Getting Started with Photoshop CS3 - Part II

Using Shortcut Keys


One of Photoshop's key features is that almost everything can be done using keyboard shortcuts. Shortcut keys, as the name implies, let you perform tasks in a shorter time. Using shortcut keys reduces the use of mouse and speeds up your tasks. Here are the most common shortcut keys: Marquee Tool (M), Lasso Tool (L), Eraser Tool (E), Move Tool (V), Magic Wand Tool (W), Type Tool (T), New Document (Ctrl+N), Open Document (Ctrl+O), Save Document (Ctrl+S), and the list goes on. For the rest of shortcut keys, you can find them here: Photoshop Shortcut Keys.

Manage your Libraries with the Preset Manager


The Preset Manager gives you the ability to manage your library sets such as brushes, swatches, gradients, styles, patterns, contours, custom shapes and preset tools. Once a library is loaded in the Preset Manager, you can access the library's items in all locations where the preset is available. Modifications done in the Preset Manager is global, which means these are loaded everytime you open Photoshop.

Let's create a new Preset library.


Step 1. Go to Edit then Preset Manager.
Step 2. Click the Preset Type list arrow, and then select the options.
Step 3. Click the Options list arrow, and then select from the available presets then append them to your current item list.
Step 4. Click an image thumbnail then press Delete to remove any items that you don't want to include in the new preset.
Step 5. Organize their order by clicking and dragging each thumbnails to new positions inside the window.
Step 6. If you want to rename an item, click a thumbnail, click Rename and change the thumbnail name then click OK.
Step 7. Let's save our new preset by clicking Save Set button.
Step 8. Enter a file name and select a location you want to store the set.
Step 9. Once completed, click Save and then click Done.

Controlling your Workspace

A cluttered desk means a cluttered mind. Imagine that your workspace is your desk and its full of objects. You need some of it for a specific task, and the rest are not. Therefore, when you need a tool, you end up searching inside the pile of materials. So, in order to save time, keep those tools that you won't be needing at the moment. Same thing with Photoshop. Photoshop consists of a document surrounded by an options bar, toolbox, and floating palettes. Depending on how you work, your workspace may exhibit any combination of the above. For example, working with text, you'll need the Character and Paragraph palettes but not much of the Styles or Histogram palettes. In order for you to work efficiently, you need to organize your workspace. And to avoid redesigning your workspace everytime you start a new task, Photoshop allows you to create and save your own customized workspaces. Here's how it's done.

Step 1. Arrange the palettes according to your preferences.
Step 2. Go to Window then Workspace then Save Workspace.
Step 3. Type a name for your workspace then click Save.


Consequently, if you want to delete a customized workspace, simply do the following:

Step 1. Go to Window then Workspace then Delete Workspace.
Step 2. Click the Workspace list arrow, and then click the workspace you want to delete.
Step 3. Click Delete. Then confirm deletion by clicking Yes.

If at any time you want to reset all palettes back to their original configuration, simply go to Window menu then Workspace option then Reset Palette Locations.