If you're new to Photoshop do this first:
Go to the top menu and go:
WINDOW >> WORKSPACE >> RESET ESSENTIAL
This should set-up your default workspace (Note: if you're not using Adobe Photoshop CS5 the instructions should be similar).
When to SAVE AS *.JPEG or *.PSD ??? in Photoshop
When an image needs many hours of work, we are likely to open it, work some, save it, open it, work some, save it, etc. which brings about a substantial amount of saves. Each successive save means that a JPEG image is compressed a little more each time resulting in a loss of quality. Using Photoshop we'll assume you are after the highest possible quality levels.
So . . .
While an image is still being worked on we will use PSD to save the image.
When an image is considered to be final or finished, we'll use jpeg.
There are many other image formats around, each with a specific purpose and we'll get round to them eventually for specific applications.
The TIFF image format is also quite popular when saving an image in-between working sessions as it is also a lossless image format, but for now we'll stick to PSD's to simplify instruction.
next lesson >> 104 - Lay of the Land - Photoshop Workspace
So . . .
While an image is still being worked on we will use PSD to save the image.
When an image is considered to be final or finished, we'll use jpeg.
There are many other image formats around, each with a specific purpose and we'll get round to them eventually for specific applications.
The TIFF image format is also quite popular when saving an image in-between working sessions as it is also a lossless image format, but for now we'll stick to PSD's to simplify instruction.
next lesson >> 104 - Lay of the Land - Photoshop Workspace
Saving a File in Photoshop
Before we save any files: a little something about file formats.
This subject can cover a whole university course. For now we'll keep it simple and stick to Jpeg's and PSD's
Jpeg:
Jpeg's are by far the most common type of image file. Your PC, phone, camera, DVD player and 99.9999% of all image viewing software, hardware, print shops etc. knows how to read and display this kind of image.
The format is a form of lossy compression (each time an image is saved, some of the quality is lost). Fortunately, for all intents and purposes the quality loss, if done properly, is almost imperceptible by us normal human beings.
We'll be using Jpeg almost exclusively throughout this course, at least in the basic section.
PSD's:
PSD is Adobe Photoshop's proprietary file format. Saving an image as a PSD will not degrade image quality. This format can also include different layers which is where Photoshop's real magic comes in.
On to saving Jpeg's:
With your image open in Photoshop, go FILE >> SAVE AS.
SAVE IN: In the dialog box, navigate to where you want to save the image.
FILE NAME: Change the FILE NAME if you need to.
FORMAT: In the drop down menu, choose "JPEG(*.JPG;*.JPEG;*.JPE)".
SAVE: Leave all check-boxes blank.
COLOR: ICC Profile: sRGB IEC61966-2.1 (your version might be older or newer than mine)
Hit the SAVE button, move the slider in the "Image Options" box all the way to the right.
For now, ignore all the other settings in this dialog-box, hit the OK button and you're all done.
Saving PSD's:
With your image open in Photoshop, go FILE >> SAVE AS.
SAVE IN: In the dialog box, navigate to where you want to save the image.
FILE NAME: Change the FILE NAME if you need to.
FORMAT: In the drop down menu, choose "Photoshop(*.PSD;*.PDD)".
SAVE: The needed check-boxes will be checked already, but normally all blank except for LAYERS if you have any.
COLOR: ICC Profile: sRGB IEC61966-2.1 (your version might be older or newer than mine)
Hit the SAVE button.
Depending on your version of Photoshop, there might be another pop-up dialog, asking if you want to MAXIMIZE COMPATABILITY. Best practise would be to confirm Maximize Compatibility.
next lesson >> 103 - Choosing Between PSD and JPEG
This subject can cover a whole university course. For now we'll keep it simple and stick to Jpeg's and PSD's
Jpeg:
Jpeg's are by far the most common type of image file. Your PC, phone, camera, DVD player and 99.9999% of all image viewing software, hardware, print shops etc. knows how to read and display this kind of image.
The format is a form of lossy compression (each time an image is saved, some of the quality is lost). Fortunately, for all intents and purposes the quality loss, if done properly, is almost imperceptible by us normal human beings.
We'll be using Jpeg almost exclusively throughout this course, at least in the basic section.
PSD's:
PSD is Adobe Photoshop's proprietary file format. Saving an image as a PSD will not degrade image quality. This format can also include different layers which is where Photoshop's real magic comes in.
On to saving Jpeg's:
With your image open in Photoshop, go FILE >> SAVE AS.
SAVE IN: In the dialog box, navigate to where you want to save the image.
FILE NAME: Change the FILE NAME if you need to.
FORMAT: In the drop down menu, choose "JPEG(*.JPG;*.JPEG;*.JPE)".
SAVE: Leave all check-boxes blank.
COLOR: ICC Profile: sRGB IEC61966-2.1 (your version might be older or newer than mine)
Hit the SAVE button, move the slider in the "Image Options" box all the way to the right.
For now, ignore all the other settings in this dialog-box, hit the OK button and you're all done.
Saving PSD's:
With your image open in Photoshop, go FILE >> SAVE AS.
SAVE IN: In the dialog box, navigate to where you want to save the image.
FILE NAME: Change the FILE NAME if you need to.
FORMAT: In the drop down menu, choose "Photoshop(*.PSD;*.PDD)".
SAVE: The needed check-boxes will be checked already, but normally all blank except for LAYERS if you have any.
COLOR: ICC Profile: sRGB IEC61966-2.1 (your version might be older or newer than mine)
Hit the SAVE button.
Depending on your version of Photoshop, there might be another pop-up dialog, asking if you want to MAXIMIZE COMPATABILITY. Best practise would be to confirm Maximize Compatibility.
next lesson >> 103 - Choosing Between PSD and JPEG
Opening a File in Photoshop
Meet my Vagebond.
He'll be used as an example throughout many of the tutorials and is available HERE for download (right click > save image as) if you would like to use him as a sample.
Back to Business . . .
There are many ways to open images in PS (short for Photoshop from here on). All of them pretty simple and equally fast depending on what your desktop looks like at any one stage.
1. File Menu
From the pop-up dialog box that appears navigate to where your image is stored and either double click on it or select and click the "Open" button (bottom right).
2. Drag and Drop in Explorer
With PS open and MINIMISED, locate the image in Windows Explorer. Click and hold the Image File, drag it down to PhotoShop tab on the TASKBAR, hover over the Photoshop tab until it restores PS as the active window and release the image anywhere on the background of the PS window. !!Note: If you drop the image onto an image tht is already open, it will overlay as a new layer on the opened image.
3. From Windows Explorer Directly
Navigate towards your image in Windows Explorer. Right Click >> Open With . . . >> Adobe Photoshop CS#
next lesson >> 102 - Saving an Image in Photoshop
Pre-Requisite
Photoshop is an intimidating piece of software, but requires no special skills to operate. This course is intended to walk you through the most basic to the most complex operations in easy to understand steps.
Photoshop CS5 (Current Version 2011) is expensive @ $850 / £520 / €580 / ZAR 5700.
An alternative is The Gimp which is an excellent, open source alternative and works in roughly the same manner.
At a minimum you should be able to navigate through the folders on your computer comfortably.
next lesson >> 101 - Opening a File in Photoshop
Photoshop CS5 (Current Version 2011) is expensive @ $850 / £520 / €580 / ZAR 5700.
An alternative is The Gimp which is an excellent, open source alternative and works in roughly the same manner.
At a minimum you should be able to navigate through the folders on your computer comfortably.
next lesson >> 101 - Opening a File in Photoshop