Guided Computer Tutorials

Learning
Adobe
Photoshop
CS4
By Greg Bowden
PUBLISHED BY

GUIDED COMPUTER TUTORIALS

PO Box 311
Belmont, Victoria, 3216, Australia

www.gct.com.au

© Greg Bowden

This product is available in Single or Multi User versions.

Single-user versions are for single student or teacher use at any

particular time, just as a single text book would be used. If you intend
to use the notes with multiple students the single user version should
be upgraded to the multi-user version.

Multi-user versions allow the school or institution to print as many

copies as required, or to place the PDF files on the school network,
intranet and staff laptops. A certificate of authentication is provided
with multi-user versions. Bookmarks provide links to all headings and
sub-headings, and individual chapters are provided.

First published 2009

ISBN: Module 1 1 921217 69 3

Module 2: 1 921217 70 7
Module 3 1 921217 71 5

PDF document on CD-ROM

Every effort has been made to ensure that images used in this
publication are free of copyright, but there may be instances where
this has not been possible. Guided Computer Tutorials would
welcome any information that would redress this situation.
Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

Module 1 Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction to Photoshop

Loading Photoshop..........................................................................................................1-1
The Tools Panel...................................................................................................................1-2
Using the Tools...................................................................................................................1-3
The Panel Group................................................................................................................1-5
Layers.....................................................................................................................................1-6
Loading a Sample File..........................................................................................1-6
Looking at the Layers...........................................................................................1-7
Layer Visibility..........................................................................................................1-8
Locking Layers.........................................................................................................1-9
Naming Layers .................................................................................................... 1-10
Deleting Layers.................................................................................................... 1-11
Adding a New Layer........................................................................................... 1-12
The Layer Order................................................................................................... 1-14
Layer Opacity........................................................................................................ 1-15
Screen Views..................................................................................................................... 1-16
The Zoom Tool................................................................................................................. 1-18
The Hand Tool.................................................................................................................. 1-19
Photoshop Workspaces . ............................................................................................. 1-20
Photoshop Assignment 1.......................................................................1-22

Chapter 2: Selecting Parts of Images

Loading a Sample Image................................................................................................2-1
The Editing Tools................................................................................................................2-2
The Edit Marquee .............................................................................................................2-2
The Rectangular Marquee Tool.........................................................................2-2
The Elliptical Marquee Tool................................................................................2-3
Deselecting Objects.........................................................................................................2-4
The Lasso Tools...................................................................................................................2-5
The Lasso Tool.........................................................................................................2-5
The Polygon Lasso Tool........................................................................................2-6

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 Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

The Quick Selection Tool.................................................................................................2-8

Selecting the Cat....................................................................................................2-8
Adjusting the Selection ................................................................................... 2-10
Fine-Tuning the selection................................................................................ 2-11
Refining the Edges.............................................................................................. 2-12
Feathering the Selection.............................................................................................. 2-15
Adding the Image to a Background ....................................................................... 2-16
Resizing Images ............................................................................................................. 2-17
Saving the Document................................................................................................... 2-18
The Magic Wand Tool.................................................................................................... 2-19
The Quick Mask Tool...................................................................................................... 2-22
Step Backwards and Step Forwards......................................................................... 2-25
Photoshop Assignment 2.......................................................................2-26

Chapter 3: Modifying Images

Selecting the Correct Layer............................................................................................3-1
The Liquify Filter................................................................................................................3-1
The Hand Tool..........................................................................................................3-2
The Forward Warp Tool........................................................................................3-3
The Reconstruction Tool......................................................................................3-5
Twirling......................................................................................................................3-5
The Pucker Tool.......................................................................................................3-6
The Bloat Tool..........................................................................................................3-7
The Push Left Tool..................................................................................................3-8
The Mirror Tool........................................................................................................3-9
The Freeze Mask Tool............................................................................................3-9
Turbulence............................................................................................................. 3-10
Completing the Liquify Effect.................................................................................... 3-11
The Filter Gallery............................................................................................................. 3-12
Artistic and Brush Stroke Filters..................................................................... 3-12
Undoing an Effect............................................................................................... 3-13
Distort .................................................................................................................... 3-14
Sketch . ................................................................................................................... 3-15
Stylise ..................................................................................................................... 3-15
Texture ................................................................................................................... 3-16
Styles................................................................................................................................... 3-16
Photoshop Assignment 3.......................................................................3-18

C-2 © Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009

 Contents

Chapter 4: Drawing Shapes

Starting a Blank Document............................................................................................4-1
Drawing Normal Shapes.................................................................................................4-1
Drawing Rectangles..............................................................................................4-1
Rectangle Styles.....................................................................................................4-2
Creating Buttons....................................................................................................4-5
Creating a Rollover Button.................................................................................4-7
Removing Styles and Effects..............................................................................4-8
Custom Shapes...................................................................................................................4-9
Selecting a Shape...................................................................................................4-9
Other Custom Shapes....................................................................................... 4-11
The Freeform Pen Tool.................................................................................................. 4-12
Creating Custom Borders or Frames........................................................................ 4-13
Creating a Frame................................................................................................. 4-13
Adjusting the Frame.......................................................................................... 4-15
Adding a Picture to the Frame....................................................................... 4-15
Collapsing Layer Styles................................................................................................. 4-17
Photoshop Assignment 4.......................................................................4-18

