01/09/2010 by admin.

To set Photoshop CS through to CS5’s and Photoshop Elements’ Foreground and Background Colour Swatches to the default Black and White Colour Swatches; press your Keyboard’s D Key.

And then to swap their colours, tap your Keyboard’s X Key.

Best Wishes.

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

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01/08/2010 by admin.

This tip demonstrates how to utilise Photoshop CS through to CS5’s Spell Checker.  To utilise the Spell Checker, after first applying your type: right-click over it, and from the subsequent drop-down list, choose Check Spelling.

Now, correct any mistakes by typing in your word, or by selecting one from the Suggestions list, and then click Change.  And when your mistakes have been corrected, click Done.

And then, if necessary click the Type Tool’s Commit any current edits tick.

Change The Spell Checker To Your Country’s Language
To change the Spell Checker’s language; from the top menu choose Window and then click a tick before Character - as illustrated below.

And from the bottom of the subsequent Character dialogue box, click open the language list, and then left-click to highlight the language of your choice.

When you next utilise the Spell Checker, it will be set to your country’s language.

Best Wishes.

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

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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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01/06/2010 by admin.

If you find Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5 (Extended) or Photoshop Elements Editor is misbehaving to the extent that it won’t open, or is behaving in such a manner that you are considering reinstalling it, try deleting the Preference first.  Deleting Photoshop’s Preferences has saved me from reinstalling Photoshop and Photoshop Elements on more than one occasion.  This is how to safely delete Photoshop’s Preferences.

Preferences Note
Photoshop remembers environmental preferences for example, Tool settings and the last File Format utilised by storing the information in a file every time you close Photoshop.  When Photoshop behaves erratically, deleting the Preferences  can get Photoshop to work properly again.  Because of the number of times the Preferences File is altered and updated, it’s always in danger of becoming corrupt: - as long as you back up any new files, for example, Brushes or Actions; deleting the Preferences File won’t delete your newly created (or downloaded) files.

Tip
Prior to deleting Photoshop’s Preferences, back up to an external drive your newly created Brushes and Custom Shapes, etc.

Now, to delete Photoshop’s Preferences, first power up Photoshop as usual: then (before Photoshop has time to load its settings), immediately press the Ctrl+Shift+Alt Keys all at the same time.

Note
You will find this easier if you hover your fingers over the three keys, just before powering up Photoshop.

If you have followed my previous steps correctly, (pressing Ctrl, Alt and Shift before Photoshop opens), you will see the following “Delete Preferences” dialogue box.

Now, (to delete Photoshop’s Preferences), click Yes.

Photoshop will then delete its Preferences File and it, Photoshop, will open.  You will then have to reset your Preferences.

To access Photoshop’s Preferences dialogue box, from the top menu, choose Edit then choose Preferences: (Ctrl then K).

Now, make your choice from the subsequent Preferences dialogue box, and then click OK.

Best Wishes.

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

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06/05/2010 by admin.

This tip is suitable for Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5 (Extended) and Photoshop Elements Editor.

When implementing the Paint Brush or Eraser Brush Tools for precise intricate work, you will find it helpful to display your Brush Tool’s Crosshairs.  To display Photoshop’s Brush Tool Crosshairs, from the top menu, choose Edit then choose Preferences then choose Cursors.  From the subsequent Preferences dialogue box, mark Crosshairs and Full Size Brush Tip - as illustrated below - then click OK.

Tip
For personal results; explore the Painting and Other Cursors settings.

Best Wishes.

Wendi E M Scarth. (6th May 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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22/01/2010 by admin.

If, like me, you regularly work with dozens of layers, this Adobe Photoshop tip will save lots of time by allowing you to select multiple Layers at the same time. Once you have selected your choice of layers, you can then quickly duplicate, delete or apply Filters and Commands to them.

(My completed gem encrusted Union Flag - 800+ Layers Gem Britannic - can be viewed here).

(This tip is suitable for Photoshop CS2, CS3 and CS4 (Extended) - and I am using Windows XP).

Open your work onto Photoshop’s workspace.

Then activate the Move Tool.

First, press and keep pressed your Keyboard’s Shift Key.  Now, let’s say for example, you wanted to highlight/activate just the blue gems’ layers, below.  You would highlight each respective layer in the Layers Palette by carefully left-clicking over each blue gem.

Note
You must ensure every gem (or object) is highlighted in the Layers Palette: if its not highlighted, it won’t move as a unit.

Zoom Tool Tip
If you Zoom into your work using the Zoom Tool you will find it easier to highlight intricate objects.  (Remember to reactivate the Move Tool after Zooming in).

Keep the Shift Key pressed: and simultaneously press and keep pressed the Keyboard’s Alt Key.  Now, whilst the Shift and Alt Keys are pressed; hover your cursor over the area you want to move (for example the blue gems), and your cursor icon will change to two Arrowheads - one will be White and the other will be Black.  Now, while the Shift and Alt Keys remain pressed; drag your cursor away from the area you are copying (for example, the blue gems).  All highlighted Layers (gems) will then behave as if they were one unit: that is to say, they will all move together - as illustrated below.

Important
After you have duplicated your layers, (for example, the gems), at this stage, don’t drag them to a different position, dragging them now will cause the unit to break up, and you will have to go back and highlight them again.

To move your highlighted objects as one unit; you can either nudge them into position using your Keyboard’s Arrow Keys.

Alternatively, from the top menu, choose Edit then choose Transform: then select a Transformation Tool from the subsequent drop-down list.

After they have been repositioned, click the following Commit Transformation Tick.  Alternatively, tap your Enter key.

Delete Objects Tip
Whilst their layers remain highlighted, objects can be deleted by tapping your Keyboards’ Delete Key.

Smart Filters Tip
After any transformation, it’s always a good idea to apply a Sharpening Filter.  To apply a filter to your selected unit, you must convert them to Smart Filters first.  To do so, from the top menu, choose Filter then choose Convert for Smart Filters.

Once your selected unit has been converted into Smart Filters, they will be merged into one layer.  This layer (the merged unit) can then be moved with the Move Tool in the usual manner.  You can then apply a Sharpening Filter of your choice.

Smart Objects Tips
As an alternative to Smart Filters, your selected group can be converted into Smart Objects.

Applying Filter or Commands to Smart Object and Smart Filters
To be able to apply any Command or Filter to Smart Filters or Smart Objects, they must be Rasterised first.  To Rasterise a Smart Object/Filter’s Layer, right-click the layer (in the Layers Palette), and choose Rasterise Layer from the subsequent drop-down list.

You can now apply one of the following Adjustments, or a Filter of your choice to the Rasterised Smart Object/Filter’s Layer.

If the duplication has missed out some of your work, (this can happen if all objects haven’t been highlighted): after your unit has been fully repositioned - you can quickly fill in the gaps by duplicating a single object by Alt/Clicking and dragging away from the object.

My comprehensive on-line Photoshop Layers tutorial can be found here.

Wendi E.M. Scarth. (22nd January 2010).

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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 straighten crooked horizons using Photoshop’s Ruler Tool: (I am utilising CS4 Extended).  First, open your image onto Photoshop’s workspace.  Then from the left-side Toolbar, activate the Ruler Tool.  (You will find this tool hiding beneath the Eyedropper Tool). Once the Ruler Tool has been activated, hover your cursor over the edge of your photograph’s horizon, then left-click and drag a straight line right across the image - to the opposite side.   Once the horizon line has been applied: from the top menu, choose Image then choose Image Rotation then choose Arbitrary.  Photoshop will now automatically enter the correct rotation Angle.  Now, click OK - and providing you have applied a straight line with the Ruler Tool, your crooked horizon will straighten.

You may need to Crop away areas of blank space that this technique generates.

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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