamingormovingthelinkedfileonyourharddrive)andupdateanycontentthatyouchangedwhilethePhotoshopdocumentthatcontainsitwasclosed.Finally,thenewPackagecommandcopiesthePhotoshopdocumentandallitslinkedcontentsoyoucaneasilyhandthewholeshebangofftosomeoneelse.Selectin-focusareaswithFocusArea.Thisnewcommandsummonsadialogboxthatautomaticallyselectsthein-focuspartsofanimage.Itdoesagreatjobifthephotohasastrongfocalpointandablurrybackground,andthedialogboxincludesacoupleofslidersandbrushesthatyoucanusetofine-tunetheselection.YoucanalsosendtheselectionstraightovertotheRefineEdgedialogboxformoretweaking.Bettercolorblendingwithcontent-awaretools.AllofPhotoshop’scontent-awaretoolsnowworkfasteranddoabetterjobofblendingcolors,especiallywhenyouusetheminanareathat’sagradient(thinkskies,water,andsoon).Thesedays,insteadofhavingadaptationpresetsforthePatchandContent-AwareMovetools,yougetaStructureandaColorfieldthatletyouenterprecisesettingsformorerealisticblending.AdobealsoupdatedtheFillcommand’sContent-Awareoptiontoperformbetterblending,anditnowincludesaColorAdaptationcheckbox.Editablescriptedpatterns.Scriptedpatternsareafantasticwaytocreatenewtexturesandbackgrounds,althougheditingtheJavaScriptthatpowers’emwasarealpain.Now,choosingoneoftheeightbuilt-inscriptssummonsadialogboxthatletsyoueasilycustomizethepattern’sdensity,size,andcolorvariations.Youcanapplyscriptedpatternstopaths,too,aswellassaveyourcustomizationsashandypresetsthatyoucanuseagainlater.Perspectivewarp.Thiscommandletsyouchangetheperspectiveofanimage,butonlyincertainareasthatyouspecify.Bydrawingagridatopyourimage,youcanwarpthatareatomakestufflikebuildingsandflatsurfaceslookcorrect(inotherwords,straightinsteadofangled).EditablemasksforCameraRaw’sGraduatedandRadialfilters.CameraRaw’sGraduatedandRadialfiltersareperfectforapplyinggradualchangestoaphotoinalinearorcircularfashion(respectively).Andyoucannoweditthemasksmadebybothfiltersbyusingabrush.(CameraRawisdiscussedthroughoutthisbook,butthebulkofthecoverageisinChapter9.)ExportwebgraphicswithGenerator.Tothedelightofwebdesignersworldwide,thenewGeneratorfeatureletsyouinstantlyexportwebgraphicsthatyou’vedesignedinPhotoshop—andevencreatesubfolderstoorganizethem—justbyusingcertainlayernames.You’vegottotrythisfeaturetobelieveit.3Dprinting.Youcannowprint3Dobjectsonalocal3Dprinterorsendyourfileofftoa3D-printingservicefrominsidePhotoshop.TheprintpreviewthatyougetisincredibleandevenshowsyoutheareasPhotoshopfilledintomaketheobjectsolidenoughtoprint.Ifyougotheprinting-serviceroute,thepreviewevenestimateshowmuchtheprojectwillcost.Chapter21helpsyougetstartedworkingintheincreasinglypopularrealmof3D.

TherearealsotonsoflittlechangesinPhotoshopCC2014,thedirectresultofAdobe’s

customer-feedbackinitiativecalledJustDoIt(JDI).Here’salist:Youcanunlockabackgroundlayerbysingle-clickingitspadlockicon(hooray!);youcanturntheColorpanelintoaColorPickerthat’salwaysopen;younolongerhavetounlockabackgroundlayertoaddavector-basedlayermasktoit;youcancreategradientswithasinglecolorstop;andtheprocessforsyncingyoursettingstotheCreativeCloudissimplerandnowincludesworkspaces,keyboardshortcuts,andmenucustomizations.Youcanalsoexport3DcolorlookuptablesforuseinAdobe’spro-levelvideoeditingapps;andtheCopyCSScommandnowunderstandsinner-shadowlayerstyles.WhenusingtheLiquifyfilter,youcanpintheimage’sedgesdownsotheydon’tgetwarped.TheBrushespaneldisplaysthelast30brushesyouusedatthetopofitspanelforquickaccess,andusesaspecialhighlightcolortoletyouknowwhenyou’vemodifiedabrush’ssettings.There’salsoanExperimentalFeatureManagertuckedinsidePhotoshop’spreferencesthatletsyouaccess“notyetreadyforprimetime”featuresthatAdobeperiodicallyreleases.

Unfortunately,AdoberemovedsomeusefulpanelsbecausetheywereFlashbased,includingtheMiniBridge,Kuler,andAdobeExchangepanels(though,asOtherColorScheme–GeneratingToolsexplains,youcandownloadKulerfromtheAdobeAdd-OnwebsiteasanHTML-basedpanel).TheOilPaintfilteralsowentthewayofthedodobirdinthisversionduetooutdatedcode(easycome,easygo!).

FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTION:MEETTHECREATIVECLOUD

Dude,whattheheckhappenedtoPhotoshopCS7?Whatonearthdoes“CC”mean?

Greatquestion.AfterCS6,Adobedecidedtostopshippingboxed,perpetuallylicensedversionsoftheirproducts.Thesedays,youronlyoptionistosubscribeto—andthendownload—thesoftware.

UsingaservicecalledtheAdobeCreativeCloud,youcansubscribeonanannualormonthlybasistooneorallofAdobe’sproducts.Forexample,asingle-appCreativeCloudsubscriptionforPhotoshopCCcostsabout$20amonthandgivesyouaccesstobothMacandPCversionsoftheprogramthatyoucaninstallonuptotwomachines(say,adesktopandlaptop).IfyouusetwoormoreAdobeprograms(say,PhotoshopandInDesign),it’scheapertosubscribetoalloftheirproductsforabout$50amonthwhich,asofthiswriting,includes24programsandservices(bothMacandPCversions)—includingaccesstoAdobeTypekitandtheabilitytoshareyourprojectsviaBehance(seetheboxonSharingImagesonBehance).Thatsaid,AdobeoffersaspecialsubscriptiongearedtowardphotographerswhereinyougetPhotoshopandPhotoshopLightroomforaslick$10permonth(visitwww.lesa.in/pslrfor10fordetails).Thesepricesmaychange,ofcourse,socheckwithAdobeforcurrentpricing.

Whicheveroptionyouchoose,yousimplysubscribe,andthendownloadthesoftwaretoyourmachineusingtheCreativeCloudapplication.Afterthat,yourAdobesoftwarephoneshomeonceamonthviatheInternettovalidateyouraccount;ifAdobecan’tvalidateyouraccount,yoursoftwarestopsworking(alongwithyourfonts).Inotherwords,ifyoudon’tpay,youdon’tgettousethesoftware(thoughthereisa30-daygraceperiodif,forwhateverreason,yourcomputercan’tconnecttotheInternet).

Onceyou’reaCreativeCloudsubscriber,youget20GBofstoragespace,whichyoucanusetohostwebsitesandsyncdocumentsbetweencomputersandtablets(thinkiPads),andtobackupdocumentsorsharethemwithothers(regardlessofwhetherthosefolkshaveCreativeCloudsubscriptions).YoualsogettheabilitytosynccustomsettingstotheCloudsothey’reaccessibleonothermachines:WhenyousubscribetotheCreativeCloudandtheninstallPhotoshop,yourAdobeIDappearsinthePhotoshopmenu(theEditmenuonaPC)withasubmenuthatcontainsUploadSettingsandDownloadSettingscommands.

