Creating Multicolor Gradients

If you want to create a cool multicolor gradient
without much time spent, follow these steps.

Create a high quality grayscale image. Use the gradient tool from darker to lighter (or vice versa) — either linear or radial. After applying the gradient, change color mode to Indexed color (select it from the Mode menu) — but not less than 8-bit. Then select any color table you want by choosing ColorTable option in the Mode menu. Good results can be achieved by choosing always-present-in-Photoshop Black Body (instant German flag gradient) or Spectrum color (instant lame effect) tables.

Powerful Layering Tools

So ... now I have you adjusting the values almost every time you apply an effect. How on earth can you keep consistency across your image? That's easy! Photoshop offers the option to copy your effects from layer to layer.

When you have added effects to a layer, a symbol appears on your layer as shown at the left, highlighted with a yellow circle. Double clicking on this symbol opens the Effects window. Right clicking (Command click) will bring a valuable new menu to your fingertips. We will use this menu to provide consistency and speed to your work. Note: You can reach the same menu by choosing Layer>Effects in the main menu.

When you have the effects on one layer perfected, you can copy the effects to move to another layer. Simply open the effects editing drop-down as explained above, and choose Copy Effects. Activate the layer you would like to have the same effects applied to, open the drop-down menu and choose Paste effects. Yup, that's it. As long as you do not copy effects again, that setting will stay on the clipboard waiting for you to apply it to layer after layer. You can also paste the effect into a layer in a separate document.

Now for real power, what if you could apply an effect across linked layers? You can! Create your linked layers as described a few days ago in linking and merging. Activate the layer that others are linked to, open the effects drop-down menu and choose Paste Effects to Linked. That's it - you could apply an effect to 25 layers (or many more) at once as long as they were linked.

In the sample of the rectangles at the left, I decided to reduce the size of all the boxes. Linking them let me reduce the rectangles across the layers in one step. With the reduced size, the shadow was blurred too much. I corrected one of the layers, then copied and pasted the effects to the linked layers. Very powerful tools.

Time for some fun?
Let's take the layer effects' power and have some fun with it. You can separate the layer effect from the layer and manipulate it with all the power that Photoshop offers. The image below started as a ball with a layer effect shadow. I separated the effects to a separate layer, and using the transform commands, manipulated the shadow to make the ball appear to be floating well above the surface.

The first step here was to create the ball and then apply a shadow effect. I used the darkest Web-safe gray as the shadow color, a distance of 150 and blur value of 30. Not very realistic though.

Right click (Command click) on the effects symbol to activate the drop-down menu, and a powerful option is presented. Choose Create Layer, and the layer effect will be moved to a separate layer, as shown below.

You can now manipulate the shadow in the same way as any other layer. In fact, you can apply an effect to the effect if that will achieve the results you seek. Add texture, noise, scale, rotate, skew ... whatever you wish, since it is a normal layer. It is wise to link the shadow layer to the object once you have achieve the right look.

This is how you can achieve perspective shadows on objects, making them appear to be standing up, or floating in the air. Experiment with the transform tools on a shadow layer and see what you can produce. You may have to play a while, but always keep light in mind. Where would the light be coming from, and what effect would that have? Place objects near a light source and observe the effects of the shadows.

We have the tool to create any three dimensional effect with effects layers, and you owe it to yourself to learn how to bring the dimension into your work.

Work with layers until you can accomplish all basic functions without thinking. Without understanding layers perfectly, you will not ever be able to master the power of Photoshop, and will find it difficult to create professional, highly editable images.

Finally, always, and I mean always, always, always – as in don't EVER forget – save a Photoshop format (PSD) copy of your files with layers intact. Even if you never work on that image again, you can use elements of it by dragging layers or copying effects.

Layer Effect Settings

The layers effect window offers a menu for each effect available, and they are all similar. To activate the effects menu, right click (Command click) on the layer you wish to add the effect to, and choose Effects. You can also choose Layer>Effects and then the effect you wish to add from the main menu. The Effects window will open.

You can choose the effect you wish to add from the drop-down menu at the top of the window. The Apply option must be active for that effect to be applied to your layer. You can add more than one effect on the same visit to the Effects window.

The Mode drop-down box offers the same options that are available throughout Photoshop – usually the default setting is the best for this setting, but experiment with other settings for unique effects. You can also change the color that is used to create each effect by simply clicking on the color well and choosing another color. I rarely use a colored shadow (though I have seen them used effectively), but I quite often use a shade of gray to reach the effect I desire.

The opacity is the one setting I always adjust on drop shadows. I find that a setting between 35% and 60% usually allows for a shadow that shows well, yet does not overpower the object.

