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Karen Hibbard –STDO 3950 New Media Design A01 (3 credit)

Guide to Using Photoshop
Shortcuts:

Command Z- to undo last move
Command C-to copy
Command A-to select all of image
Command V-to paste
Command N-to create a new document
Command S- to save
•Learn Command, Shift, and Alt keyboard keys on MAC or Ctrl, Shift, Option on PC

Learning to solve problems:
When you are stuck, search for solution first by checking on-line Adobe Photoshop Help, then any reference books (Peachtree or Photoshop Manual), then ask a neighbour, finally ask the teacher. This is important for your sense of self-reliance and developing coping abilities when you are problem-solving. I do not mind if you search for an answer. It is part of the course.

Images-1) please save images in class document folder and AGAIN on a 2) Key or CD or DVD after EACH CLASS.

Scanning Images-Scan images at 300 dpi and as a psd or jpg. Keep originals untouched. Make a copy to work with.

Layers-Very important to understand. When you create a new document choose transparent background. Layers can be edited by order, hidden, made less opaque, visible merged, deleted, duplicated, etc. Please title if possible using Layer Properties at least one document to show ability to organize work.

Saving-critical. Know what Save As does. Know what retitling does. Know that if you press Save (unless you do a Revert) you have just saved the document and it can’t be redone. Please leave originals alone and make a copy to create your artwork. If you use

Save A Copy as a psd –you will save your layers. Otherwise turning a psd into a jpg copy-all layers will merge.
Image Size- For now, you will be concentrating on scanning an image well and learning to
Keep detail at 300 dpi. The format can be psd or jpg.
All your files will eventually be viewed at 72 dpi resolution on-line. However,
There are tricks to making your files retain interesting detail and keep from being pixilated.
We will be covering the importance of resolution dpi, jpg, gif, psd and reasons to use various formats. We will also be covering Optimization for the Web, which allows the artist to decide on how much detail she/he is willing to forgo when thinking about downloading time.

Edit Menu: Frequently used commands include Cut, Copy, Paste, Undo. Use shortcuts please.

Image Menu: Submenus and commands in this menu allow you to choose the mode of your image, to adjust your image’s colour, saturation, brightness, or contrast. The Image Size command modifies an image’s print size and resolution. The Rotate Canvas command is useful in choosing the orientation of your image.

Layer Menu: This menu will be of interest for duplicating a layer, titling a layer, and at the end of your
Image creation Merge Visible, Merge Layers, Flatten will become important.

Select Menu: Feathering and inverse are useful tools.

Filter Menu: Various filters are organized in pop-up menus, which you are free to explore. You can view
A preview of the chosen filter, or apply it and undo it if necessary. Interesting for button design.

View Menu: The menu allows you to apply rulers, guides, and grids or hide them.

Window Menu: VERY IMPORTANT- SHOW LAYERS. You will use this a lot to create your image and edit, manipulate, cut the layers.

Toolbox: You may use most of these tools. Or just a selection. Please experiment with a copied image.

Tools I use a lot are: Marquee Tool, Move Tool, Lasso and Polygonal Lasso Tool, Magic Wand, Crop
Tool, Paintbrush Tool, Clone Tool, Eraser, Paintbucket Tool, Smudge Tool, Type Tool, Eyedropper Tool,
Zoom Tool, Foreground/Background Colours.

Photoshop is a logical software programme. When in doubt, look for visible cues. Take time to investigate. Investigation is encouraged and part of class time.