YoucanalsosyncdocumentstotheCreativeCloudsoyoucanaccess’emonothercomputers(homeandwork,say).Forexample,youcandesignateafolderonyourharddrive,andthenanyitemsyouputintoitautomaticallysynctotheCreativeCloud.SubscribersalsogettheirhandsonnewfeaturesassoonasAdoberolls’emout;theCreativeCloudappnotifiesyouoftheupdateandyoucaninstallitwheneveryouwant.Withlargerupdates,suchasthePhotoshopCC2014update,youinstallawholenewcopyoftheprogram.Ifyoudon’tneedtheolderversion,justdeleteitfromyourmachinefoldertoreclaimsomeharddrivespace.However,ifyourworkflowdependsonafeaturethatwaschangedorremoved,youmaywanttokeepitaround.(TolearnthecurrentversionnumberofyourcopyofPhotoshopCC,chooseHelp→SystemInfo.)

AdobewillcontinuetosellandsupportPhotoshopCS6forawhile;butthat’sthelastlicensedcopyyou’lleverget(andthere’snothingwrongwithkeepingitonyourmachineifyoualreadyownit—infact,it’sagoodidea).Likeitornot,we’renowintheeraofrentalsoftware.(TogetthemostfromyourCreativeCloudsubscription,checkoutyourauthor’sebook,MakingtheMostofAdobe’sCreativeCloudatwww.theskinnybooks.com.)

Ifyou’reinNorthAmericaortheUnitedKingdom,youcanpurchaseaCreativeCloudsubscriptionthroughAdobe.com,Amazon.com,orStaples.com.FolksinothercountriesshouldgothroughAdobe.com.

Andthat,dearfriends,iswhytheprogramisnowcalledPhotoshopCreativeCloud,a.k.a.PhotoshopCC2014.

AboutThisBookAdobehaspulledtogetheranamazingamountofinformationinitsonlinehelpsystem(seeonlineAppendixB,availablefromthisbook’sMissingCDpageatwww.missingmanuals.com/cds),butdespitealltheseefforts,it’sgearedtowardseasonedPhotoshopjockeysandassumesalevelofskillthatyoumaynothave.Theexplanationsareveryclippedandtothepoint,whichmakesitdifficulttogetarealfeelforthetoolortechniqueyouneedhelpwith.

That’swherethisbookcomesin.It’sintendedtomakelearningPhotoshopCCtolerable—andevenenjoyable—byavoidingtechnicaljargonasmuchaspossibleandexplainingwhyandwhentouse(oravoid)certainfeaturesoftheprogram.Thisfriendly,conversationalapproachismeanttoappealtobeginnersandseasonedpixelpushersalike.

Someofthetutorialsinthisbookrefertofilesyoucandownloadfromthisbook’sMissingCDpageontheMissingManualswebsite(www.missingmanuals.com/cds)soyoucanpracticethetechniquesyou’rereadingabout.Andthroughoutthebook,you’llfindseveralkindsofsidebararticles.Theoneslabeled“UptoSpeed”helpnewcomerstoPhotoshopdothingsorunderstandconceptsthatveteransareprobablyalreadyfamiliarwith.Thoselabeled“PowerUsers’Clinic”covermoreadvancedtopicsforthebraveofheart.

NOTE

PhotoshopCCfunctionsalmostidenticallyonMacandWindowscomputers,butforthesakeofconsistency,thescreenshotsinthisbookwerealltakenonaMac.However,thekeyboardshortcutsforthetwooperatingsystemsaredifferent,soyou’llfindbothincludedhere—Macshortcutsfirst,followedbyWindowsshortcutsinparentheses,likeso:“press⌘-A(Ctrl+A).”Thelocationsofafewfoldersdiffer,too;inthosecases,yougetthedirectionsforbothoperatingsystems.

AbouttheOutlineThisheftybookisdividedintosixparts,eachdevotedtothetypeofthingsyou’lldoinPhotoshopCC:

Part1.Here’swhereyou’lllearntheessentialskillsyouneedtoknowbeforemovingforward.Chapter1givesyouthelayofthelandandteachesyouhowtoworkwithpanelsandmakethePhotoshopworkspaceyourown.You’llalsofindoutthemanywaysofundoingwhatyou’vedone,whichiscrucialwhenyou’relearning.Chapter2covershowtoopenandviewdocumentsefficiently,andhowtosetupnewdocumentssoyouhaveasolidfoundationonwhichtobuildyourmasterpieces.Chapter3divesintothemostpowerfulPhotoshopfeatureofall:layers.You’lllearnaboutthedifferentkindsoflayersandhowtomanagethem,thepoweroflayermasks,andhowtouselayerstylesforspecialeffects.Chapter4explainshowtoselectpartofanimagesoyoucaneditjustthatarea.InChapter5,you’lldiveheadfirstintothescienceofcolorasyouexplorechannels(whichstorethecolorsthatmakeupyourimages)andlearnhowtousechannelstocreateselections;you’llalsopickupsomechannel-specificeditingtipsalongtheway.

NOTE

Inthisbook,theword“select”isusedonlytorefertotheactofcreatingselections.Inmostotherinstances,theword“activate”isusedinstead,asin“activatethelayer”or“activatetheCroptool.”

Part2.Chapter6startsoffbyexplainingthevariouswaysyoucancropimages—bothinPhotoshopandinCameraRaw—andthendemystifiesresolutionsoyou’llunderstandhowtoresizeimageswithoutreducingtheirquality.InChapter7,you’lllearnhowtocombineimagesinavarietyofways,fromsimpletechniquestomorecomplexones.Chapter8coversdraining,changing,andaddingcolor,armingyouwithseveraltechniquesforcreatinggorgeousblack-and-whiteimages,deliciousduotones,partial-coloreffects,andmore.You’llalsolearnhowtochangethecolorofalmostanything.Chapter9focusesoncolor-correctingimages,beginningwithautofixer-uppers,andthenmovingontothewonderfullysimple(yetpowerful)worldofCameraRawandthemorecomplicatedrealmofLevelsandCurves.Chapter10isallaboutretouchingimagestochangerealityandispackedwithpracticaltechniquesforslimmingandtrimming.Thischapteralsocoversusingthevariouscontent-awaretoolstoremoveobjectsorscootthemfromonespottoanother,aswellashowtousethePuppetWarpcommandtomovejustyoursubject’sarmsandlegs.Chapter11explainswhatsharpeningreallyis,andcoverswhichsharpeningmethodtousewhentomakeyourimageslookespeciallycrisp.

UPTOSPEED:WHATDOES“64-BIT”MEAN?

Thecoolphraseincomputingcirclesforthepastfewyearshasbeen“64-bit.”Whilethattermmaysoundprettygeeky,it’sactuallynotthatintimidating:64-bitprograms(a.k.a.“applications”or“apps”)simplyknowhowtocounthigherthan32-bitprograms.

Sowhatdoesthatmeaninpractice?32-bitprogramscanopenandworkwithfilesthatareupto4gigabytesinsize—whichishuge.But64-bitprogramscanopenfilesthatarewaybiggerthanthat,aslongasyourcomputer’soperatingsystemcanhandle64-bitapps.(MacOSX10.5[Leopard]andMicrosoftWindowsVista[the64-bitversion,anyway]andlaterareuptothetask.)

64-bitprogramscanalsomakeuseofmorememorythantheir32-bitcounterparts,whichiscrucialwhenyou’reworkingwithbighonkin’files.Forexample,the64-bitversionofPhotoshopletsyouusemorethan4gigsofRAM,whichmakesitrunfaster.(Youcanchangehowyourmachine’smemoryisallottedbytweakingPhotoshop’spreferencesasdescribedonTheMissingCredits–TheMissingCredits.)

