31/07/2009 by admin.

First, open a transparent object onto Photoshop’s workspace: or extract an object from its background.

Note
Ensure any Layers have been Merged Visible.

Note
I am using Windows XP with Photoshop CS4 Extended.

Now, press and keep pressed your Keyboard’s Ctrl Key: then left-click once over the following Layer Thumbnail.

And your transparent image will now be isolated by a Selection Marquee, as illustrated below.

Tip
If you cannot see your Layers Palette, press F6.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth.  (31st July 2009).

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31/07/2009 by admin.

This is a handy tip, if for example, you have zoomed into an image that is open on Paint Shop Pro’s workspace, and you would like to see how it appears at its regular size.  From the top menu of Paint Shop Pro, choose Window then choose New Window.   A smaller dialogue box will open, and it will display your image at its usual size, as illustrated below.

Note
This tip is suitable for all Paint Shop Pro versions.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth.  (31st July 2009).

Posted in Paint Shop Pro Hints/Tips | Print | No Comments »

24/07/2009 by admin.

First, open a transparent object onto Paint Shop Pro’s workspace - or Extract An Image From Its Background.

Note
Ensure any Layers have been Merged Visible.

Then from the top menu, choose Selections then choose Select All.  Then again, from the top menu, choose Selections; and this time, choose Float.

Your transparent object will now be isolated with a Selection Marquee.

Note
This tip works with Transparent Objects only.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth.  (27th July 2009).

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24/07/2009 by admin.

When working in Photoshop it is helpful to see how your work appears in preview mode.  To do this, (Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3, CS4 - Extended students), from the top menu of Photoshop; choose File then choose Save for Web & Devices.  The following Save for Web & Devices dialogue box will then appear: now, navigate your image by dragging your cursor over the left-side preview.

And when you have finished, close the Save for Web & Devices dialogue box, by clicking Cancel.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth.  (24th July 2009).

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17/07/2009 by admin.

Anti-aliasing is the term used to describe how the edges of shapes - or text, get rendered with pixels. With anti-aliasing turned off, pixels are either just “on” or “off” and you see jagged edges. In some scenarios, turning off anti-aliasing is the best option.  With anti-aliasing on, the edges of shapes have semi-transparent pixels applied to give a smoother appearance.

Therefore, the very best solution for crisp, smooth edges, is to try different Fonts and Anti-aliasing settings, (or turn Anti-aliasing off altogether), and discover the best course of action for your text’s/shape’s needs.

Tip
To retain the crispness of your text; (unless it is made up of lots of colours - or is a gradient): always save it as a GIF - as opposed to saving it as a JPEG or a PNG.   Paint Shop Pro Explanation - Photoshop Explanation.

If you are working with very large text, and are keeping it large - the different Anti-aliasing and Text settings matter much less. However, with a block of small text, you are able to see how dramatically the different types of anti-aliasing matter.

When creating small shapes or text, I find the best approach is to open a fairly large New Image, much larger than is necessary, (600 pixels X 600 pixels or similar dimensions), then set the Resolution to a minimum of 300.  Now, activate the Text/Type or Custom/Preset Shape Tool, and apply your Text or Custom Shape as usual; - making it large enough to nearly fill the large canvas.  Then reduce the Text’s/Shape’s size, as demonstrated further down this page.

Note
I tend to utilise one of the Arial family fonts when creating small text, (with a Bold setting); however, for personal results, experiment with your Font collection.  For maximum readability, don’t choose a font-size that is too small: regardless of how you prepare very small font-sizes, they will never look sharp and crisp.

Tip
Duplicating the text’s Layer can produce a stronger result: if necessary, you can then reduce the Opacity of the Duplicated Layer.

After you have applied your Text or Shape; Rasterise it if necessary, (Layer then Rasterise/Convert to Raster Layer).  Then from the top menu, Photoshop students, choose Edit then choose Transform then choose Scale.  Paint Shop Pro students, from the Toolbar, activate the Deform/Deformation/Pick Tool, (depending on your version).  Then, Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI X2 Photo, from the Tool Options Ribbon, change the Mode to Scale. Paint Shop Pro 7, as you resize the Deformation Bounding Box, (at the same time), press and keep pressed your Keyboard’s Alt Key - this resizes your Text/Shape in proportion.

Now, (Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro students), reduce your Text/Shape’s size by grabbing the top-right transformation handle (that is attached to the large Transformation/Deformation Bounding Box), and move it in the opposite direction - towards the bottom-left.  This in turn reduces your Text or Shape’s size, retaining its scale; and should produce a sharper/crisper edge.

Remember, for optimum results, you need to experiment with different Fonts and Anti-aliasing settings.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth. (17th July 2009).

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10/07/2009 by admin.

It’s relatively easy to create split-colour backgrounds using Photoshop (CS, CS2, CS3, CS4 (Extended)) and Paint Shop Pro (7, 8, 9, X, XI, X2 Photo) Gradients.

Gradient backgrounds are ideal for displaying extracted objects such as the following.

To create a gradient background such as the examples above; first create a New Canvas, then Paint Shop Pro students, set the Colour/Materials Palette to your choice of Gradient - I’ve selected a Gradient named Summer Field.

Note
Ensure the Gradient Style is set to Linear.

Now, activate the Flood Fill Tool (F), and left-click to fill the canvas with your Gradient choice.

Congratulations, your gradient background is now ready to utilise by Copy and Pasting an extracted image onto it.

Tip
For personal results, experiment with different Gradients.

Photoshop students, after you have created a New Canvas; activate the Gradient Tool (G) - then activate your choice of Gradient.

Note
Ensure you choose Linear Gradient.

Now, press and keep pressed the Ctrl Key: and stretch a Gradient Line in the direction indicated below.   As soon as you release your mouse button, the gradient will be applied. (I’ve selected a Photoshop Gradient named Copper).

Congratulations, your gradient background is complete and is ready to utilise by activating the Move Tool, and dragging an extracted object onto it.

For personal results, experiment with different Gradients.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth.  (10th July 2009).

Posted in Paint Shop Pro Hints/Tips, Photoshop Hint/Tips | Print | No Comments »

06/07/2009 by admin.

Welcome to my All things Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop weblog.

Now that my Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5 (Extended), Photoshop Elements and Paint Shop Pro websites are complete, (they contain 350+, 210+ and 430+ tutorials respectively): this weblog is where I will upload additional hints, tips and tutorials that I have forgotten to include in my websites.

You are welcome to view my Personal Photographs and Artwork, that were created using either Photoshop, Elements or Paint Shop Pro, (and read about my mad furry-family, and local area of north east England) Here.

If you have comments, feedback; need Photoshop/Paint Shop Pro advice, or have an idea for a tutorial - you are welcome to contact me Here or Here.

Best Wishes Wend E M Scarth. (6th August 2009).

All content of this weblog is Copyright and cannot be reproduced.

(200+ Photoshop Elements PDF Tutorials).

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