Chapter 5: Adjusting Shapes

Starting a New Document..............................................................................................5-1
Creating a Combined Shape.........................................................................................5-1
Drawing a Rectangle.............................................................................................5-1
Cutting a Shape Out of the Rectangle............................................................5-2
Adding Shapes to Shapes...................................................................................5-3
Subtracting From the Shape..............................................................................5-4
Intersecting Shapes...............................................................................................5-4
Photoshop Exercise 5-1...................................................................................................5-5
Using Shapes With Photographs.................................................................................5-6
Loading the Image................................................................................................5-6
Magnifying the Cat’s Head ................................................................................5-6
Adding the Shapes................................................................................................5-7
Excluding Part of the Oval..................................................................................5-8
Adding to the Magnifying Glass.......................................................................5-9
Photoshop Assignment 5.......................................................................5-11

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 Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

Chapter 6: Adding Text to Designs

Starting a New Document..............................................................................................6-1
Entering Text.......................................................................................................................6-1
Altering Text........................................................................................................................6-2
Warping Text.......................................................................................................................6-3
Single Arced Text . .................................................................................................6-3
Multiple Arcs............................................................................................................6-6
Three-Dimensional Effects..................................................................................6-6
Text Orientation......................................................................................................6-7
Vertical Text.........................................................................................................................6-7
Adding Styles to Text........................................................................................................6-8
Typing Text Along a Path............................................................................................. 6-10
Moving Text on a Path.................................................................................................. 6-12
The Character and Paragraph Panels...................................................................... 6-13
Creating a Poster............................................................................................................. 6-14
Entering the Main Heading............................................................................. 6-14
Adjusting the Main Heading........................................................................... 6-16
Entering the Sub Headings............................................................................. 6-17
Looking at the Layers........................................................................................ 6-19
Printing............................................................................................................................... 6-19
Photoshop Assignment 6.......................................................................6-21

Chapter 7: Adjusting the Look of Images

Loading a Sample File......................................................................................................7-1
The Blur Tool........................................................................................................................7-1
The Sharpen Tool...............................................................................................................7-2
The Smudge Tool...............................................................................................................7-3
The Sponge Tool................................................................................................................7-4
The Burn Tool......................................................................................................................7-5
The Dodge Tool..................................................................................................................7-7
Gradient Fills........................................................................................................................7-9
The Gradient Settings...........................................................................................7-9
Applying the Gradient....................................................................................... 7-10
Removing Backgrounds............................................................................................... 7-12
Colour Adjustment......................................................................................................... 7-13
Brightness/Contrast Adjustment Layers..................................................... 7-14
Colour Balance Adjustment Layers............................................................... 7-16
The Red Eye Removal Tool........................................................................................... 7-18
Photoshop Assignment 7.......................................................................7-20

C-4 © Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009

 Contents

Chapter 8: Combining Photographs

Photomerging....................................................................................................................8-1
Selecting the Photographs.................................................................................8-1
Looking at the Photos..........................................................................................8-3
Adjusting the Alignment.....................................................................................8-4
Changing the Layout............................................................................................8-4
Cropping an Image...........................................................................................................8-5
Photoshop Assignment 8......................................................................... 8-7

Chapter 9: Creating Masks

Creating a Transparent Layer.........................................................................................9-1
Drawing the Mask Shape................................................................................................9-2
Adding a Background File..............................................................................................9-3
Adjusting the Mask...........................................................................................................9-5
Other Masks.........................................................................................................................9-5
Creating the Mask Shape....................................................................................9-5
Inserting a Photo....................................................................................................9-7
Creating the Mask..................................................................................................9-8
Enhancing the Mask..............................................................................................9-9
Using the Masks Panel.................................................................................................. 9-11
Opening the Image............................................................................................ 9-11
Creating the Mask............................................................................................... 9-11
Completing the Mask........................................................................................ 9-12
Photoshop Assignment 9.......................................................................9-15

Chapter 10: Creating 3D Shapes

Starting a New Document........................................................................................... 10-1
Creating Shapes.............................................................................................................. 10-1
Setting the Layer................................................................................................. 10-1
Converting the Layer to a 3D Shape............................................................ 10-2
Adding Text to 3D Shapes........................................................................................... 10-3
Adding Photos to 3D Shapes..................................................................................... 10-5

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 Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

Creating a 3D Shape...................................................................................................... 10-5

Setting the Background.................................................................................... 10-5
Creating the Layer............................................................................................... 10-7
Adding a Number to the Ball.......................................................................... 10-8
Distorting the Number...................................................................................... 10-9
Creating the Sphere.........................................................................................10-10
Adjusting the 3D Effect...................................................................................10-11
Resizing the Ball.................................................................................................10-12
Duplicating the Ball..........................................................................................10-13
Creating 3D Posters.....................................................................................................10-14
Adjusting the First Photo...............................................................................10-14
Adding a Bevel Effect.......................................................................................10-14
Adding Another Image...................................................................................10-15
Applying a 3D Effect........................................................................................10-16
Photoshop Assignment 10...................................................................10-17

Chapter 11: Saving Files

Saving a Copy of a File.................................................................................................. 11-1
Saving as a JPEG Format ............................................................................................. 11-2
Saving Images for the Web......................................................................................... 11-3
Saving for the Web............................................................................................. 11-3
JPEG or GIF Formats........................................................................................... 11-4
Setting the Size of the Photograph.............................................................. 11-4
Compression Settings....................................................................................... 11-5
Optimizing the File Size.................................................................................... 11-7
Previewing in a Browser................................................................................... 11-8
Saving...................................................................................................................... 11-9
Saving Layers.................................................................................................................11-10
Adding Some Text to the Image..................................................................11-10
Saving the Layers..............................................................................................11-11

Photoshop Project 1
Investigating the Problem........................................................................................... P1-1
Designing the Solution................................................................................................ P1-1
The Solution..................................................................................................................... P1-1
Evaluation.......................................................................................................................... P1-2

C-6 © Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009

 Contents

Module 2 Contents

Chapter 12: Patches and Healing Brushes

The Patch Tool.................................................................................................................. 12-1
Loading the Image............................................................................................. 12-1
Using the Patch Tool.......................................................................................... 12-2
The Healing Brush Tools............................................................................................... 12-3
The Spot Healing Brush Tool........................................................................... 12-3
The Healing Brush Tool..................................................................................... 12-5
Photoshop Assignment 12.....................................................................12-8

Chapter 13: Cloning Images

The Clone Stamp Tool................................................................................................... 13-1
Loading the Image............................................................................................. 13-1
The Clone Stamp Settings............................................................................... 13-2
Cloning................................................................................................................... 13-3
Unaligned Cloning............................................................................................. 13-6
Removing the Cat........................................................................................................... 13-7
Cropping Images............................................................................................................ 13-9
Photoshop Assignment 13...................................................................13-12

Chapter 14: Applying Filters

Loading the Sample Photo......................................................................................... 14-1
Selecting the Background . ........................................................................................ 14-1
Selecting the Car................................................................................................. 14-1
Refining the Edges.............................................................................................. 14-3
Inversing the Selection..................................................................................... 14-4
Applying a Gaussian Blur............................................................................................. 14-4
Motion Blurs..................................................................................................................... 14-5
Applying Filters on the Car.......................................................................................... 14-6
The Reduce Noise Filter.................................................................................... 14-7
Sharpen Filters..................................................................................................... 14-8
Smart Filters...................................................................................................................... 14-9
Turning Smart Filters On.................................................................................. 14-9
Applying a Lighting Effect Filter..................................................................14-10
Editing the Filter................................................................................................14-11
Photoshop Assignment 14...................................................................14-12

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 Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

Chapter 15: Adjustment Layers

Exposure layers................................................................................................................ 15-1
Loading the Sample Photo.............................................................................. 15-1
Inserting the Exposure Layer.......................................................................... 15-1
Displaying Part of the Background Layer................................................... 15-3
Adjusting the Exposure.................................................................................... 15-5
Levels Layers..................................................................................................................... 15-6
Loading the Sample Photo.............................................................................. 15-6
Inserting the Levels Layer................................................................................ 15-7
Applying Multiple Layers............................................................................................. 15-8
Loading the Sample Photo.............................................................................. 15-8
Inserting a Brightness/Contrast Layer......................................................... 15-9
Setting a Black & White Layer.......................................................................15-10
Colourizing the Face........................................................................................15-11
Inserting a Fill Layer.....................................................................................................15-12
Photoshop Assignment 15...................................................................15-14

Chapter 16: Advanced Layer Uses

Loading the Image......................................................................................................... 16-1
Blurring the Image......................................................................................................... 16-2
Adding a Mask to the Layer........................................................................................ 16-3
Sharpening the Important Features........................................................................ 16-4
Merging Layers................................................................................................................ 16-5
Creating a Duplicate Layer.......................................................................................... 16-5
Enhancing the Eyes and Teeth................................................................................... 16-6
Selecting the White Eye Area.......................................................................... 16-6
Enhancing the White Area............................................................................... 16-7
Enhancing the White in the Right Eye......................................................... 16-8
Whitening the Teeth.......................................................................................... 16-9
Merging the Layers...........................................................................................16-10
Setting the Eye Colour to Blue.....................................................................16-11
Highlighting the Pupils...................................................................................16-13
Setting the Eyes Behind the Eye Sockets..................................................16-14
Looking at the Original Face.....................................................................................16-16
Photoshop Assignment 16...................................................................16-17

C-8 © Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009

 Contents

Chapter 17: Working With Perspective

Straightening an Image............................................................................................... 17-1
Loading the Sample Photo.............................................................................. 17-1
Applying the Ruler Tool.................................................................................... 17-1
Lens Correction............................................................................................................... 17-3
Loading the Sample Photo.............................................................................. 17-3
Applying the Lens Correction Filter.............................................................. 17-4
Adjusting the Vertical Perspective................................................................ 17-5
Interesting Lens Correction Effects............................................................... 17-7
The Vanishing Point Filter............................................................................................ 17-9
Loading the Sample Photo.............................................................................. 17-9
Selecting the Source Plane............................................................................17-10
Selecting the Vanishing Point.......................................................................17-13
Cloning the Window........................................................................................17-14
Enhancing Shadows....................................................................................................17-15
Photoshop Assignment 17...................................................................17-17

Chapter 18: Colour Adjustments

Match Colour.................................................................................................................... 18-1
Loading the Sample Photo.............................................................................. 18-1
Using the Match Colour Dialogue Box........................................................ 18-2
The Vibrance Tool........................................................................................................... 18-3
Loading the Sample Photo.............................................................................. 18-3
Using the Vibrance Layer.................................................................................. 18-3
The Curves Tool............................................................................................................... 18-4
Loading the Sample Photo.............................................................................. 18-4
Inserting the Curves Layer............................................................................... 18-4
Setting Target Values......................................................................................... 18-7
Selecting the Colours in the Image.............................................................. 18-9
Accurately Selecting Colours........................................................................18-11
Photoshop Exercise 18-1...........................................................................................18-13
Photoshop Assignment 18...................................................................18-14

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 Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

Chapter 19: Applying Artistic Filters

Starting a New Document........................................................................................... 19-1
Setting the Background............................................................................................... 19-2
Creating the Ocean........................................................................................................ 19-3
Adding Perspective to the Ocean............................................................................. 19-5
Adding the Ship.............................................................................................................. 19-7
Resizing the Ship............................................................................................................ 19-7
Adding Some Land to the Sketch............................................................................. 19-8
Copying the Land................................................................................................ 19-8
Blurring the Image.............................................................................................. 19-9
Adjusting the Land...........................................................................................19-10
Creating the Port Hole................................................................................................19-11
Drawing the Port Hole.....................................................................................19-11
Adding 3-D Effects............................................................................................19-13
Adjusting the Port Hole..............................................................................................19-14
Photoshop Assignment 19...................................................................19-16

Chapter 20: Animations

Time Lapse Photography . .......................................................................................... 20-1
Loading the Sample Photo.............................................................................. 20-1
Creating the Layers............................................................................................. 20-1
Opening the Video Workspace....................................................................... 20-4
Tweening............................................................................................................... 20-7
Adjusting the Time Delay................................................................................. 20-9
Copying Frames.................................................................................................20-10
Saving as QuickTime Movie...........................................................................20-12
Creating Animated GIFs.............................................................................................20-14
Starting a New Document.............................................................................20-14
Entering the Text...............................................................................................20-14
Setting the Text as a Selection.....................................................................20-15
Creating the First Colour Layer.....................................................................20-15
Adding a Gradient Fill......................................................................................20-16
Creating the Second Colour Layer..............................................................20-18
Creating the Third Colour Layer...................................................................20-19
Creating the Fourth Colour Layer................................................................20-20
Animating the Logo.........................................................................................20-21
Saving....................................................................................................................20-23
Photoshop Exercise 20-1...........................................................................................20-25
Photoshop Assignment 20...................................................................20-26

C-10 © Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009

 Contents

Chapter 21: The History Panel and History Brush

Using the History Panel................................................................................................ 21-1
Loading the Sample Photo.............................................................................. 21-1
Altering the Photo.............................................................................................. 21-2
Looking at the History Panel........................................................................... 21-6
Returning to Previous States........................................................................... 21-6
Removing Individual States............................................................................ 21-7
Taking Snapshots................................................................................................ 21-9
Creating Documents at States......................................................................21-10
Adding New Steps to a Document.............................................................21-11
The History Brushes.....................................................................................................21-14
Photoshop Assignment 21...................................................................21-15

Chapter 22: Useful Tools

The Magnetic Lasso Tool.............................................................................................. 22-1
Loading the Sample Photo.............................................................................. 22-1
Selecting the Cat................................................................................................. 22-2
Adjusting the Selection.................................................................................... 22-4
Refining Edges..................................................................................................... 22-6
Removing the Background.............................................................................. 22-6
Replacing Colours.......................................................................................................... 22-7
The Replace Colour Dialogue Box................................................................. 22-7
The Colour Replacement Tool......................................................................22-11
Resizing an Image........................................................................................................22-12
Canvas Size.....................................................................................................................22-13
The Content Aware Scale Tool.................................................................................22-14
Photoshop Assignment 22...................................................................22-16

Photoshop Project 2
Investigation.................................................................................................................... P2-1
Planning............................................................................................................................. P2-1
Solution.............................................................................................................................. P2-1
Evaluation.......................................................................................................................... P2-1
Data..................................................................................................................................... P2-2