OlderversionsofPhotoshopwereavailableinboth32-bitand64-bitversions,butPhotoshopCCisavailableonlyin64-bit(evenonWindowscomputers),whichisgreatnewsifyouworkwithlargefiles.Andsincemostthird-partyplug-ins(Chapter19)andfilters(Chapter15)nowworkin64-bitmode,there’slittlereasontocastasingleglancebackward.Thatsaid,youcanstillsharePhotoshopfileswithbothMacandPCfolks,justlikeyoualwayshave.

Part3.Thispartofthebookisallaboutcreativity.Chapter12explainsthemanywaysofchoosingcolors,andteachesyouhowtocreateapaintingfromscratch.Chapter13focusesonusingthemightyPentooltocreatecomplexillustrationsandselections,alongwithhowtousePhotoshop’svariousshapetools.Chapter14teachesyouthebasicsoftypography,andthenmovesontocreatingandformattingtextinPhotoshop.You’llfindouthowtooutline,texturize,andplacephotosinsidetext,amongotherfun-yet-practicaltechniques.Chapter15coversthewideworldoffilters,includinghowtousesmartfilters;you’llcomeawaywithatleastonepracticaluseforoneormoreofthefiltersineverycategory.Part4.InChapter16,you’lllearnaboutprintingimages,beginningwithanexplanationofwhyit’ssodarnhardtomakewhatcomesoutofyourprintermatchwhatyouseeonscreen.You’lldiscovertheprogramsdifferentcolormodesandfindouthowtoprepareimagesforprinting,whetheryou’reusinganinkjetprinteroracommercial

printingpress.Chapter17focusesonpreparingimagesfortheWeb,walksyouthroughthevariousfileformatsyoucanuse,explainshowtoprotectyourimagesonline,andexplainshowtoexportwebgraphicsusingGenerator.RoundingoutthechapterisinfoonusingtheSlicetoolonawebpagedesign,andstep-by-stepinstructionsforcreatinganimatedGIFs.Part5.Thispartisallaboutworkingsmarterandfaster.Chapter18coversactions(whichhelpyouautomatetasksyouperformregularly),andexplainshowtocreategorgeouswatermarks.Chapter19coversinstallingandusingplug-ins(smallprogramsyoucanaddtoPhotoshop),andrecommendssomeofthebest.Chapter20teachesyouhowtoeditvideosinPhotoshopandcreatestunningvideoportfolios,Chapter21getsyoustartedcreatingandworkingwith3Dobjectsandtext,andChapter22explainshowtouseAdobeBridgeforsomeslickorganizationandbatch-processingtricks.PartSix:Appendixes.AppendixAcoversinstalling(anduninstalling)Photoshop.AppendixBofferssometroubleshootingtips,explainsPhotoshop’shelpsystem,andpointsyoutoresourcesbesidesthanthisbook.AppendixCgivesyouatourofthemightyToolspanel.AndAppendixDwalksyouthroughPhotoshopCC’s200+menuitems.Alltheappendixesareavailablefromthisbook’sMissingCDpageatwww.missingmanuals.com/cds.

ForPhotographersIfyou’rerelativelynewtodigital-imageeditingoryou’vealwaysshotfilmandaretakingyourfirstbravestepsintotheworldofdigitalcameras,you’llbeamazedatwhatyoucandoinPhotoshop,butitcanalsobeabitoverwhelming.BybreakingPhotoshopdownintodigestiblechunksthataremostimportanttoyou,thelearningprocesswillfeellessdaunting.(There’snosenseintacklingthewholeprogramwhenyou’llonlyuseaquarterofit—ifthatmuch.)

Themostimportantthingtorememberistobepatientandtrynottogetfrustrated.Withtimeandpractice,youcanmasterthebitsofPhotoshopthatyouneedtodoyourjobbetter.Andwiththehelpofthisbook,you’llconquereverythingfasterthanyoumightthink.Asyougainconfidence,youcanstartbranchingoutintootherpartsoftheprogramtobroadenyourskills.

Here’sasuggestedroadmapforquicklylearningthemostusefulaspectsoftheprogram:

1. ReadallofChaptersChapter1andChapter2(orattheveryleastskimthem).ThesetwochaptersshowyouwheretofindallofPhotoshop’stoolsandfeatures,andexplainhowtheprogramisorganized.You’lllearnhowtoopen,view,andsaveimages,whichisvitalstufftoknow.

2. Ifyourphotosaren’tonyourcomputeralready—andyoudon’tusePhotoshopLightroom—readChapter22aboutAdobeBridge.Bridgeisanamazinglypowerfulimageorganizerandbrowserthatcanhelpgetyourimagesontoyourcomputer.Ittakescareofimporting,renaming,andevenbackingupyourpreciousphotos.Thatsaid,ifyouuseLightroom,youcanskiptheBridgechapter.

3. Ifyoushootinrawformat(seetheboxonRawversusJPEG)andneedtocolor-correctyourimagesinahurry,readthesectioninChapter9oneditinginCameraRaw(CorrectingImagesinCameraRaw).

ThatchapterincludesawholesectiononpracticaleditingtechniquesyoucanuseinCameraRaw,andaquickreferencethatpointsyoutowhereyou’llfindotherCamera-Rawtechniquesthroughoutthisbook.

4. Ifyoudon’tshootinrawandyouneedtoresizeyourimagesbeforeeditingthem,readChapter6.Thatchapterexplainsresolutionandhowtoresizeimageswithoutreducingtheirquality.

5. ProceedwithChaptersChapter8,Chapter9,andChapter10tolearnaboutcoloreffects,correctingcolorandlighting,andallmannerofretouching(retouchingportraits,movingandremovingobjects,andsoon),respectively.

6. Whenyou’rereadytosharpenyourimages,readChapter11.7. Finally,whenyouwanttoprintyourphotos,readthesectiononprintingwith

aninkjetprinterinChapter16(PrintingonanInkjetPrinter).Thechapterwalksyouthroughtheprintingprocess.

That’sallyouneedtogetstarted.Whenyou’rereadytodivefurtherintoPhotoshop,pickbackupatChapter3,whichcoverslayers,andthenmoveonthroughthebookastimepermits.

TheVeryBasicsThisbookassumesthatyouknowhowtouseacomputerandthat,tosomeextent,you’reanexpertdouble-clickerandmenuopener.Ifnot,here’saquickrefresher:

Toclickmeanstomovethepointofyourcursoroveranobjectonscreen,andthenpresstheleftmouseortrackpadbuttononce.Todragmeanstoclickanobjectandthen,whilestillholdingdownthemousebutton,movethemousetomovetheobject.Todouble-clickmeanstopresstheleftbuttontwice,quickly,withoutmovingthecursorbetweenclicks.Toright-clickmeanstopresstherightmousebuttononce,whichproducesamenuofspecialfeaturescalledashortcutmenu(a.k.a.contextualmenu).Ifyou’reonaMacandhaveamousewithonlyonebutton,youcansimulateright-clickingbyholdingdowntheControlkeywhileyouclick.

Mostonscreencontrolsareprettyobvious,butyoumaynotbefamiliarwithradiobuttons:Tochooseanoption,youclickoneoftheselittleemptycirclesthatarearrangedinalist.

You’llfindtonsofkeyboardshortcutsthroughoutthisbook,andthey’rehugetimesavers.Ifyouseeasentencelike,“Press⌘-S(Ctrl+S)tosaveyourfile,”thatmeanstoholddownthe⌘key(orCtrlkey,ifyou’reusingaPC),andthenpresstheSkey,too;thenletgoofbothkeys.(ThisbooklistsMackeyboardshortcutsfirst,followedbyWindowsshortcutsinparentheses.)Otherkeyboardshortcutsaresocomplexthatyou’llneedtousemultiplefingers,bothhands,andawell-placedelbow.Andsometimesyou’llcombinekeystrokeswithclicking.Forexample,to⌘-click(Ctrl-clickonaPC)meanstopressandholdthe⌘(orCtrl)keyandthen,whilestillpressingthekey,clickyourleftmousebutton.

Ifyou’recomfortablewithbasicconceptslikethese,you’rereadytogetstartedwiththisbook.

About→These→ArrowsInthisbook(andinallMissingManuals,forthatmatter),you’llseearrowssprinkled

throughouteachchapterinsentenceslikethis:“ChooseFilter→BlurGallery→Tilt-Shift.”Thisisashorthandwayofhelpingyoufindfiles,folders,andmenuitemswithouthavingtoreadthroughpainfullylong,boringinstructions.Forexample,thesentencequotedaboveisashortwayofsayingthis:“AtthetopofthePhotoshopwindow,locatetheFiltermenu.Clickitand,inthelistthatappears,lookfortheBlurGallerycategory.PointyourcursoratthewordsBlurGallery(withoutclicking)and,intheresultingsubmenu,clickTilt-Shift”(seeFigure1).

Figure1.ChoosingFilter→BlurGallery→Tilt-Shifttakesyoutothemenuitemshownhere.

AbouttheOnlineResourcesAstheownerofaMissingManual,you’vegotmorethanjustabooktoread.Online,you’llfindexamplefilessoyoucangetsomehands-onexperience.YoucanalsocommunicatewiththeMissingManualteamandtelluswhatyoulove(orhate)aboutthebook.Headovertowww.missingmanuals.com,orgodirectlytooneofthefollowingsections.

MissingCDThisbookdoesn’thaveaCDpastedinsidethebackcover,butyou’renotmissingoutonanything.Gotowww.missingmanuals.com/cdstodownloadsamplefilesandthebook’sappendixes.Andsoyoudon’tweardownyourfingerstypinglongwebaddresses,theMissingCDpagealsooffersclickablelinkstoallthewebsitesmentionedinthisbook.

RegistrationIfyouregisterthisbookatoreilly.com,you’llbeeligibleforspecialoffers—likediscountsonfutureeditions.Registeringtakesonlyafewclicks.Togetstarted,headtohttp://oreilly.com/register.

FeedbackGotquestions?Needmoreinformation?Fancyyourselfabookreviewer?OnourFeedbackpage,youcangetanswerstoquestionsthatcometoyouwhilereadingandshareyourthoughtsonthisMissingManual.Tohaveyoursay,gotowww.missingmanuals.com/feedback.

ErrataInanefforttokeepthisbookasup-to-dateandaccurateaspossible,eachtimeweprintmorecopies,we’llmakeanyconfirmedcorrectionsyou’vesuggested.Wealsonotesuchchangesonthebook’swebsite,soyoucanmarkimportantcorrectionsintoyourowncopyofthebook,ifyoulike.Gotohttp://tinyurl.com/psccmm2etoreportanerrororviewexistingcorrections.

Safari®BooksOnlineSafari®BooksOnlineisanon-demanddigitallibrarythatletsyoueasilysearchover7,500technologyandcreativereferencebooksandvideostofindtheanswersyouneedquickly.

Withasubscription,youcanreadanypageandwatchanyvideofromourlibraryonline.Readbooksonyourcellphoneandmobiledevices.Accessnewtitlesbeforethey’reavailableforprint,andgetexclusiveaccesstomanuscriptsindevelopmentandpostfeedbackfortheauthors.Copyandpastecodesamples,organizeyourfavorites,downloadchapters,bookmarkkeysections,createnotes,printoutpages,andbenefitfromtonsofothertimesavingfeatures.

Part1.TheBasicsChapter1,PhotoshopCCGuidedTour

Chapter2,Opening,Viewing,andSavingFiles

Chapter3,Layers:TheKeytoNondestructiveEditing

Chapter4,Selections:ChoosingWhattoEdit

Chapter5,UnderstandingChannels

Chapter1.PhotoshopCCGuidedTourPhotoshopCCisburstingwithfabulousfeaturesthat’llhelpyoueditandcreateyourveryowndigitalmasterpieces.IfthisisyourfirstforayintotheworldofPhotoshop,allthesefeatureswillbenewtoyou.Ifyou’reanexperiencedpixelpusher,therearesomesurpriseswaitingforyou,too.Ifyou’reupgradingfromPhotoshopCS5orearlier,AdobeintroducedmajorchangestotheworkenvironmentbackinCS6—likeabrand-newcolortheme—andwhilethesechangesmakePhotoshopeasiertouse,theytakesomegettingusedto.

ThischaptergivesyouasolidfoundationonwhichtobuildyourPhotoshopskills.You’lllearnhowtoworkwiththeApplicationFrame,andhowtowrangledocumentwindowsandpanels.Onceyou’vegottenthemplacedjustright,you’lllearnhowtosaveyoursetupasacustomworkspace.Ifyou’reabeginner,thesectiononusingUndocommandsandhistorystateswillteachyouhowtofixmistakesandbackoutofalmostanythingyou’vedone.Finally,you’lllearnhowtofine-tunePhotoshop’sbehaviorthroughpreferencesandbuilt-intools(calledpresets)thatletyoupersonalizeyourexperienceevenmore.Let’sdivein!

MeettheApplicationFrameWhenyoulaunchPhotoshopCCforthefirsttime,you’regreetedbytheApplicationFrameshowninFigure1-1.ThisframeconfinesallthingsPhotoshoptoasingleresizable,movablewindow.Youcangrabthewholemess—documents,panels,andall—anddragittoonesideofyourscreen(orbetteryet,toanothermonitor)soit’soutoftheway.Andifyouopenmorethanonedocument,they’redisplayedinhandytabsthatyoucanrearrangebydragging.

Chancesare,you’lleitherlovetheApplicationFrameorhateit.Ifyou’reonacomputerrunningWindows,you’reusedtoprogramslookingandbehavingthisway.Butifyou’reonaMacandyou’recomingfromanolderversionofPhotoshop(likeCS3),thisarrangementmayfeelodd;inthatcase,youcanturnofftheframebychoosingWindow→ApplicationFrametomakePhotoshopswitchtothefloating-windowviewusedinolderversionsoftheprogram.(PCfolksarestuckwiththeframe.)

NOTE

InPhotoshopCC,you’llspotaspecialbuttonatthebottomofeachdocumentwindowthatlookslikearectanglewithacurvedarrowinsideit.ClickingituploadsthecurrentdocumenttoAdobe’sportfolio-sharingcommunitysiteBehance—agreatwaytogetcriticalfeedbackonprojects.TolearnmoreaboutBehance,seetheboxonSharingImagesonBehanceandcheckoutyourauthor’sebook“TheSkinnyonBehance”atwww.theskinnybooks.com.

Figure1-1.Youcanopenseveralimagesatonce;justclickadocument’stabtosummonitforediting.Photoshopstoresthetoolsandadjustmentsyou’llusemostinthepanelsonthesidesoftheApplicationFrame;afull

introductiontopanelsstartsonpage3.(Figure1-9onpage14explainshowtomakeyourToolspanelhavetwocolumnsliketheoneshownhere.)

NOTE

AdobereducedclutterbackinPhotoshopCS6byremovingtheApplicationbar,whichusedtohouseextraslikeguides,grids,andrulers,aswellasseveralmenus.Asyoulearninthenextfewpages,thoseitemsarenowsprinkledthroughouttheToolspanel,theViewmenu,andtheWindowmenu.

Also,ifyouusePhotoshopalongsideotherprograms,theboxonHidingvs.QuittingexplainshowtogetPhotoshopoutofthewaywithoutquittingit.

TheAlmightyOptionsBarLordingoverthedocumentwindowistheOptionsbar(Figure1-2,top),whichletsyoucustomizethebehaviorofnearlyeveryitemintheToolspanel.Thisbarautomaticallychangestoincludesettingsrelatedtothetoolyou’recurrentlyusing.TheOptionsbaralsoincludestheworkspacemenu,whichletsyouchangethewayyourPhotoshopenvironmentissetup(youlearnaboutworkspacesonCustomizingYourWorkspace).

Unfortunately,theOptionsbar’slabelsarefairlycryptic,soitcanbehardtofigureoutwhattheheckallthosesettingsdo.Luckily,youcanpointyourcursoratanysettingtoseealittleyellowpop-updescriptioncalledatooltip(youdon’tneedtoclick—justdon’tmoveyourmouseforacoupleseconds).

TIP

Ifthetooltipsdriveyoucrazy,youcanhide’embychoosingPhotoshop→Preferences→Interface(Edit→Preferences→InterfaceonaPC)andturningoffShowToolTips.

WhenyoufirstinstallPhotoshop,theOptionsbarisperchedatthetopofyourscreen,butitdoesn’thavetostaythere.Ifyou’dratherputitsomewhereelse,grabitsleftendanddragitwhereveryouwant,asshowninFigure1-2,middle.Ifyoudecidetoputitbacklater(alsocalleddocking),justdragittothetopofthescreenand,whenyouseeathinbluelineappear(Figure1-2,bottom),releaseyourmousebutton.

Figure1-2.Top:TheOptionsbariscustomizationcentralforwhatevertoolyou’recurrentlyusing.Butitdoesn’thavetoliveatthetopofthescreen;youcanundockitbydraggingthetinydottedlinescircledhere.Middle:Onceyou’vefreedtheOptionsbar,youcandragitanywhereyouwantbygrabbingthedarkgraybaronitsfarleft.

Bottom:ToredocktheOptionsbar,dragittothetopofyourscreen.Onceyouseeathinbluelineliketheonevisiblehere,releaseyourmousebutton.

TIP

Ifatoolseemstobemisbehaving,it’slikelybecauseyouchangedoneoftheOptionsbar’ssettingsandforgottochangeitback.Thesesettingsaresticky:Onceyouchangethem,theystaythatwayuntilyouchangethemback.Figure1-17explainshowtoresetatooltoitsfactory-freshsettings.

NOTE

AdoberecentlyaddedtheabilitytoshrinktheOptionsbartoanarrowerversion,whichishandyifyou’vegotasmallscreen.SkiptoChangingPhotoshop’sAppearanceforthescoop.

SwappingScreenModesPhotoshopincludesthreedifferentscreenmodesforyourdocument-viewingpleasure.Dependingonwhatyou’redoing,onewillsuityoubetterthantheothers.Forexample,youcanmakeanimagetakeupyourwholescreen(withorwithoutthemenusandOptionsbar),hidePhotoshop’spanels,andsoon(seeFigure1-3).Togiveeachmodeaspin,youfirstneedtoopenanimage:ChooseFile→Open,navigatetowhereanimagelives,andthenclickOpen.

TIP

YoucanfreeuppreciousscreenrealestatebypressingtheTabkeytohidetheOptionsbarandpanels(pressingShift-TabhidesallthepanelsexcepttheToolspanel).Thistrickisagreatwaytogetridofdistractionswhenyou’reeditingimages,especiallyifyouhaveasmallmonitor.Tobringthepanelsback,pressTabagainormouseovertotheedgeofthePhotoshopwindowwherethepanelsshouldbe;whenyoumoveyourcursorawayfromthepanels,they’lldisappearagain.

It’sasnaptojumpbetweenmodes.JustpresstheFkeyrepeatedly—unlessyou’reinthemiddleofcroppinganimageorusingtheTypetool(ifyouare,you’lltypeabunchofFs)—orusetheScreenModesmenuatthebottomoftheToolspanel(circledinFigure1-3,top).Theseareyourchoices:

StandardScreenModeistheviewyouseewhenyoulaunchPhotoshopforthefirsttime.Thismodeincludesmenus,theApplicationFrame,theOptionsbar,panels,anddocumentwindows.UsethismodewhentheApplicationFrameisactiveandyouneedtoscootthewholeofPhotoshop—windowsandall—aroundonyourmonitor(exceptforundockedpanelsorfree-floatingwindows).FullScreenModeWithMenuBarcompletelytakesoveryourscreen,putsyourdocumentinthecenteronadarkgraycanvasorframe,andattachesanyopenpanelstotheleftandrightedgesofyourscreen.Thismodeisgreatforday-to-dayeditingbecauseyoucanseeallofPhotoshop’stoolsandmenuswithoutbeingdistractedbythefilesandfoldersonyourdesktop.Thedarkgraybackgroundisalsoeasyontheeyesandagreatchoicewhencolor-correctingimages(abrightlycoloreddesktopcanaffectyourcolorperception).

TIP

YoucanchangePhotoshop’scanvascoloranytimebyControl-clicking(right-clickingonaPC)thecanvasitself.Fromtheshortcutmenuthatappears,choosefromDefault(thedark,charcoalgrayyouseenow),Black,DarkGray,MediumGray,orLightGray.Ifnoneofthosecolorsfloatyourboat,youcanpickyourownbychoosingSelectCustomColortoopentheColorPicker,whichisexplainedonChoosingIndividualColors.

FullScreenModehidesallofPhotoshop’smenusandpanels,centersthedocumentonyourscreen,andputsitonablackbackground.(Ifyou’vegotrulersturnedon,they’llstillappear,thoughyoucanturn’emoffbypressing⌘-R[Ctrl+R]).Thismodeisgreatfordisplayingandevaluatingyourworkorfordistraction-freeediting.Andtheblackbackgroundreallymakesimagespopoffthescreen(thoughthenextsectionshowsyouhowtochangeittoanothercolor).

Figure1-3.ThemanyfacesofPhotoshop:StandardScreenMode(top),FullScreenWithMenuBar(bottomleft),andFullScreen(bottomright).Youcaneditimagesinanyofthesemodes,thoughsomegiveyoumorescreenrealestatethanothers.TheScreenModesmenu(circled)livesatthebottomoftheToolspanel.Figure1-9onpage14tellsyou

howtoswitchtoatwo-columnToolspanelliketheoneshownhere.

ChangingPhotoshop’sAppearanceWhilethedarkgrayinterfacecolorsintroducedinCS6aresupposedtobeeasierontheeyesandhelpyouseethecolorsinimagesmoreaccurately,youmaydisagree.YoumayalsowanttoincreasethesizeofthetextlabelsintheOptionsbarandpanels.Fortunately,youcanchangeseveralaspectsoftheprogram’sappearancebychoosingPhotoshop→Preferences→Interface(Edit→Preferences→InterfaceonaPC),asFigure1-4shows.

ThenextsectiontellsyouhowtocustomizePhotoshop’slookandfeelevenmorebyopening,closing,rearranging,andresizingpanels.Readon!

Figure1-4.Notafanofthedarkgraycolortheme?Usethesesettingstopicksomethinglighter(thelightgraysquarerevertstoCS5’scolortheme).TochangeFullScreenMode’sbackgroundcolortosomethingotherthanblack,usetheFullScreendrop-downmenu.PhotoshopalsosportsanarrowOptionsbar(circled),whichisniceforsmallscreens.Ifthetextlabelsthroughouttheprogramhaveyousquinting,make’embiggerbyusingtheUIFontSize

menushownhere(thenquitandrestartPhotoshoptomakeyourchangetakeeffect).

UPTOSPEED:HIDINGVS.QUITTING

Ifyouneedtodosomeworkonyourdesktoporinanotherprogram,youcantemporarilyhidePhotoshop,savingyouthetimeandtoe-tappingofquittingitandthenrestartingitagainlater.

OnaMac,press⌘-Control-HorclicktheyellowdotatthetopleftoftheApplicationFrametominimizethewindow(ifyou’vechangedyourAppearancesystempreferencestoGraphite,thedotisgrayinstead).Yourworkspacedisappears,butPhotoshopkeepsrunninginthebackground.Tobringitbacktotheforefront,clickitsiconintheDock.YoucanalsomakePhotoshoptemporarilydisappearbypressing⌘-H;thefirsttimeyoudo,adialogboxappearsaskingifyou’dliketoassignthatkeyboardshortcuttomakeithidePhotoshopinsteadofhidingtexthighlighting,guides,andsoon.(Tochangeitback,edityourkeyboardshortcutsasexplainedintheboxonCustomizingKeyboardShortcutsandMenus,ordeletePhotoshop’spreferencesasdescribedinthefirstNoteonNote.)

OnaPC,youcanminimize(hide)theprogrambyclickingtheminusbuttoninPhotoshop’supperright;Windowstuckstheprogramdownintoyourtaskbar.Togetitback,clickitstaskbaricon.

Ifyourmachinehasatleast8GBofmemory(RAM),there’sabsolutelynodownsidetohidingPhotoshop.However,ifyou’relowonmemoryandyourmachine’sfaniscrankingaway,thenchoosePhotoshop→QuitPhotoshop(File→ExitonaPC)instead.

WorkingwithPanelsTherightsideoftheApplicationFrameishometoaslewofsmallwindowscalledpanels,whichletyouworkwithfrequentlyusedfeatureslikecolors,adjustments,layers,andsoon.You’refreetoorganizethepanelshoweveryoulikeandpositionthemanywhereyouwant.Panelscanbefreefloatingordocked(attached)tothetop,bottom,left,orrightsidesofyourscreen.Andyoucanlinkpanelstogetherintogroups,whichyoucanthenmovearound.Eachpanelalsohasitsveryownmenu,called(appropriatelyenough)apanelmenu,locatedinitstop-rightcorner;itsiconlookslikefourlittlelineswithadownward-pointingtriangleandislabeledinFigure1-5,left.

Figure1-5.Hereyoucanseethedifferencebetweenexpandedpanels(left)andcollapsedpanels(right).Double-clickapanel’stabtocollapseitvertically,rollingituplikeawindowshade;single-clickthetabagaintoexpandthepanel.Youcanalsocollapseapanelhorizontallybyclickingtheright-pointingdoublearrowsinitstopright(circled,right),atwhichpointitturnsintoasmallbutton.Toexpandoneofthesebuttonsbackintoapanel,justclicktheleft-

pointingdoublearrowscircledhere(circled,middle).

Takeapeekattherightsideofyourscreenandyou’llseethatPhotoshopstartsyouoffwiththreedockedpanelgroupsfilledwithgoodiesitthinksyou’llusealot(there’smoreondockedpanelscomingupshortly).ThefirstgroupcontainstheColorandSwatchespanels;thesecondgroupcontainsAdjustmentsandStyles;andthethirdcontainsLayers,Channels,andPaths.Toworkwithapanel,activateitbyclickingitstab.

PanelsarelikeSillyPutty—they’reincrediblyflexible.Youcancollapse,expand,move,andresizethem,orevenswap’emforotherpanels.Here’show:

Collapseorexpandpanels.Ifpanelsareencroachingonyoureditingspace,youcanshrinkthembothhorizontallyandverticallysotheylookandbehavelikebuttons.Tocollapseapanel(orpanelgroup)horizontallysothatitbecomesabuttonnestledagainstthesideofanotherpanelortheedgeofyourscreen,clickthetinydoublearrowinitstop-rightcorner;clickthissamebuttonagaintoexpandthepanel.Tocollapseapanelverticallyagainstthebottomofthepanelaboveit,asshowninFigure1-5,right,double-clickthepanel’stabortheemptyareatoitsright;single-clickthetabor

double-clicktheemptyareatorollthepanelbackdown.Toadjustapanel’swidth,pointyourcursoratitsleftedgeand,whenthecursorturnsintoadouble-headedarrow,dragleftorrighttomakethepanelbiggerorsmaller(thoughsomepanelshaveaminimumwidth).Addandmodifypanelgroups.YoucanopenevenmorepanelsbyopeningtheWindowmenu(whichlistsallofPhotoshop’spanels)andclickingthenameoftheoneyouwanttoopen.Whenyoudo,Photoshopputsthepanelinacolumntotheleftoftheonesthatarealreadyopenandaddsatinybuttontoitsrightthatyoucanclicktocollapseitbothhorizontallyandvertically(justclickthesamebuttonagaintoexpandit).Ifthenewpanelispartofagroup,liketheCharacterandParagraphpanels,theextrapaneltagsalongwithit.Ifit’sapanelyouexpecttousealot,youcanaddittoanexistingpanelgroupbyclickinganddraggingthedottedlinesaboveitsbuttonintoablankareainthepanelgroup,asshowninFigure1-6.Undock,redock,andclosepanels.Fromthefactory,Photoshopdocksthreesetsofpanelgroupstotherightsideofyourscreen(orApplicationFrame).Butyou’renotstuckwiththepanelsgluedtothisspot;youcansetthemfreebyturningthemintofloatingpanels.Toliberateapanel,grabitstab,pullitoutofthegroupit’sin,andthenmoveitanywhereyouwant(seeFigure1-7).Whenyouletgoofyourmousebutton,thepanelappearswhereyouputit—allbyitself.Youcanundockawholepanelgroupinnearlythesameway:Clickanemptyspotinthegroup’stabareaanddragitoutofthedock.Onceyoureleaseyourmousebutton,youcandragthegrouparoundbyclickingthesameemptyspotinthetabarea.Or,ifthegroupiscollapsed,clickthetinydottedlinesatthetopofthegroup,justbelowthedarkgraybar.Toredockthepanel(orpanelgroup),dragitbacktotherightsideofyourscreen.Topreventapanelfromdockingwhileyou’removingitaround,⌘-drag(Ctrl-drag)itinstead.

Figure1-6.Top:Whenyouopenanewpanel,Photoshopaddsittoacolumntotheleftofyourotherpanelsandgivesitahandybuttonthatyoucanclicktocollapseorexpandit,liketheInfopanel’sbuttoncircledhere.Thetinydottedlineaboveeachbuttonisitshandle;clickanddragoneofthesehandlestorepositionthepanelinthecolumn,addthepaneltoapanelgroup,andsoon.Ifthepanelyouopenedisrelatedtoanotherpanel—liketheBrushpanelandtheBrushPresetspanel—thenbothpanelswillopenasapanelgroupwithasinglehandle.Middle:When

you’redraggingapanelintoapanelgroup,waituntilyouseeabluelinearoundtheinsideofthegroupbeforeyoureleaseyourmousebutton.Here,theInfopanelisbeingaddedtoapanelgroup.(YoucanseeafaintversionoftheInfopanel’sbuttonwheretheredarrowispointing.)Bottom:Whenyoureleaseyourmousebutton,thenewpanelbecomespartofthegroup.Torearrangepanelswithinagroup,dragtheirtabs(circled)leftorright.Iftheblue

highlightlinesarehardtoseewhenyou’retryingtogroupordockpanels,trydraggingthepanelsmoreslowly.Thatway,whenyoudragthepanelintoagroupordockablearea,thebluehighlighthangsaroundalittlelongerandthe

panelbecomesmomentarilytransparent.

Figure1-7.Toundockapanel(orpanelgroup),clickthepanel’stab(orafreeareatotherightofthegroup’stabs),andthendragthepanelorgroupsomewhereelseonyourscreen.Todockitagain,dragittotherightsideofyourscreen—ontopoftheotherpanels.Whenyouseeathinbluelineappearwhereyouwantthepanel(orgroup)to

land,releaseyourmousebutton.

NOTE

TheTimelinepanel(whichwascalledtheAnimationpanelpriortoPhotoshopCS6)isdockedtothebottomofyourworkspace,whichisadockinghotspot,too.Thatsaid,PhotoshoprefusestoletyoudocktheOptionsbardownthere.

Tocloseapanel,clickitstabanddragitoutofthepanelgrouptoadifferentareaofyourscreen(Figure1-7);thenclickthetinycircleinthepanel’stop-leftcorner(onaPC,clicktheXinthepanel’stop-rightcornerinstead).Don’tworry—thepanelisn’tgoneforever;ifyouwanttoreopenit,simplychooseitfromtheWindowsmenu.

Gettingthehangofundocking,redocking,andarrangingpanelstakesalittlepracticebecauseit’stoughtocontrolwherethelittlerascalsland.Whenthepanelyou’redraggingisabouttojoinadockingarea(oradifferentpanelgroup),athinbluelineappearsshowingyouwherethepanelorgroupwillgo.

CustomizingYourWorkspaceOnceyouarrangePhotoshop’spanelsjustso,youcankeep’emthatwaybysavingyoursetupasaworkspace,usingtheunlabeledWorkspacedrop-downmenuattherightendoftheOptionsbar(seeFigure1-8).Straightfromthefactory,thismenuissettoEssentials,whichisagoodgeneral-usesetupthatincludespanelsthatmostpeopleuseregularly.Themenu’sotheroptionsaremorespecialized:3Disdesignedforworkingwith3Dobjects(seeChapter21),Motionisforvideoediting,Paintingisfor(youguessedit)painting,Photographyisforworkingwithphotos,andTypographyisforworkingwithtext.Toswapworkspaces,simplyclickoneofthesepresets(built-insettings),andPhotoshoprearrangesyourpanelsaccordingly.

NOTE

GoneinthisversionofPhotoshopistheWhat’sNewworkspace,whichusedtohighlightallthemenuitemsthatincludednewfeatures.However,allisnotlost:youcanchooseHelp→What’sNewtovisitAdobe’ssiteandseeahandysummaryoffeatures,listedbytheyeartheywerereleased(forexample,PhotoshopCCJune2014,andsoon).

Figure1-8.Mostofthebuilt-inworkspacesaredesignedtohelpyouperformspecializedtasks.Forexample,thePhotographyworkspaceputstheHistogramandNavigationpanelsatthetopright.Takethebuilt-inworkspacesforatestdrive—they’llundoubtedlygiveyoucustomizationideasyouhadn’tthoughtof!Ifyoudon’tseetheWorkspacemenuandyou’vegottheApplicationFrameturnedon,pointyourcursorattherightsideofthePhotoshopwindow

and,whenitturnsintoadouble-headedarrow,clickanddragrightwardtoincreasetheframe’ssize.

Tosaveyourowncustomworkspace,firstopenandarrangethepanelsyouwanttoinclude.Next,clicktheWorkspacemenuandchooseNewWorkspace.Intheresultingdialogbox,giveyoursetupameaningfulnameandturnonthecheckboxesforthecustomizationsyouwantPhotoshoptosave.Inadditiontopanellocations,youcansaveanykeyboardshortcutandmenusettingsyou’vechanged(seetheboxonCustomizingKeyboardShortcutsandMenusformoreonchangingtheseitems)—justbesuretoturnontheoptionsforallthefeaturesyouchangedortheywon’tbeincludedinyourcustomworkspace.WhenyouclickSave,yourworkspaceshowsupatthetopoftheWorkspacemenu.

Ifyou’vecreatedacustomworkspacethatyou’llneveruseagain,youcansenditpackin’.First,makesureyouaren’tcurrentlyusingthedoomedworkspace.Then,fromtheWorkspacemenu,chooseDeleteWorkspaceand,intheresultingdialogbox,picktheoffendingworkspaceandthenclickDelete.Photoshopwillaskifyou’resure;clickYestofinishitoff.

TheToolsPanelTheToolspanel(Figure1-9,left)ishomebaseforallofPhotoshop’seditingtools,andit’sincludedinallthebuilt-inworkspaces.Untilyoumemorizetools’keyboardshortcuts,youcan’tdomuchwithoutthispanel!Whenyoufirstlaunchtheprogram,you’llseetheToolspanelontheleftsideofthescreen,butyoucandragitanywhereyouwantbyclickingthetinyrowofverticaldashesnearitstop(Figure1-9,right).

Figure1-9.There’snotenoughroomintheToolspanelforeachtooltohaveitsownspot,sorelatedtoolsaregroupedintotoolsets.Themicroscopictriangleatthebottomrightofeachtoolset’sbuttonletsyouknowitrepresentsmorethanonetool(theMoveandZoomtoolsaretheonlyonesthatlivealone).Toseetheothertools,clickthetool’sbuttonandholddownyourmousebutton(orright-clickthebuttoninstead);Photoshopthendisplaysalistofthe

othertoolsitharborsinafly-outmenu,asshownhere(left).Photoshopstartsyouoffwithaone-columnToolspanel(left),butyoucancollapseitintotwocolumns(right)byclickingthetinydoubletrianglescircledhere(click’em

againtoswitchbacktoonecolumn).ToundocktheToolspanel,grabthedottedbarlabeledhereanddragthepanelwhereveryouwantit.YoucandocktheToolspaneltotheleftorrightedgeofyourscreen,orleaveitfloatingfree.

OnceyouexpandatoolsetasexplainedinFigure1-9,you’llseethetools’keyboardshortcutslistedtotherightoftheirnames.Theseshortcutsaregreattimesaversbecausetheyletyouswitchbetweentoolswithoutmovingyourhandsoffthekeyboard.Toaccessatoolthat’shiddendeepwithinatoolset,addtheShiftkeytothetool’sshortcutkey,andyou’llcyclethroughallthetoolsinthattoolset.Forexample,toactivatetheEllipticalMarqueetool,pressShift-Mrepeatedlyuntilthattool’siconappearsintheToolspanel.

TIP

Ifyouneedtoswitchtoolstemporarily—foraquickedit—youcanusethespring-loadedtoolsfeature.Justpressandholdatool’skeyboardshortcuttoswitchtothattool,andthenperformyouredit.Assoonasyoureleasethekey,you’lljumpbacktothetoolyouwereusingbefore.Forexample,ifyou’repaintingwiththeBrushandsuddenlymakeanerror,pressandholdEtoswitchtotheEraserandfixyourmistake.OnceyoureleasetheEkey,you’rebacktousingtheBrushtool.Sweet!

You’lllearnaboutthesuperpowersofeachtoolthroughoutthisbook.Forabriefoverviewofeachtool,checkoutAppendixC,whichyoucandownloadfromthisbook’sMissingCDpageatwww.missingmanuals.com/cds.

TIP

Ifyoucan’trememberwhichtoolaniconrepresents,pointyourcursorattheiconforacoupleofsecondswhilekeepingyourmouseperfectlystill.Afterasecondortwo,Photoshopdisplaysahandytooltipthatincludesthetool’snameandkeyboardshortcut.

ForegroundandBackgroundColorChips

Photoshopcanhandlemillionsofcolors,butitstoolsletyouworkwithonlytwoatatime:aforegroundcolorandabackgroundcolor.EachoftheseisvisibleasasquarecolorchipnearthebottomoftheToolspanel(labeledinFigure1-9,wherethey’reblackandwhite,respectively).Photoshopusesyourforegroundcolorwhenyoupaintorfillsomethingwithcolor;it’swheremostoftheactionis.Theprogramusesyourbackgroundcolortodothingslikesetthesecondcolorofagradient(asmoothtransitionfromonecolortoanother,ortotransparency)orerasepartsofalockedBackgroundlayer(RestackingLayers);thiscolorisalsohelpfulwhenyou’rerunningspecialeffectsliketheCloudsfilter(Pixelate).