The Global angle is a terrific setting. Shadows and other dimensional effects are intended to represent the effect of light on an object. Obviously, the light source angle is constant in a static image. The global angle setting provides a light direction that carries across the entire image.

The sample below is constructed of three layers. In the top sample, the default setting of 120° is used. One click changed the angle through the image to -48°. To adjust the angle, simply click on the angle flyout and click where you would like the new light source to be, or click and drag to your desired setting. If you know the angle you wish to use, you can also type the value. With the Use Global Angle option checked, this adjustment will change the angle across the entire image.

Occasionally, you may wish to have the a unique angle on one layer (be careful with this though). Uncheck the Use Global Angle option, and you can change the setting for the active layer without affecting other layers.

The distance, blur and intensity settings create the effect that the object is rising above the page. A low distance value will make the object appear to be quite close to the page, while a high setting provides the illusion that the object is floating well above the page. A closer setting is often better for text. The blur setting provides control over the amount of feathering in the shadow edges. I often find that I reduce the distance and increase the feathering in drop shadows.

Bevel and Emboss

The bevel and emboss feature in Photoshop is powerful, but again a setting where the default values usually do not deliver the best results In the sample at the left, the top row of buttons uses default values with an Inner Bevel. The lower sample is exactly the same, but has had the distance and blur reduced, with the shadow color changed from black to dark gray.

Experiment with settings by checking the preview option on the Effects window. You can watch the changes as you apply new values. It takes a little extra time in the beginning, but you will soon find that your instincts will lead you quickly to the correct settings.

Layer Effects

Quick Tip:
Before we begin working with layer effects, I want to make sure that you know one of the best time saving tips for working with layers. I find the Auto Select Layer option for the Move tool cumbersome. But you can have quick selecting on demand. With your Move tool active (V), you can activate a layer by CTRL (Command) clicking on an object in the document. The layer that contains that object will be highlighted. Occasionally, especially with small text, it may be hard to find the right spot to click, so confirm that the correct layer is active. However, for most work in Photoshop, this one little tip will save you hours and allows you to work primarily in your document, not constantly moving from the document to the Layers palette.

Now that we have done the work, let's have some fun. Photoshop layer effects provide an easy way to add dimension and interest to your images. I am not going to focus on the wild things you can do with effects, but rather the basic process and how you can speed your work. Still, it is rewarding to watch an object pop right out with a well-placed shadow, or see a plain line turn into a 3D tube before your eyes.

Layer effects are added to individual layers. Every item on the layer will receive the effect. Objects must be on a layer with a transparent background, however. If you look at the example below, the "Gray bar" layer is the first one above the white background. Although it appears in the document just as the colored objects, you can see the difference in the Layers palette thumbnails. Note how the white surrounds the gray bar.

If a drop shadow was added to this layer, the shadow would appear around the white portion, not the gray. On the colored layers, the shadow will appear for each object, since the layer background is transparent, as shown by the checkered background. The same drop shadow was added to all layers of this sample at the left with the following results.

Note that the gray bar layer shadow follows the white background edge, not the bar. When it appears that your effect is not working, make sure that your layer background is transparent.

Note: You cannot apply layer effects to a background layer. However, if you duplicate the background layer, it becomes a standard layer to which you can add effects.

Drop shadows
I suspect that the drop shadow is by far the most common layer effect applied in Photoshop. I would like to take a little side trip to talk about shadows, since many people simply accept the default settings. Although you can create an acceptable shadow this way, I find I make minor adjustments to the basic settings with almost every image. Changing just a few numbers can make a huge difference to your results. A shadow is usually intended to add depth to your design, and the best examples do not detract from the object.

Drop shadow adjustments become more than just an appearance issue when we are talking about text. I have seen many examples of text that is much harder to read because a shadow has been added – in extreme cases, it is virtually illegible.

Free PDF: The Beginner's Guide To Adobe Lightroom And Photoshop

Here's another fantastic free PDF file you can download. I haven't created it, it's by the American Writers and Artists, Inc. but I recommend you download it, it's got some great tips in it.

Click here to read "The Beginner's Guide To Adobe Lightroom And Photoshop"

(This resource was passed on to me by a blog reader, please feel free to contact me if you know any more great resources I can share on here)

Getting Started With Photoshop - Volume 3 (Free PDF Download)

Here's Volume 3 of "Getting Started With Photoshop"

Sorry it's been a late, but I've just come back from my holidays.

Don't forget if you missed the last 2 volumes you can grab
them from the links below.

http://www.learnphotoshopnow.com/gettingstarted-v1
http://www.learnphotoshopnow.com/gettingstarted-v2

Here's Volume 3

Right click here and select "Save Target As" to download this excellent guide.








