Adobe is known to all users who have at least a distant idea of ââworking with images and photographs. This is due to the fact that this company is the creator of the legendary Photoshop program. Today, this application is the de facto standard in the world of professional designers and artists.
The capabilities of the person who works in it are limited only by his own skill. However, not all users are real luminaries: how to work in Photoshop CS6? There are special video tutorials for beginners, but not everyone has time to watch them. Well, letâs try to cover this question at least a little.
Weâll immediately warn you that itâs simply unrealistic to squeeze even a couple percent of the amount of information that would be appropriate in this case into this article. Therefore, we will confine ourselves to the most superficial introduction to the topic and reveal the basic concepts that will be useful to you in mastering the Photoshop CS6 program.
Layers
A layer is a basic constant that you have to deal with. By the way, what is it? In this case, a layer is understood as a separate image, which has its own borders, clearly delineated from other parts of the image.
What are these layers for? This is a very important issue. The fact is that thanks to them it is possible to carry out operations on almost every part of the image, without affecting the entire picture as a whole. In fact, the image in Photoshop can be represented in the form of a giant mosaic, for each puzzle in which transparency options, colors, and other parameters are separately set.
Since working in Photoshop CS6 (for beginners the program may seem very complicated, but in reality everything is not so scary) without the mentioned tool is impossible, we recommend that you master the basics and consolidate the knowledge gained in practice. It is very simple to take the first steps in this matter. To do this, open any image, go to the âLayerâ tab, select âCreate a new layerâ.
Change something in the image. Then follow the path above again, creating a second layer. Also draw something on it. Then again go to the same tab, select the "Connect Layers" command. This is roughly how all the main work in the program is performed.
As for the interface, Photoshop CS6 appeared in Russian not so long ago. If you are looking for tips on the Internet, then there are often instructions in English. Keep this in mind!
Hotkeys, or Hotkeys
When using Photoshop continuously, itâs important to remember the most commonly used keyboard shortcuts. It is almost impossible to constantly keep in mind all of them, but the most frequently used combinations must be known. The fact is that the combinations practically do not change in different versions of the program, so it takes much less time to master a new release.
So let's look at the simplest options. Pressing CTRL + N opens a new document. It is much easier to press the hotkey than to use the main menu with the mouse. In addition, it will be useful to use the combination CTRL + O, since it allows you to open a dialog box with a choice of files to open. The CTRL + K keys are useful, which open a dialog box for the main program settings. Surely many users know that CTRL + Z cancels the last action. This also works in Photoshop.
Keys for Layers
But in this program work with layers is of much greater importance, so you should remember at least some hot keys associated with this term. So, to create a new level, press SHIFT + CTRL + N. After that, a dialog box immediately opens with the settings of the newly created layer. The F7 button is also important, as it opens the palette setting. To quickly jump to the layer up, press ALT +]. To move down a layer, use SHIFT + ALT +].
If you want to go to the lowest level, you must use the combination SHIFT + ALT + [. If you need to set the current layer as the main one, press SHIFT + CTRL +]. Merging layers (which we talked about at the very beginning) is done using the CTRL + E buttons. As you can see, hot keys are extremely important because they save a lot of time.
Using hotkeys when working with filters
Working with filters is quite complicated and time consuming. Therefore, using hot keys in this process is also important. Moreover, there are not so many basic combinations. So, if you want to repeat the last used filter with its default settings, press CTRL + F. If you need the same filter, but with open settings, use the CTRL + ALT + F keys.
Not sure how to reset all dialog box settings? Just press ALT together with the ESC key. The value of this combination is that it works in exactly the same way in all settings dialog boxes.
Choose brushes!
None of the masters or novice users of Photoshop can fully work without the most common Brush tool. Today we will try to choose it for work, learning about the methods of regulating the parameters. Using this or that option, you can create a form that is ideal for your work, dynamically change the size, select the dispersion, texture, as well as the degree of depression and transparency.
First you need to activate the "Brushes" tool for "Photoshop CS6" by pressing the "B" key. We click on the icon we need, where you can adjust all the parameters. You must press the F5 key on the keyboard or use the "Window" menu, where you can go to the "Brushes" item. I must say that the menu has enough settings, the main of which we will consider.