Tochangeeithercolor,clickitscolorchiponcetoopentheColorPicker(ChoosingIndividualColors),whichletsyouselectanothercolorforthatparticularchip.Toswapyourforegroundandbackgroundcolors,clickthecurved,double-headedarrowjustabovethetwochipsorpressX.Tosetbothcolorchipstotheirfactory-freshsettingofblackandwhite,clickthetinychipstotheirupperleft(inatwo-columnToolspanel,they’reatthelowerleft)orpressD.Rememberthosetwokeyboardshortcuts(XandD);they’reextremelyhandywhenyouworkwithlayermasks,whicharecoveredinChapter3.

CommonPanelsAsmentionedearlier,whenyoufirstlaunchPhotoshop,theprogramdisplaystheEssentialsworkspace,whichincludesseveralusefulpanels.Here’saquickrundownofwhyAdobeconsidersthesepanelssoimportant:

Color.Thispanelintheupper-rightpartofyourscreenincludesyourcurrentforegroundandbackgroundcolorchipsand,fromthefactory,atrioofslidersandarainbow-coloredbarthatyoucanusetopickanewcolorforeitherchip.Asyou’lllearnonTheColorPanel,youcannowusethispanelasacolorpickerthat’salwaysopen!Swatches.Thispanelholdsminiaturecolorsamples,givingyoueasyaccesstothemforuseinpaintingorcolorizingimages(andnewinPhotoshopCC2014,themostrecentswatchesyou’veusedshowupinahandyrowatthetopofthepanel).ItalsostoresavarietyofcolorlibrarieslikethePantoneMatchingSystem(specialinksusedinprofessionalprinting).You’lllearnallabouttheSwatchespanelinonTheSwatchesPanel.Adjustments.Thispanelletsyoucreateadjustmentlayers.Insteadofmakingcolorandbrightnesschangestoyouroriginalimage,youcanuseadjustmentlayerstomakethesechangesonaseparatelayer,givingyouallkindsofeditingflexibilityandkeepingyouroriginalimageoutofharm’sway.They’reexplainedindetailinChapter3,andyou’llsee’emusedthroughoutthisbook.Styles.Stylesarespecialeffectscreatedwithavarietyoflayerstyles.Forexample,ifyou’vecreatedaglass-buttonlookbyaddingseverallayerstylesindividually,youcan

savethewholelotof’emasasinglestylesoyoucanapplythemallwithoneclick.Youcanalsochoosefromtonsofbuilt-instyles;they’rediscussedstartingonTheStylesPanel.Layers.ThisisthesinglemostimportantpanelinPhotoshop.Layersletyouworkwithimagesasiftheywereastackoftransparencies,soyoucancreateoneimagefrommany.Byusinglayers,youcanadjustthesizeandopacityof—andaddlayerstylesto—eachitemindependently.UnderstandinglayersisthekeytoPhotoshopsuccessandnondestructiveediting;you’lllearnallabouttheminChapter3.Channels.ChannelsarewherePhotoshopstoresthecolorinformationyourimagesaremadefrom.Channelsareextremelypowerful,andyoucanusethemtoedittheindividualcolorsinanimage,whichishelpfulinsharpeningimages,creatingselections(tellingPhotoshopwhichpartofanimageyouwanttoworkwith),andsoon.Chapter5hasthescooponchannels.Paths.PathsaretheoutlinesyoumakewiththePenandshapetools.Butthesearen’tyouraverage,run-of-the-milllines:they’remadeupofpointsandpathsinsteadofpixels,sothey’llalwayslookperfectlycrispwhenprinted.Youcanalsoresizethemwithoutlosinganyquality.You’llconquerpathsinChapter13.History.Thispanelislikeyourveryowntimemachine:Ittracksnearlyeverythingyoudotoyourimage(thelast50things,tobeexact,thoughyoucanchangethisnumberusingpreferences[seeChangingHowFarBackYouCanGo]).ItappearsdockedasabuttontotheleftoftheColorpanelgroup.Thenextsectionexplainshowtouseittoundowhatyou’verecentlydone(ifonlythatworkedinreallife!).Properties.Thispanel,whichisalsodockedtotheleftoftheColorpanelgroup,iswhereyouaccessthesettingsforindividualadjustmentlayers,shapelayers,linkedsmartobjects,andlayermasks.You’lldiveheadfirstintomasksinChapter3;fornow,thinkofthemasdigitalmaskingtapethatletsyouhidethecontentsofalayer.

ThePowerofUndoThankfully,Photoshopisextremelyforgiving:It’llletyoubackoutofalmostanythingyoudo,whichismuyimportante,especiallywhenyou’regettingthehangofthings.

You’vegotseveralwaystoretraceyoursteps,includingthelifesavingUndocommand.JustchooseEdit→Undoorpress⌘-Z(Ctrl+Z).Thiscommandletsyouundotheverylastedityoumade.

Ifyouneedtogobackmorethanonestep,usetheStepBackwardcommandinstead:ChooseEdit→StepBackwardorpressOption-⌘-Z(Alt+Ctrl+Z).Straightfromthefactory,thiscommandletsyouundothelast50thingsyoudid,oneatatime.Ifyouwanttogobackevenfurther,youcanchangethatnumberbydiggingintoPhotoshop’spreferences,asthenextsectionexplains.Youcanstepforwardthroughyoureditinghistory,too,bychoosingEdit→StepForwardorShift-⌘-Z(Shift+Ctrl+Z).

NOTE

Photoshoponlyletsyouundochangesbacktothepointwhenyoufirstopenedthedocumentyou’reworkingon,meaningyoucan’tcloseadocumentandthenundochangesyoumadebeforeyouclosedit.

ChangingHowFarBackYouCanGoIfyouthinkyoumightsomedayneedtogobackfurtherthanyourlast50steps,youcanmakePhotoshoprememberupto1,000stepsbychangingtheprogram’spreferences.Here’show:

1. ChoosePhotoshop→Preferences→Performance(Edit→Preferences→PerformanceonaPC).

2. InthePreferencesdialogbox’sHistoryStatesfield,pickthenumberofstepsyouwantPhotoshoptoremember.Youcanenteranynumberbetween1and1,000inthisfield.Whileincreasingthenumberofhistorystatesmighthelpyousleepbetter,doingsomeansPhotoshophastokeeptrackofthatmanymoreversionsofyourdocument,whichrequiresmoreharddrivespaceandprocessingpower.Soifyouincreasethissettingandthennoticethattheprogramisrunninglikemolasses—oryou’resuddenlyoutofharddrivespace—tryloweringit.

3. ClickOKwhenyou’refinished.

TurningBackTimewiththeHistoryPanelWhereastheUndoandStepBackwardcommandsletyoumovebackthroughchangesoneatatime,theHistorypanel(Figure1-10)kicksitupanotchandletsyoujumpbackseveralstepsatonce.(YoucanstepbackthroughasmanyhistorystatesasyousetinPhotoshop’spreferences—seetheprevioussection.)UsingtheHistorypanelismuchquickerthanundoingalonglistofchangesonebyone,anditgivesyouanicelistofexactlywhattoolsandmenuitemsyouusedtoaltertheimage—inchronologicalorderfromtoptobottom—lettingyoupinpointtheexactstateyouwanttojumpbackto.And,asexplainedinamoment,youcanalsotakesnapshotsofanimageatvariouspointsintheeditingprocesstomakeiteasiertohopbacktothestateyouwant.

Afteryoumakeafewchangestoanimage,popopentheHistorypanelbyclickingits