Feel free to pass this document around, there are 17 pages, packed full of awesome information to help a Photoshop newbie get started on the right foot.

This is just a thanks from me for being on my update list and reading my blog.

Enjoy!

Linking and Merging Layers

Linking Layers
Suppose you have followed my advice, and have created layers for each step your drawing. Now you have an object with a fill, an outline and text. You would like to move this object over a few pixels. The only smart move is to merge the layers so that all will move as one unit.

That is one solution, but it is not the only one, nor is is probably the best one. You can link layers so that they are seen as one unit, but you can still separate them whenever you wish to make a change.

To link, simply select the main layer (any layer will do, but it is easier all around if you use a layer that makes sense as the "main" one in the link group.) Click on the second column from the left (as shown by the finger pointing cursor in this sample) to create a link. The chain symbol appears to indicate that this layer is linked to the active layer, and will appear any time the main layer in the link group is active. Repeat for any layer you would like to have as part of this group.

To unlink any layer, simply click in the link area on the Layers palette again.

Linked layers can be moved and transformed as if they were one layer.

You can fill selected areas on each layer independently, and even delete one layer in a link group. (Note: If you change your mind, and use the undo feature, the link will not be restored and you will have to link the layers again.)

What's a merge?
Merging layers creates one layer from two or more layers. Once layers are merged, they cannot be separated into the original layers, so be careful with this command. If you are certain you will not need the layers separate again, position the layer you wish to merge above the layer you wish to combine it with in the Layers palette. Click on the flyout menu and choose Merge Down. The layers will be combined with the name of the lower layer remaining.

If you have linked layers that you do not require to be separate, choose Merge Linked Layers from the flyout menu.

You can also merge all your layers together by choosing Flatten Image from the flyout menu.

Please make sure that you will not require the layers separate before merging. I will often link layers for a while before I make the decision to merge. This allows a trial period before committing to the merge. Why bother with merging at all if separate layers are so much better? It is not hard to build an image with 20-50, or more layers. Scrolling through the list or CTRL clicking an object to select a layer can become time consuming on a complicated image. If you are certain that several layers may be safely merged, it is best to simplify your work.

Working with Layers

Photoshop offers very powerful layer capabilities, which can cause confusion. It is also quite common to find many who fail to use layer functions that would help to speed their work.

The basic operation of a raster program depends on a selected layer. You do not have to build multiple layers, but you do need at least one layer. Pasting an item or creating text in Photoshop automatically creates a new layer. For any other operation, you will have to manually add a layer before drawing. If you do not add a layer, the object will be drawn on the currently selected layer and drawn objects will merge together automatically.

Create a new layer
There are several ways to create a new layer. Select Layer>New>Layer from the Main Menu or use SHIFT+CTRL (Command) + L. I find I most often use the Layers palette for layers operations. With the Layer tab active, click on the side arrow to activate the pop out menu. Click on New Layer. The New Layer window will appear. I advise that you type in a name for your layer, since working with even a few layers will become confusing. Choose a name that you will be able to identify, even if you return to the document months later. Click OK and your new layer will appear immediately above the layer that was selected when you created the new layer.

You can also duplicate a layer, which will copy the selected area and create a new layer to place the copy. Select the layer you wish to copy. Activate the side pop out menu and choose Duplicate Layer. Windows users can also right click on a layer and choose Duplicate Layer from the flyout menu. You will be presented with the Layers Option window, and can rename the copied layer from the Photoshop default, which is the name of the current layer with "copy" added.

When the copy is created, it is placed immediately on top of the original layer, which makes it seem as if nothing has happened. Use the Move tool to move the layer and you will see the new layer as well as the original layer.

Create a layer from a selection
You may wish to copy only a portion of a layer, or perhaps you would prefer that one area of a layer was on its own layer. You can copy or cut any selection to a new layer easily. Activate the layer (click on it) that contains the information you wish to duplicate or move to a new layer and select the area you would like to work with. Choose Layer>New>Layer via Copy or Layer via Cut from the main menu. For a quicker method, right click (Windows) or Command click (Mac) on the layer containing the selected area, and choose the Layer via Copy or Layer via Cut from the flyout menu. The selected area will be duplicated to a new layer if you chose to copy, or moved if you chose the cut option.

I often use the layer via copy or duplicate layer functions when creating navigation elements. Careful naming as you create repeating elements is essential for efficient production.

Rename a layer
If you do not name a layer as you create it, or if you are not presented with the choice to assign a name to a layer, you can easily rename any layer. Double click on the layer in the Layers palette and type a new name into the Name area of the Layer Options window. This window is also available through a right click (Command click) or the side flyout menu.

Change Layer Position
Solid areas in layers will hide the layers below in the stacking order. Quite often, you will find that you need to change the order of the layers. This is a very simple procedure in Photoshop. Simply click and drag the layer to the position you desire. As you are dragging, a clenched hand will appear. Release the mouse when the layer is in the position you require.

Share layers between documents
You can also drag a layer from one Photoshop document to another. Have both documents open – the one containing the layer you wish to copy, and the document that will receive the layer. Click and drag the layer from the original document to the document where you would like to add the layer. The layer will appear in the new document exactly as it was in the original document, but it will also remain in the original location.

Layers part 1

On Saturday we watched a basic video on Layering. Now we want to go in depth, however before we can do that we need to understand some basic layering concepts. Why do we spend so much time on the basics? When you fully understand the basic functions of a program you are more likely to be successful with the exciting techniques you attempt.

What is a layer?
The best way to understand layers is to think of each layer as a sheet of acetate, as used for overhead projectors. Picture a clear page, with parts of the page information on each page. In the sample at the left, note which object is in front of the next and then note the stacking order as represented in the exploded layers representation. The Photoshop Layers palette for this design is shown below.

It is best to place every new element, or addition to an element, on its own layer. You can always merge (combine) layers, and it is much safer and faster to build each element a layer at a time. Once you are satisfied with the look, you can then combine the elements that make up that object. As an example: If you wish to make a square with an outline, build your square first, and then add your outline on a new layer. As long as the layers are separate, you can easily change either the fill or the stroke color, and the stroke width.

Building in layers will seem awkward in the beginning, since it is easy to gather a significant number of layers. Soon though, you will develop an instinct for when to combine and link layers to make the layers palette less cumbersome. Next we will focus on the specifics of layers in Photoshop.

Using Layers for Effects

Here is a quick and easy 4 minute YouTube video showing how to add layers to your photos.

Merging for a Collage

Here is a quick and easy way to get started with merging photos and will open your eyes to more possibilities using this way-too-simple technique. In a nutshell, add all the pictures, move them into position, set their blending modes, erase away any parts you don't want, and presto, you're done.

First, gather your photos for the collage. Before you start you should have a target size and resolution in mind. All photos should be sized and sampled to the same resolution of the intended output. This wards off any problems once you begin assemblage.

Step 1:

Create the base Photoshop file to the size and resolution needed for output.

Step 2

Show the Layers Palette and open each file to be added
Use the Move Tool (Tap V) and one-by-one drag each image to be added into the base file. Observe that as they arrive in the base file a new layer will be produced.

Once you have all your files imported, it's a good idea to save the file as a PSD file.

Step 3:

Turn off all the layer images except the first one to be merged. Do this by clicking on the "Eye" icons in the left column of the layers palette. This let's you concentrate on just the one image.

Set the transparency of the layer to around 50% so you can see both the base image and the current layer at the same time.

Move the layer around until the portion you wish to use is in position in relation with the base image.

Step 4

Show the next layer to be modified by following step 3 above. Do this on each successive layer. No need to hide the 'finished' layer -- just let it stay so you can see the build as it happens.

Guides and the Grid

Guides and the grid help you position images or elements precisely. Guides appear as nonprinting lines that float over the image. You can move and remove guides. You can also lock them so that you don’t move them by accident.

The grid is useful for laying out elements symmetrically. The grid appears by default as nonprinting lines but can also be displayed as dots.

Guides and grids behave in similar ways:

• Selections, selection borders, and tools snap to a guide or the grid when dragged within 8 screen (not image) pixels. Guides also snap to the grid when moved. You can turn this feature on and off.
• Guide spacing, along with guide and grid visibility and snapping, is specific to an image.
• Grid spacing, along with guide and grid color and style, is the same for all images.

You can use Smart Guides to help align shapes, slices, and selections. They appear automatically when you draw a shape, or create a selection or slide. You can hide Smart Guides if you need to.

Creating a Panorama

Okay, you want to create a panorama but your camera doesn't have that option. It is really no big deal, you can easily use PS to stitch your photos together using these steps.

1. First you take your photos by choosing the spot where you want to photograph. A hint: if you have a tripod, use it, it will help immensely. I always start taking the photos from the left and go on to the right. So take the first photo then try to remember an object or something that’s on the right side of that photo you just took, now move your camera to the right (in my case) and find that object you just picked out as your marker, now put that object in the middle of the next photo, it helps if you can put the photos over each other in photoshop when you want to edit them.
   
2. You next need to decide the size of your panorama, I want mine to be the height of 600 pixels and the width will then be 2400 pixels, because when I put the height to 600 then all the images have to be 800 px times 600 px… So 800 times 3 is 2400. