Quite often, PC users tend to learn new programs in order to be able to design images to their taste and even earn income. One of the most complex and powerful graphics tools is Adobe Photoshop. How to use, where to start - all this will be described below.
Interface, tools and menus
First you need to run the installed program. It is recommended for a beginner to go through the menu (horizontal top), to study the tools located on the left. To find out what the icon is and what it is responsible for, you need to move the cursor. A tooltip should appear. If you click on the tool with the left mouse button, for example, "Fill", then it will be active. At the same time, settings will appear under the horizontal menu at the top of the screen. Experienced users almost always set the desired tool parameters.
You should pay attention to the triangle in the lower right corner of some tools. If you click the right button on the mouse, additional options will open.
And now you should talk about the menu in Adobe Photoshop, how to use it when working with photos and drawings. First you need to go to the "File" menu to open an existing image for editing, or create a new document. In the same menu is the function of saving the work done.
The remaining items located after the “File” and before the “Help” relate directly to the work on the image.
First steps in work
It is worth starting the study of the program with the help of an existing photograph. To do this, go to the "File" menu, click "Open" and find the desired picture. When it is added, you can get started.
A small tabbed window will appear to the right of the image. When working, you almost always need exactly the “Layers” tab, since all actions on the image occur on it.
At this point, every beginner asks himself the question:
- how to use Photoshop (Adobe Photoshop);
- Why can’t I work with a picture?
- Is it possible to correct errors if they appeared in the process of work.
You should immediately answer the second question: by default, the open image is locked, that is, it has a background mode. To turn it into a layer (that is, unlock it), double-click on the image and the inscription "Background" in the "Layers" tab in the window on the right. Now you can work.
Why are layers needed?
To understand how to use Adobe Photoshop, you should understand the layers. The fact is that they can serve both as a backup image (“create a duplicate layer”) in case of unsuccessful actions with the photo, and as an area for applying new effects. For example, you need to make an inscription to a wedding photo and an image of translucent pigeons, hearts. In this case, you need to create a new layer above the main photo and activate it. Then you can either insert a new image with pigeons, or draw using the Brush and Pencil tools located on the left of the toolbar.
Layers can be made transparent and translucent. To explain their meaning, you should submit a real photograph lying on the table. Next, a translucent or transparent print paper is superimposed on it. Thus, the main photo is Layer 1, and transparent paper with a picture is Layer 2.
Effects and colors
Work with color and effects should be carried out using the horizontal menu or in the right window (tab "Layers" and "Properties"). It should be noted that for a beginner, there is no difference in how to use Adobe Photoshop CS6 or other versions. Almost any generation of Photoshop is suitable for studying the program. The same applies to color modes, filter galleries, image actions (for example, mirroring, rotation, movement).
Is Adobe Photoshop complicated?
Newcomers often ask: is it difficult to master the program? It is definitely impossible to answer. You need to understand why a person needs this tool. Suppose you often need to make light adjustments, for example:
- crop
- Mirror
- make an inscription
- discolor.
In this case, it’s enough to understand how to use Adobe Photoshop. But if there is a desire to become a professional, to learn how to make fabulous pictures from ordinary photographs, then it will take perseverance, a lot of time to train up to the study of color theory.
Often there are nuances in the forums when watching training videos, where participants ask how to use Adobe Photoshop CC, how does it differ from SC6. Let no one be embarrassed by the last two characters, meaning the version of Photoshop. For the application of simple operations with pictures in both versions there are all the necessary tools, they are located in the same places.