Before you get cracking on with Photoshop Tutorials…

I’ve recently entered the world of Photoshop and believe me if you’re from the world of Paint Shop Pro it’s very dark and very scary. Some full-time designers will snigger at my ineptitude with Photoshop CS3 but that’s because they’ve been using it for so long that all of these things have become second nature to them. So how to get started? Well, there’s PSDTuts which is great, but any simple task such as drawing a circle is a complicated set of steps in Photoshop. There are some great YouTube clips on how to use individual tools for example the Pen tool. The tutorials, however, require a combination of tools to create anything of any use. So how did I get started? Well with a carrier bag of Australia’s finest lager I visited my sister or more accurately Gary her designer boyfriend. I learned more in 2 hours with Gary than in 2 weeks of trundling through the web. I’m sharing with you these starter tips so hopefully, you won’t have to go through the pain I went through.

General Pointers

• Get the History panel up (Window->History) before you start it will save you hours
• For everything you do create a new layer (label each layer)
• Apple D is a great shortcut to un-selecting everything
• Select -> Inverse when something is selected means you can apply fills to everything bar the selected section
• Image -> Canvas Size To alter after the initial new File setup
• Double click the magnifier glass for instant 100%
• Tab to remove all window tools
• Tap F to view the project fullscreen

1. Pen Tool

Ok, I can draw a sequence of points together but when I try to curve them they seem to curve in the wrong direction and affect other nodes?!?!

Solution

The key here is holding shift while adding your point. So even before the nodes have been connected you can create your curve as you need it. Hold alt and click the node after you are happy with it, and this will lock it from any further curvation.

2. Path or Shape?!?!

I’ve drawn the shape I want but if I select “shape” from the top menu I can add a fill but no stroke. If I add a path I can’t seem to do anything?!?

Solution

Deep breath, put the rage to bed. Choose Paths from the top menu and not ‘shape’. In the bottom right click the paths tab, and double click the ‘working path’. In the dialog box give it a name that makes sense. Hold the Apple Key and click on the saved path (still in the path dialog). Your shape should now be selected which can be affirmed by the flashing dotted line following the path. Now it is selected you can add your fill and stroke which we get to now

3. Gradient Tool

I’ve drawn and selected my path and want to add a gradient. I’ve selected the gradient tool but when I click on the selection nothing happens.

Solution

You’re going to kick yourself! The Gradients tool is a very advanced tool so unlike my previous experience of using similar tools a simple click is not enough. The PS tool means you need to click and drag to denote the direction of the gradient. By holding down control while dragging you can be sure the gradient will be straight.

4. Stroke

The stroke seems to be hidden in the Menu is there an easier way to apply one

Solution

Ok, so not really an issue and the question was quite leading but hell ho. With the layer, you want to work on selected you may notice an FX button at the bottom of the layer section. Click this and the whole magic of PS comes into its own. Sure there’s our stroke option but there’s so much more than that. The best thing to do now is to have a play with it and hopefully, I’ve removed some of the initial frustrations that I myself have suffered.

5. Ruler

Nothing seems to be lined up and snap to doesn’t put things where I want.

Solution

Apple R for Ruler. Click and drag the ruler down for more accurate adjustments. To remove the ruler, click the main selector, select the rule and drag back to the top ruler bar.

If this has been of any use to you please forward your tins of Lager to me and I promise to forward them on to Gary…I promise.