01/07/2010 by admin.

This tip demonstrates how to change Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop Elements’ Shortcut icon; that is, the icon that’s clicked to start the programme. Bear in mind, when selecting a replacement icon you can either select one of Photoshop’s (or Paint Shop Pro’s) built-in icons, or you can select an icon of your choice, perhaps one you have created yourself or downloaded to your PC.

To begin, right-click over a Shortcut icon: I am demonstrating this tip using Photoshop Elements.

Then from the subsequent Properties dialogue box, click the Shortcut tab, and then click the Change Icon tab, then click OK.  As demonstrated below.

Then from the subsequent Change Icon dialogue box, either select an icon that you have created or downloaded, by clicking the Browse tab to search your PC, then navigate to the folder where your icon has been previously saved: then highlight the icon and then click OK.  Alternatively, left-click to select an icon from Photoshop’s or Paint Shop Pro’s own icon library - as illustrated below, and then click OK.

After clicking OK the icon will then represent your choice.

Congratulations, you have changed your programme’s start icon, and it can be changed back to its original icon at any time in exactly the same way.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth. (1st July 2010)  - Free Photoshop Elements Tutorials.

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01/04/2010 by admin.

To quickly scroll through your Fonts using Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3, CS4 (Extended), and Photoshop Elements,  first,  activate the Text/Type Tool.  Then from the Type/Text Tool’s Option Bar, highlight a font by passing   your cursor over it: (Don’t left-click).

Then highlight (scroll through) different fonts by tapping any Keyboard Arrow Key. (I am using Windows XP).

Change Applied Text’s Font: Photoshop & Photoshop Elements Only
To change the font after you have applied your text: (first apply your text), then left-click over a font to highlight it: now, tap any Keyboard Arrow Key, and the applied text will change accordingly.

Adobe Photoshop And Elements Tip: Enlarge The Fonts’ Preview Size
To enlarge the Fonts’ Preview Size, from the top menu, choose Edit then choose Preferences then choose General - Ctrl then K.  From the subsequent Preferences dialogue box, click the Type tab. Then change the Font Preview Size, and click OK - as illustrated below.

Best Wishes.
Wendi E M Scarth. (1st April 2010)  - Free Photoshop Elements Tutorials.

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14/01/2010 by admin.

This tip is suitable for Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop students.

If, after having applied text with Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop, you notice its edges are ragged and unsightly, you will find changing the Antialias setting produces smooth, sharp edges.

Resolution Tip
Remember to set a New Image Resolution that is suitable for your needs.  For example, you may find increasing the Image/Canvas Resolution to 200 Pixels per Inch, as illustrated below - produces smooth, sharp text.

Paint Shop Pro New Image Resolution

Photoshop New Image Resolution

Photoshop CS CS2 CS3 CS4 (Extended)
First apply your text: then experiment with the following Antialias settings to see how they improve its appearance.

(Turning the Antialias setting to None can produce unsightly, ragged text).

Paint Shop Pro 7
Prior to applying your text: (from the following Text Entry dialogue); ensure the Antialias tick box is marked, as illustrated below.

Paint Shop Pro 8 9 X XI X2 Photo (Ultimate)
Prior to applying your text: (from the following Text Entry Bar); experiment with the Smooth and Sharp Antialias settings. (Turning the Antialias setting Off can produce unsightly, ragged text).

Saving Your Work: Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop
If you are printing or redistributing your work, remember to save it as a Gif, and not a Jpeg: - Optimise and Save Images Adobe Photoshop: Optimise and Saves Paint Shop Pro.

Wendi E M Scarth. (14th January 2010).

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02/12/2009 by admin.

To quickly resize an active Paint Shop Pro Tool:- for example the Brush or Eraser Tool.  First activate your choice of Tool, (from the left-side Toolbar).  Then press and keep pressed your Keyboard’s Alt Key.  Then press down your Mouse’s Left Button, and keep it pressed.  Now, drag your entire mouse upwards or downwards.   Moving the mouse either upwards or downwards quickly resizes an active Tool.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth.  (2nd December 2009).

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12/11/2009 by admin.

This tip explains how to quickly scroll through an open Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop Palette or Dialogue Box (including the Layers Palette), using your Keyboard’s Arrow Keys. First, (using your cursor) highlight the settings or values of an open dialogue box or palette - as illustrated below.

Then whilst the values remain highlighted, tap the Keyboard’s Top-facing or Bottom-facing Arrow Key.

Tapping the Top-facing or Bottom-facing Arrow Key quickly scrolls through the values or settings.

Note
I am using a Windows XP PC.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth.

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15/10/2009 by admin.

Whilst drawing out a Freehand Selection Marquee, for example, when employing Photoshop’s Polygonal Lasso Tool or Paint Shop Pro’s Freehand Selection Tool: whilst drawing it, you can cancel it at any time by tapping your ESC Key.
You can then redraw the Selection Marquee in the usual way.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth. (15th October 2009).

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02/10/2009 by admin.

To quickly invert a Selection Marquee using Paint Shop Pro: first, draw out - or apply your Selection Marquee. Then simultaneously press your Keyboard’s Ctrl+Shift+I keys.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth. (2nd October 2009).

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24/09/2009 by admin.

To apply Photoshop’s or Paint Shop Pro’s Paint Brush Tool; or one of Paint Shop Pro’s Picture Tubes in a straight line. First, activate the Paint Brush Tool or the Picture Tube Tool: then left-click to apply your first Picture Tube or Paint Brush application.  Then press and keep pressed the Shift Key: and move your cursor where you would like the line of Paint or Picture Tubes to end.  Then left-click to apply your second Picture Tube or Paint application - and a straight line of Paint or Picture Tubes will then be applied between the First and Second points. (If multiple straight lines are needed, repeat my previous steps).

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth. (24th September 2009).

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17/09/2009 by admin.

When working with Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, you may suddenly find, without prior warning, your workspace has changed, and you have lost familiar Palettes and Toolbars.  This can be somewhat frustrating, especially if you have organised your workspace to a personalised workflow.  If you save them, unpredictable workspaces will no longer be an issue.  Once saved, as soon as Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop starts to misbehave, you can quickly reload a saved workspace of your choice.

To save your workspace with Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3, CS4, Extended: (once you have organised it to your liking): from the top menu, choose Window then choose Workspace then choose Save Workspace.  From the subsequent Save Workspace dialogue box, enter a unique name for your workspace, then click Save.   Now, should Photoshop mislay your workspace; from the top menu, choose Window then choose Workspace then click the saved Workspace of your choice, and it will load.  You can delete your workspace, or workspaces, by choosing Window then Workspace then Delete Workspace.  (There is no limit to the number of workspaces you can save).

Paint Shop Pro 7, 8, 9, X, XI, X2, Photo; once you have organised your workspace to your liking: from the top menu, choose File then choose Workspace then choose Save.  From the subsequent Save Workspace dialogue box, enter a unique name of your choice, then click Save.  Now, should Paint Shop Pro mislay your workspace: from the top menu, choose File then choose Workspace then choose Load.  From the subsequent Load Workspace dialogue box, highlight the saved Workspace of your choice, then click Load.  You can delete a workspace by clicking File then Workspace then Delete.  (There is no limit to the number of workspaces you can save).

Best Wishes.

Wendi E. M. Scarth.

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04/09/2009 by admin.

There will be times when you need to Copy and Paste one image, or a transparent object, on top of another.  To do so, first open two images, or transparent objects, onto Paint Shop Pro 7, 8, 9, X, XI, X2 Photo’s workspace.

Then right-click one image’s top menu bar: and from the subsequent drop-down list, choose Copy, as illustrated below.

Now, activate a second image, or a transparent object: and right-click its top menu bar.

And from the subsequent drop-down list, choose Paste; then select your choice from the left-side drop-down list, as illustrated above.

An Alternative Copy And Pasting Method
First, activate your photograph, or transparent object: then from the top menu of Paint Shop Pro, choose Edit.
Now, activate your second photograph, or transparent object: then from the top menu, choose Paste then choose Paste as New Image, or Paste as New Layer.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth.  (4th September 2009).

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