Before choosing the right tool, you must select the shape of its print. It all depends on the type of work you are doing. The same can be said for diameter. There are tons of options! However, when training it is recommended to choose simple forms of the brush and the average diameter of its print. It should be noted that you can quickly change the last parameter using the keys "[" (reduce the diameter), or "]" (increase it).
Using the slider called âStiffnessâ, you can adjust the center of stiffness of the tool. Simply put, with the selected indicator â0â you will get a soft brush. The âOpacityâ tab, as you might guess from the name, helps to set the parameter that is often used when retouching photos.
What else is worth paying attention to before working in Photoshop CS6? For beginners, it would not be out of place to look at the work of experienced artists and photographers: you can clearly see how and under what conditions it is best to use the basic techniques, the same retouching or aging of a photograph.
Often, when choosing a brush, its color plays an important role. On the toolbar (at the very bottom) there is a button that allows you to adjust this parameter. It should be noted that when choosing, the color in which the top square is painted is considered active.
Other principles for choosing a brush
However, the brush selection for Photoshop CS6 is not limited only to these parameters. For example, quite often there is a need to change the angle of inclination, which is achieved by adjusting the settings in the dialog box of the same name (if you have not forgotten, it is called up by pressing the F5 key). Here you can increase the size of the tool, as well as change its tilt.
It should be noted that when choosing brushes of an unusual shape (butterfly, asterisk, leaves), it is necessary to set a sufficient interval, since otherwise the image may turn into a graphic "mess". By experimenting with various parameters, over time, you will learn how to set the optimal for each type of work, using hundreds of parameters available in the program.
Naturally, like this right away, in one sitting, you wonât be able to master Photoshop. The program in Russian is the best option for beginners, since you can always read the help by pressing F1.
Plugins
Plugins (also called external modules) are additional filters that connect to Photoshop. However, this can also be called some additional software modules that expand the functionality of the application. Essentially, plugins for Photoshop CS6 are small additional programs that work inside the main software package.
In Photoshop, they are most often used for advanced imitation of drawing methods; they are often used to reduce noise and improve sharpness; with their help, you can automatically set the focus on some object located in the photo.
Plugins are most often developed only for a specific version of Photoshop, which often provides a lot of difficulties when switching to a new release. However, they are very good in that each user can create a unique set of tools suitable specifically for his purposes. In general, it is Photoshop CS6 for beginners that is the most suitable option, since it is more visual, and by default contains more tools.
Thus, it is better to focus on the option of "advanced filters." They are also able to change the image being processed, they can distort it or remove noise and adjust sharpness correctly.
To install the plug-in, you need to download its file from the Internet, and then move it to the âPhotoshop / Plug-Insâ directory. However, some âseriousâ applications often have their own installation file. In this case, their installation is simplified to the extreme: you just need to start the process and follow the instructions. When the installation is complete, new filters will be displayed in the program (it may need to be reloaded).
So, we looked at how to work in Photoshop CS6. For beginners, the information provided is still sufficient, it is necessary to consolidate knowledge in practice, and then already grasp all the subtleties of the process.
Some plugins for Photoshop
Let's take a closer look at the purpose of some of the "helpers" for Adobe Photoshop. For example, the very popular ICOFormat add-on is specially designed to save especially small images up to 200x200 px in size using the standard .ico extension.
Genuine Fractals Pro can enlarge the image, and this process takes place without loss of quality. For the same purpose, the Blow Up and AKVIS Magnifier add-ons can be used.
The AKVIS Chameleon plugin is ideal for creating collages. It allows you to automatically adjust the inserted fragments to the color of the main image. In addition, it somewhat erodes sharp edges, making collages more âaliveâ.
In conclusionâŚ
It should be noted that plugins can be distributed not only separately, but also in the form of large thematic packages. Most of the image processing processes with their help can be significantly accelerated. However, you need to remember that success in using plug-ins will only be accompanied by someone who understands the principle of their action and who can do all these operations manually!
Here are such brief lessons from Photoshop CS6. Master the program in practice, trial and error - this is the best option.