© Guided Computer Tutorials 2009 C-11

 Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

Module 3 Contents

Chapter 23: Creating Reflections

Loading the Sample Image......................................................................................... 23-1
Creating the Background............................................................................................ 23-2
Creating the Background Layer..................................................................... 23-2
Setting a Gradient Fill........................................................................................ 23-2
Setting the Reflection................................................................................................... 23-4
Duplicating the Cards Layer............................................................................ 23-4
Flipping the Cards............................................................................................... 23-4
Applying the Reflection Gradient................................................................. 23-6
Adding a Table..................................................................................................... 23-8
Photoshop Assignment 23...................................................................23-10

Chapter 24: Creating 3D Styles

Starting a New Document........................................................................................... 24-1
Drawing the Custom Shape........................................................................................ 24-2
Selecting the Colour...................................................................................................... 24-3
Filling the Object............................................................................................................ 24-4
Creating the 3D Styles.................................................................................................. 24-5
Opening the Blending Options...................................................................... 24-5
Setting the Drop Shadow Style...................................................................... 24-6
Setting the Inner Shadow Style..................................................................... 24-7
Setting the Outer Glow Style.......................................................................... 24-8
Setting the Inner Glow Style........................................................................... 24-9
Setting the Bevel and Emboss Style...........................................................24-10
Saving the Style.............................................................................................................24-13
Applying the Style........................................................................................................24-13
Applying the Style to Objects.......................................................................24-13
Applying the Style to Text..............................................................................24-15
Scale Effects........................................................................................................24-16
Photoshop Assignment 24...................................................................24-16

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 Contents

Chapter 25: Graffiti on a Brick Wall

Starting a New Document........................................................................................... 25-1
Creating the Brick Wall.................................................................................................. 25-2
Setting the Gradient Colours.......................................................................... 25-2
Adding the Brick Texture.................................................................................. 25-4
Selecting the Lighting....................................................................................... 25-4
Fading the Lighting Effects.............................................................................. 25-5
Adding the Graffiti......................................................................................................... 25-6
Entering the Text................................................................................................. 25-6
Liquifying the Text.............................................................................................. 25-8
Adding Some Effects to the Text................................................................... 25-9
Photoshop Assignment 25...................................................................25-12

Chapter 26: Graffiti on a Building

Starting a New Document........................................................................................... 26-1
Entering Some Text........................................................................................................ 26-2
Warping the Text............................................................................................................. 26-3
Loading the Photograph............................................................................................. 26-3
Inserting the Warped Text........................................................................................... 26-4
Setting the Vanishing Point........................................................................................ 26-5
Starting a New layer........................................................................................... 26-5
Copying the Text................................................................................................. 26-6
Setting the Vanishing Point Text.................................................................... 26-7
Adjusting the Text............................................................................................... 26-8
Adding Some 3D Effects................................................................................... 26-9
Setting the Text Behind Objects.............................................................................26-11
Selecting the Area.............................................................................................26-11
Selecting a Channel.........................................................................................26-13
Selecting Just the Snow and Branches.....................................................26-15
Placing the Selection in a Layer...................................................................26-17
Completing the Selection..............................................................................26-18
Photoshop Assignment 26...................................................................26-20

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 Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

Chapter 27: Creating Balls and Spheres

Starting a New Document........................................................................................... 27-1
Filling the Layer............................................................................................................... 27-2
Creating the Lighting and Reflection Effects........................................................ 27-2
Completing the Effect................................................................................................... 27-3
Copying the Effect.......................................................................................................... 27-5
Starting a New Document........................................................................................... 27-6
Changing the Ball Colour............................................................................................. 27-7
Adding a Shadow........................................................................................................... 27-8
Adding a Background.................................................................................................27-10
Linking Layers................................................................................................................27-11
Copying the Ball............................................................................................................27-12
Photoshop Assignment 27...................................................................27-16

Chapter 28: Creating Accurate Shapes

Starting a New Document........................................................................................... 28-1
Setting the Ruler and Grid Units............................................................................... 28-2
Turning on the Rulers and Grid................................................................................. 28-3
Setting Guide Lines........................................................................................................ 28-3
Creating the Front of the Box..................................................................................... 28-5
Setting a Green Rectangle............................................................................... 28-5
Adding Highlights to the Front...................................................................... 28-7
Copying the Highlight....................................................................................... 28-8
Creating the Side of the Box....................................................................................... 28-9
Adding an Image to the Front.................................................................................28-10
Adding the Text.............................................................................................................28-11
Inserting the Front Text...................................................................................28-11
Creating the Side Text.....................................................................................28-13
Saving a Copy of the File............................................................................................28-14
Merging the Layers......................................................................................................28-14
Creating the Three Dimensional Effect.................................................................28-16
Adjusting the Front Rectangle.....................................................................28-16
Adjusting the Side Rectangle.......................................................................28-16
Checking the Box..........................................................................................................28-18
Extension Activity.........................................................................................................28-19
Photoshop Assignment 28...................................................................28-20

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 Contents

Chapter 29: Creative Text Effects

Starting a New Document........................................................................................... 29-1
Entering the Text............................................................................................................. 29-2
Adding a Three Dimensional Effect......................................................................... 29-3
Adding a Drop Shadow..................................................................................... 29-3
Adding a Bevel..................................................................................................... 29-4
Creating a Reflection..................................................................................................... 29-4
Copying the Text Layer...................................................................................... 29-4
Transforming the Reflection........................................................................... 29-5
Adding a Gradient Overlay.............................................................................. 29-7
Adding a Blur........................................................................................................ 29-8
Adding Some Lighting Effects................................................................................... 29-9
Photoshop Assignment 29...................................................................29-12

Chapter 30: Displacing Images

Loading the Images....................................................................................................... 30-1
The Flag Image..................................................................................................... 30-1
The Curved Image.............................................................................................. 30-2
Removing Colour From the Curved Image........................................................... 30-3
Displacing the Flag Image........................................................................................... 30-3
Improving the Displacement..................................................................................... 30-5
Displaying the Flag Image........................................................................................... 30-6
Adjusting the Flag Colour............................................................................................ 30-7
Cropping the Image...................................................................................................... 30-7
Photoshop Assignment 30.....................................................................30-9

Chapter 31: Using Blurs in Animations

Creating the Layers........................................................................................................ 31-1
Loading the Background Layer...................................................................... 31-1
Adding the Car Layer......................................................................................... 31-2
Adding the Text Layer........................................................................................ 31-3
Creating the Blur Layers............................................................................................... 31-4
Blurring the Text.................................................................................................. 31-4
Blurring the Car.................................................................................................... 31-5
Blurring the Background.................................................................................. 31-6
Saving the Document................................................................................................... 31-7

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 Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

Creating the Animation................................................................................................ 31-7

Setting the Keyframes....................................................................................... 31-7
Setting the Timing............................................................................................31-10
Setting the Tween Frames.............................................................................31-10
Exporting to a QuickTime File..................................................................................31-13
Extension Activity.........................................................................................................31-13
Photoshop Assignment 31...................................................................31-14

Chapter 32: Timeline Animations

Creating Bouncing Icons.............................................................................................. 32-1
Loading the Prepared file................................................................................. 32-1
Opening the Animation Panel........................................................................ 32-2
Setting the Animation Duration.................................................................... 32-3
Animating the Green Ball................................................................................. 32-3
Saving the Animation........................................................................................ 32-6
Photoshop Exercise 32...................................................................................... 32-7
Animating Masks............................................................................................................ 32-7
Loading the Prepared Image.......................................................................... 32-7
Creating the Mask............................................................................................... 32-8
Inversing the Exposure..................................................................................... 32-9
Animating the Mask.........................................................................................32-10
Photoshop Assignment 32...................................................................32-14

Chapter 21: Animating 3D Objects

Starting a New Document........................................................................................... 33-1
Creating the Planet........................................................................................................ 33-1
Animating the Sphere................................................................................................... 33-3
Setting the Animation Start Position........................................................... 33-3
Setting the Animation End Position............................................................. 33-5
Creating the Background................................................................................. 33-6
Photoshop Assignment 33.....................................................................33-8

C-16 © Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009

 Chapter

1
Introduction to Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is an advanced photo editing and graphics program that allows you to
create and edit photo quality images. In this Chapter you will be introduced to its screen
and some of its basic features, such as Layers. Layers are the building blocks of using
Photoshop and you need to develop an understanding of how to use them in order to
use Photoshop effectively.

Loading Photoshop
1 Load Photoshop CS4 and you will receive the Photoshop screen.
2 Display the FILE menu and select NEW. You will be asked to enter the required
settings for the page.

3 Enter the page name: Intro

Set the HEIGHT to 16 cm, the
WIDTH to 12 cn, the BACKGROUND
CONTENTS to WHITE and select OK.

4 A blank page should be created. The diagram at the top of the next page labels its
sections.

© Guided Computer Tutorials 2009 1-1

Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

Options Bar Menu Bar Application Bar

Tools Document Window Panel Group

Panel or Canvas Area

Zoom
Value

The Tools Panel

The TOOLS panel at the left of the screen provides general drawing and photo
adjustment tools. The panel can be displayed as a single column or with the tools in two
columns.

1 Click on the GREY BAR at the top of

the TOOLS panel and panel will be
adjusted.

2 In these tutorials the TOOLS panel will used as 2 columns, so click on the GREY BAR
until the tools are displayed in 2 columns.

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3 Tools that have a small arrow next to them have more tools within them.

4 Click and hold on the LASSO tool

the three lasso tool types will be
displayed.

5 Click and hold on some of the other tools to see what extra tools they contain.
6 The letter displayed next to a tool when you click and hold on it is the keyboard
shortcut to select that tool. Try pressing some letters and the tool corresponding
to that letter should be selected.
7 Hold down the SHIFT key and press a letter. The tools within that tool group will be
toggled.

Using the Tools

We will have a quick look at some of Photoshop’s basic drawing tools. You may need to
click and hold on a tool to select it, depending on who has used to program before you.

1 Select the BRUSH TOOL and try

drawing some brush strokes on the
canvas.

NOTE: You can use the ZOOM BOX at the bottom left of the screen to
increase the screen view if you wish.

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Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

2 Select the SHAPES tool and drag a

shape on the canvas.

3 Click and hold on the SHAPES TOOL,

select the CUSTOM SHAPE TOOL and
drag a shape on the screen.

NOTE: Your shape will probably be different to the one displayed.

The SHAPE box in the OPTIONS BAR at the top of the screen
can be used to select different shapes.

4 Select the PENCIL TOOL from the

BRUSH TOOL in the TOOLS panel and
click on the canvas.

5 Sometimes the program will ask you

to rasterise or simplify a layer when a
tool is to be used. Click on OK in this
case.

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6 Drag some pencil lines on the canvas.

You can select a BRUSH SIZE from the
OPTIONS BAR.

The Panel Group

At the right of the screen are a series of panels that contain many of Photoshop’s
operating tools and features. Some of these panels are open, some behind the opened
panels and some are collapsed. You simply open the required panel when you need to
use a tool by clicking on its tab or its icon. You can also add or remove panels from the
group.

1 Click on the SWATCHES panel tab to

bring it to the front of its group. You
can select colours from this panel.

NOTE: i If the SWATCHES panel is not in the PANEL GROUP you can
display the WINDOW menu and select SWATCHES to open it.
ii If your screen is totally different to the one in the diagram,
set the box at the right of the APPLICATION BAR to the
ESSENTIALS workspace.

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Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

2 Click on the GREY BAR at the top of

the PANEL GROUP to collapse the
PANEL GROUP to icons.

3 Click on the LAYERS panel to expand

it.

4 Look at some of the other panels in the PANEL GROUP.

NOTE: If you wish to expand the whole PANEL GROUP, click on

the grey bar at the top of the PANEL GROUP. It is personal
preference whether you have the PANEL GROUP expanded or
collapsed to icons.

5 Display the FILE menu and select CLOSE to close the document. There is no need
to save it.

Layers
Layers are the building blocks of a Photoshop document so it is important that you
develop an understanding of them. Think of layers as transparent or filled sheets that
can be placed on top of one another. They allow you break a drawing up into small
blocks that can be worked on individually. To illustrate the use of LAYERS, a document
with a few layers will be opened from the PScs4 SUPPORT FILES.

A Loading a Sample File

A simple poster for a travel agency has been prepared for you. It has a layer containing
a photograph and another two layers containing text.
1 Display the FILE menu and select OPEN.

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2 Access the PScs4 SUPPORT FILES, open the CHAPTER 1 folder and open the POSTER
file.

B Looking at the Layers

1 Display the VIEW menu and select FIT ON SCREEN to fit the file to the canvas.

2 Click on the LAYERS panel in the

PANEL GROUP and the three layers
should be displayed. You can drag
the bottom panel border down to
increase the height of the panel.

NOTE: If the LAYER panel is not in the PANEL GROUP, set the box at the
right of the APPLICATION BAR to the ESSENTIALS workspace,
collapse the PANEL GROUP and click on the LAYERS panel.

3 Select the MOVE TOOL from the

TOOLS panel (the top right tool).

4 Select the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS

layer in the LAYERS panel and try
moving the text at the top left of the
poster.

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Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

5 Try moving the text at the right of the poster. You should not be able to do so
because its layer has not been selected.

6 Click on the LONDON, PARIS, ROME....

layer in the LAYERS panel and you
should be able to move the text.

C Layer Visibility
Layers can be turned off at any time and when this happens their contents are not seen
in the document.

1 Click on the EYE symbol next to the

LONDON, PARIS, ROME... layer and its
contents will not be visible.

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2 Click on the VISIBILITY frame of the

LONDON, PARIS, ROME... layer again
to turn the layer back on.

NOTE: When a layer is visible there is an eye marker in its VISIBILITY

box.

D Locking Layers
Layers can be locked so that you don’t accidentally make changes to them.

The four buttons at the top of the

LAYERS panel allow you to lock layers:
LOCK TRANSPARENT PIXELS locks
only the transparent background.
LOCK IMAGE locks just an image.
LOCK POSITION prevents an object
from being moved.
LOCK ALL locks everything in the layer.

1 Let’s lock the BACKGROUND layer so that it cannot be adjusted.

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Learning Adobe Photoshop CS4

2 Click on the BACKGROUND layer

then click on the LOCK ALL icon.

3 A LOCK symbol is added to the layer

to indicate that it is locked.

4 Select the MOVE TOOL from the TOOLS panel and try to move the background. You
should not be able to do so.
5 Select OK if a message dialogue box appears.

E Naming Layers
It is good practice to name layers so that you know what their contents are. Let’s rename
the BACKGROUND layer.

1 Double click on the BACKGROUND

label in the LAYERS panel to
highlight the label.

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2 Enter the label:

Image
then press <enter> or <return> and
the layer will be renamed.

F Deleting Layers
Layers can be deleted when they are no longer needed. Let’s delete one of the text
layers.

1 Click on the EUROPEAN

DESTINATIONS layer in the LAYERS
panel.

2 Click on the DELETE LAYER icon

at the base of the LAYERS panel
followed by YES to the information
dialogue box.

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3 The layer is removed from the

LAYERS panel and its contents
removed from the document.

4 Display the EDIT menu and select UNDO DELETE LAYER to return the layer and its
contents to the document.

NOTE: You can also press CTRL+Z or COMMAND+Z to UNDO the

previous step.

G Adding a New Layer

Layers can be added as required using the CREATE A NEW LAYER icon. When new layers
are added they are inserted above the selected layer in the LAYERS panel.

1 Select the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS

layer in the LAYERS panel and click
on the CREATE A NEW LAYER icon at
the base of the panel.

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2 The new layer is added above the

EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS layer.

3 Double click on the LAYER 1 label,

enter the name:
Highlight
and press <enter> or <return>.

4 Select the BRUSH TOOL from the

TOOLS panel and paint a line under
the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS text.

5 The contents are stored in the

HIGHLIGHT layer.

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H The Layer Order

The order of the layers in the LAYERS panel is very important. The image is at the back of
the drawing so it is the last (or bottom layer). If the image was at the top of the LAYERS
panel you would not be able to see any of the other objects. You can easily alter the
order of layers. It is called changing the LAYER STACKING ORDER.

1 Click on the IMAGE layer then drag

it to the top of the LONDON, PARIS,
ROME.... layer.

2 When you release the mouse button

the contents of the other layers
cannot be seen as the IMAGE layer is
on top of them.

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I Layer Opacity
The OPACITY of a layer is how transparent it is. The default layer OPACITY is 100% (no
transparency) so the contents of the other layers cannot be seen through it. When you
reduce the OPACITY of a layer you start to see the contents of other layers through it.
Let’s reduce the OPACITY of the IMAGE layer so that the other layers can be seen.

1 Unlock the IMAGE layer by clicking

on the LOCK ALL icon at the top of
the LAYERS panel.

2 Click on the arrow next to the

OPACITY box and drag the slider to
about 80%.

3 Part of the contents of the other

layers are now visible through the
IMAGE layer.

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4 Drag the IMAGE layer to the bottom

of the layers in the LAYERS panel.
The content of the other layers can
now be fully seen, but the IMAGE
layer is still at 80% opacity.

5 Click on the LAYER panel label to collapse the panel.

NOTE: You will use many more layer features as you progress through
these tutorials. For example, you can duplicate layers, add
masks to layers, insert different types of layers and so on.

Screen Views
You can zoom in or out of a document when more detailed work is required.
1 Display the VIEW menu and select ZOOM IN.

2 The screen in magnified.

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3 There are keyboard shortcuts to zoom in and out. On the Windows system hold
down the CTRL key and press + to zoom in and - to zoom out. On the Macintosh
system the COMMAND key is held down.

4 Press CTRL+ or COMMAND+ twice to

zoom in two more levels.

5 Press CTRL- or COMMAND- three

times to zoom back out.

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6 Press CTRL+0 or COMMAND+0 to set

the view to FIT ON SCREEN.

NOTE: FIT ON SCREEN sets the view to a level so that the canvas fills
the available screen area.

The Zoom Tool

The ZOOM TOOL allows you to select a section of the image to zoom in on. The
ZOOM TOOL is in the APPLICATION BAR at the top of the screen. On small screens the
APPLICATION BAR is above the MENU BAR, on wide screens it is to the right of the MENU
BAR.

1 Select the ZOOM TOOL from the

APPLICATION BAR and drag a frame
around Big Ben’s clocks.

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2 When you release the mouse button

the screen is zoomed in on the
clocks.

NOTE: When you select the ZOOM TOOL, buttons are added to the
OPTIONS BAR that allow you to select ACTUAL PIXELS, FIT
SCREEN, FILL SCREEN and PRINT SIZE. You might like to try
each of these buttons.

The Hand Tool

The HAND TOOL allows you to scroll around a zoomed screen.
1 Zoom in on the image if your screen is not zoomed.

2 Select the HAND TOOL from the

APPLICATION BAR and drag the
screen to bring different parts of the
document into view.

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Photoshop Workspaces
Photoshop provides a variety of workspace arrangements to suit the type of project
being created.
1 Press CTRL+0 or COMMAND+0 to set the view to FIT ON SCREEN.

2 Click on the arrow next to the box

at the right of the APPLICATION BAR
and select PAINTING.

3 The arrangement of the panels is changed to suit a painting project.

4 Try changing the workspace to

VIDEO and the panels are adjusted
to suit animation project.

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5 Return the workspace to the

ESSENTIALS screen.

6 Set the TOOLS panel to 2 columns and collapse the PANEL GROUP if you prefer to
use the panels that way.

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Photoshop Assignment 1
Your task for this Assignment is to create a simple sketch using some of the drawing tools
from the TOOLS panel. Try to use LAYERS to break the sketch into sections.
If you cannot think of anything to draw, the following sketch of a racing car could be
attempted with separate layers for the car body, wheels and driver.

Ask your teacher to check your completed sketch.

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