Selection in Photoshop CS3 - Part III

The Magic Wand Tool

Photoshop's Magic Wand tool(W) is a powerful tool to create a selection out of odd shaped areas in the image considering there is an acceptable shift or offset in the brightness of the pixels. You don't drag and select with this tool, just a simple click will do the job for you. Where we can apply this? A great example is when you want to change the color of a bright blue sky in the image. And this sky is distinguished with dark forest of trees below. Thus selection of the sky would be a breeze. 'Nuf said, let's start by opening an image in Photoshop.

Using the Magic Wand Tool

Step 1. Select the Magic Wand tool(W) on the toolbox.
Step 2. Use the Preset Tool list arrow, and then select from the available presets.
Step 3. Use the selection options on the Options bar to create a new selection, or add, subtract or intersect an existing selection.
Step 4. Enter a Tolerance value (between 0 to 255). Note: Setting it to a higher value, the more selective information the Magic Wand tool picks out.
Step 5. Click on the Anti-aliased check box if you want to create a smoother selection.
Step 6. Select the Contiguous check box if you want to select adjacent pixels within the active document.
Step 7. Select the "Use All Layers" check box to pick image information from all layers.
Step 8. Click an area to create a selection.
Step 9. Click the "Refine Edge" button in the Options bar above to further enhance your selection.

Tip #: If you want to select multiple areas, just hold the Shift key then click on another section of the image.

The Quick Selection Tool

This tool is a new amazing feature in Photoshop CS3. The Quick Selection tool helps you create selections by painting a selection using an adjustable brush tip. As you "paint", the selection grows outward and automatically finds and follows defined edge in the image. Instead of holding the Shift key to select multiple areas in your image, use Photoshop's quick selection tool instead. I hope you get the idea.

Let's have an exercise.

Step 1. Select the Quick Selection tool(W) on the toolbox. Hold the Shift key then press "W" to shift from Magic Wand tool to Quick Selection Tool.
Step 2. Use the Preset Tool list arrow, and then select from the available presets.
Step 3. Use the selection options on the Options bar to create a new selection, add, or subtract an existing selection.
Step 4. Pick a brush tip by clicking the Brush picker list tool. Note: Setting it to a higher value, the larger the initial selection the Quick Selection tool picks out.
Step 5. Select the "Use All Layers" check box to pick image information from all layers.
Step 6. Select the "Auto-Enhance" check box to automatically enhance the edges of the selection.
Step 7. Click an area and drag to create a selection.
Step 8. Click the "Refine Edge" button in the Options bar above to further enhance your selection.

There you have it. More of selection tools on our next tutorial. Stay tuned.

Selection in Photoshop CS3 - Part II

For today's tutorial, we will learn how to use Photoshop's Single Row and Single Column Marquee tools. Are you ready? Open up your Photoshop applications now.


The Single Row and Single Column Marquee Tools

We have learned on our earlier tutorial that you can use Photoshop's Rulers to create a guide horizontally and vertically just by dragging the ruler to the active window. Remember? Now, if we want to create a 60-degree guide or a 45-degree guide, we can't use these rulers. Instead, we need to create a customized guide using these two amazing Photoshop tools, the single row and single column marquee tools. These tools let you create a 1-pixel wide horizontal or vertical selection.

Let's have a demo.

Step 1. Create a new document. Let's say a 300x300 pixels document. Set background content to white. Then click OK.
Step 1. Create a new layer for the 45-degree guide so as not to damage the image plus we can use the Move tool(V) to relocate it anywhere where it's needed. Name this layer as "45 deg guide" (just double click "Layer 1" layer just above the "Background" layer)
Step 2. Locate and select the Single Row Marquee tool or Single Column Marquee tool on the toolbox.
Step 3. Click on the Tool Preset list arrow, and then select from the available presets.
Step 4. Use the selection options on the Options bar to create a new selection, or add, subtract or intersect an existing selection.
Step 5. Drag the selection area in the active window.

Now you have two ways to fill this selection with any color we want. Instinctively, you'll do this way: Use the Zoom In tool("Ctrl"+"plus" keys) repeatedly until you can see clearly the area of the marquee. Then use Photoshop's Paint Bucket tool(G) and click on the area. Then Zoom Out("Ctrl"+"minus" keys). But here's an easy way, read carefully.

Step 6. Press "Alt"+"Backspace" keys to fill the selection with the chosen color. No more zooming in and out.

Pretty neat huh?! Tee-hee. Let's continue.

Step 7. Go to Edit menu. Then select Transform then choose Rotate.
Step 8. Enter a value of 45 in the Angle options in the Options bar above. Press Ctrl+D keys to deselect the marquee selection.

You should now have like this one. Give yourself a pat on the back. Well done.

That's it for today. On our next tutorial, we'll tackle how to use The Magic Wand Tool plus a new feature in CS3, the Quick Selection tool. Stay tuned.

Selection in Photoshop CS3 - Part I

Hi there. Happy Easter to all! Easter symbolizes a new beginning so we'll start with a very interesting topic in Photoshop CS3 - The Art of Selection.

Many times you want to edit a certain area of an image - to enhance an old photo, to get rid of dust and scratches, or even to apply a gradient or solid color. Photoshop offers you so many ways to create your desired selection.

The Marquee tools are considered Photoshop's "good old" selection tools. In fact, they've been part of Photoshop since the early days. Marquee tools let you select areas of an image in a structured way (squares, circles, lines). While the Lasso tools add a bit of free form selection to the mix. Lasso tools require a steady hand and a steady hand. When you create a certain area in the image, the selection becomes now your working area - filters, brushes, and adjustments will only work within the selection boundary.

Let's jump to our first topic or tool which is the Rectangular Marquee tool.

Rectangular Marquee Tool(M)

As the name implies, the rectangular marquee tool lets you create rectangular and square selection marquees.

Let's try an exercise.

Step 1. Click the Rectangular Marquee tool on the toolbox. (or press the "M" key)
Step 2. Find the Tool Preset list arrow in the Options toolbar, then click on it. Choose from the available tool presets, if any.
Step 3. Use the selection tools on the Options bar to produce a new selection, or add, subtract or intersect an existing selection.
Step 4. Supply a numerical value (between 0 to 250) in the Feather box to create a feathered selection edge.
Step 5. Click the Style list arrow, and then select from the available styles:
- Normal. Lets you create freeform rectangular, or square marquee selections.
- Fixed Aspect Ratio. Lets you create selections using a specific ratio, such as 2 to 1 ratio. Enter the Fixed Aspect Ratio values in the width and height boxes.
- Fixed size. Lets you create selections based on an absolute size such as 30 pixels by 90 pixels. Enter the Fixed Size values in the width and height boxes.
Step 6. Select an area you want by dragging the cursor. When you release the mouse, the marquee is created.
Step 7. (Advanced Feature in Photoshop CS3) Click the Refine Edge button in the Options toolbar. Change the values depending on your preference. Once done, click OK.

The Refine Edge Dialog Box

Tip #18: To further control the selection, hold the Shift key to produce a perfect square. Normally, the reference points when selecting an area are on its corners. Try selecting an area from left to right, top to bottom, you'll notice that the selection starts at the corner of your selection. But if you press and hold the Alt key, you'll notice that you create a marquee from the center out. You may opt to use both Shift and Alt keys depending on what the task requires. This technique also applies when you're using the next tool, the elliptical marquee tool.


Elliptical Marquee Tool(M)

The elliptical marquee tool lets you create oval, or circular selection marquees. Let's have an exercise.

Step 1. Select the Elliptical Marquee tool. If the current selected tool is the Rectangular Marquee tool, hold Shift key then press "M" key.
Step 2. Go to the Options toolbar, then click on the Tool Preset list arrow. Select from the available tool presets, if any.
Step 3. Use the selection tools on the Options bar to create a new selection, or add, subtract or intersect an existing selection.
Step 4. Enter a numerical value (0 to 250) in the Feather box to create a feathered selection edge.
Step 5. Select the Anti-aliased check box to create a softer selection.
Step 6. Click the Style list arrow, and then select from the available styles:
- Normal. Lets you create free form elliptical, or circular marquee selections.
- Fixed Aspect Ratio. Lets you create selections using a specific ratio, such as 1 to 1 ratio (perfect circle). Enter the Fixed Aspect Ratio values in the width and height boxes.
- Fixed size. Lets you create selections based on an absolute size such as 100 pixels by 200 pixels. Enter the Fixed Size values in the width and height boxes.
Step 7. Select an area you want by dragging the cursor. When you release the mouse, the marquee is created.
Step 8. (Advanced Feature in Photoshop CS3) Click the Refine Edge button in the Options toolbar. Change the values depending on your preference. Once done, click OK.

Pretty much alike with the Rectangular Marquee tool. An important thing to note here is the anti-aliasing feature that Photoshop offers us. It allows us to create a much smoother selection.


Continued on next tutorial. Stay tuned.

Navigating inside Photoshop - Part IV

Note before we begin: I'll occasionally write in this following format - Tool(Shortcut key) or Function(Shortcut keys). Just put a comment if you're not comfortable with this. So shall we start? ^^;


We've learned about on how to use the Navigation palettes, different ways to Zoom In and Out of the active window, move images between documents and how Info palette works. Today we'll look on rulers.

Ruler plays an important role in a design. Ruler guides help you correctly align image design elements. As a matter of fact, if you're working on a CRT monitor, chances are you can be deceived by the horizontal and vertical. So by using ruler guides, you give access to precise alignment systems. To use Ruler guides, the ruler bars must first be visible. How? Go to View menu and then click Rulers (Ctrl+R).

Change Ruler Options

Step 1. Go to Edit menu then Preferences then go to Units and Rulers.
Step 2. Select Ruler measurements and Type from the available options.
Step 3. Click OK.

Tip #13: You can choose what type of pica/point size to use. The Postscript (72 points/inch) and the Traditional (72.27 points/inch). Postscript is more widely used, therefore Photoshop defaults to this option.


Using Ruler Guides

Step 1. Place your mouse cursor at the vertical or the horizontal Ruler bar. Now click and drag into the document.
Step 2. Return to the Ruler bar and continue to drag until you have all your guides set properly.
Step 3. Click the View menu and then click Lock Guides to lock the existing guides in place, or click Clear Guides to remove all guides.
Step 4. Click the Move tool(V) on the toolbox to drag existing guides to a new position. (Make sure you don't lock the guides.)
Step 5. Click Edit then go to Preferences. Select Guides, Grid and Slices to modify the color and form of the guides.

Tip #14: There's another way to remove guides but one at a time. First, make sure that Lock Guides isn't selected, and then click the Move tool. Drag the existing guide you want to remove back to the corresponding Ruler bar.



Creating Notes

Notes can be found everywhere - around your cubicle, stuck at your refrigerators, bulletin boards and even your computer monitor (gotcha!!). When you work with Photoshop, the ability to save notes can help you remember an important part of the design, or they can instruct another designer about the how's and why's of your document. Let's create a sample note after the jump.

Step 1. Select the Notes tool(N) on the toolbox.
Step 2. Click on the active document to create a blank note.
Step 3. Enter the text for your note.
Step 4. Click the close button. As simple as that.

Tip #15: You can save time by double clicking the note icon to open and close a note. Plus you can also right-click the note icon or access a shortcut menu with note commands.

Tip #16: You can also change the Author, Font, and even the default color of a Note. Here how you do it: Select a note, go to the Options bar to create a personalized note style; however, if the font you choose is not available on the computer, a default font will be substituted.

Creating an Audio Annotation

In addition to text notes, Photoshop gives you the ability to create audio notes. To create an audio note, your computer must have the ability to record sound. Aside from being able to communicate clearly, audio annotations give a sense of emotion or urgency, that sometimes can't be communicated a written note.

How to create an Audio Annotation

Step 1. Click and hold the Notes tool on the toolbox and then click the Audio Annotation tool. (Alternative: hold Shift key then press N to switch options)
Step 2. Click on the active document to access the Audio Annotation dialog box.
Step 3. Click Start to begin recording.
Step 4. Click Stop to end recording.
Step 5. Double-click on the Audio Annotation button to play the new message.

Tip #17: You can delete an audio annotation by simply clicking the speaker symbol, and then press Backspace key.


That's all I have to share regarding on how to Navigate inside Photoshop. Next week, I'll teach you how to master the art of selection. :)

Navigating inside Photoshop - Part III

Move Layers Between Two Open Documents

Supposedly, you have a group picture with your family and you don't like the background, so you erase it. You open a new document where your new background is then you copy and paste it to your active window. Simple, isn't it? But you know that there is a simpler way to do this. Photoshop has the ability to move layers between open documents. Here's how:

Step 1. Open two or more documents.
Step 2. Click on the document that contains the layer you want to move.
Step 3. Select the Move tool on the toolbox. (or just press the "V" shortcut key)
Step 4. Drag the layer you want to move from the open window to the second document. Note: If the document you're moving a layer into contains more than one layer, Photoshop replaces the layer you're moving directly above the active layer in the second document. If the layer is in the wrong stacking order, drag it up and down in the Layers palette until it is correctly positioned.

Tip #9: So as not to be confused on what layer you are moving when working with multiple layers, simply go to the Layers palette then drag the layer thumbnail to the document window of the second document. Aight!?


Using the Info Palette

Photoshop's Info palette tells you so many information about your image such as the color values in RGB, as well as CMYK, the x & y position of your mouse cursor, the width and the height of the image. In Photoshop CS3, they added a note in the footer section of the Info palette which tells us on how to use the current selected tool. Anyway, one of the elements of good design is through color. By creating color markers, you help identify the location of specific color points within an image.

Let's try these exercises.

Creating a Specific Size Object

Step 1. Select the Info palette. If you're using a default workspace, Info palette usually goes with Navigator and Histogram palette. Just click on the Info palette tab.
Step 2. Next, select a drawing tool on the toolbox, such as a Rectangle tool (or simply press "U" shortcut key).
Step 3. Drag in the document window to create a rectangular shape.
Step 4. Release the mouse when the Info palette displays the correct dimensions.


Creating a Color Marker

Step 1. Select the Info palette.
Step 2. Select the Eyedropper tool on the toolbox (or simply press "I" shortcut key).
Step 3. Move the Eyedropper tool into the document, hold down the Shift key, and then click once to create a color marker. Notice the mark sign with a number below it.

Tip #10: Photoshop allows you to create up to 4 color markers. Simply hold down again the Shift key then click somewhere on the image.

Tip #11: If you want to move a color marker, hold down the Shift key then place your mouse cursor above the color marker. Your mouse cursor should change to an arrowhead. Click on the color marker and you can start dragging it anywhere inside the image.

Tip #12: If you want to delete these color markers, simply hold down Shift+Alt keys (notice that your mouse cursor changes into a scissor), then click a color marker.

Have fun with this tutorial. The last part of this tutorial is about creating ruler guides and putting notes in your document and will be released next week.

Navigating inside Photoshop - Part II

Changing the Screen Display Mode

Question: Why do we need to do this after all? I'm satisfied now with my current window.
Answer: If you're working on an image, you can see all Photoshop palette's colors and changing the Screen mode gives you a chance to see your image against a solid color background. Some discrepancies are being noticed when switching display modes.

Here's how you do it.

Step 1. Click one of the Screen Mode buttons at the bottom of the toolbox (This is in Photoshop CS. But you can just press "F" key in Photoshop CS3):

Standard Screen Mode. This display the image against a gray background. All menus and palettes are visible.

Full Screen Mode with Menu Bar. This centers the image, and displays it against a gray background.

Full Screen Mode. This centers the image, and displays it against a black background.


Tip #4: You can temporarily hide all of Photoshop's palettes and toolbox by pressing "Tab" key. Try pressing the Tab key in every screen mode and notice what happens in your window.

Tip #5: If you just want to hide Photoshop's palettes, simply hold the Shift key and then press Tab key.


Changing the View with the Zoom Tool

Another way to gain more control in your image is by using the Zoom tool. Just like the Navigator palette discussed in our previous tutorials, the Zoom tool does not alter the active image but it only lets you view the image at different magnifications. The maximum magnification of a Photoshop document is 1600 percent, and the minimum magnification is less than 1 percent of the original image size.

Here's how you do it.

Zoom In the View of an Image

Step 1. Select the Zoom tool on the toolbox.

Step 2. Use one of the following methods:
- Click on the document. The increases in magnification centered on where you clicked.

- Drag to define an area with the Zoom tool. The image increases in magnification based on the boundaries of the area you dragged.


Zoom Out the View of an Image

Step 1. Select the Zoom tool on the toolbox.

Step 2. Hold down the Alt key, and then click on the screen to reduce the zoom of the active document. The zoom reduction centers on where you click on the active document.


Tip #6: Another way to zoom in or out is by using shortcut keys. To zoom in, press Ctrl+Spacebar keys then click or drag to define an area. To zoom out, press Ctrl+Spacebar+Alt keys and click or drag to define an area. Pretty nifty huh?!

Tip #7: Having difficulties in pressing the above buttons? Okay, here's a quick alternative. It's possible to change the zoom of a document without ever leaving the keyboard. Just press and hold the Ctrl key, and then press the plus "+", or minus "-" keys to zoom in or zoom out respectively.

Tip #8: If you have more than one open document and you want to Zoom In or Out on all those open documents, simply click the Zoom tool(one that looks like a magnifying glass) on the toolbox (or just simply press "Z"). Look in the Options menu at the top of the window, and you'll see the "Zoom All Windows" option. Just click on the check box to enable this option. Then you can now Zoom In or Out in all of your documents.


That's it for today. Hope you enjoyed today's lesson. More of Photoshop navigation in our next tutorial. Stay tuned.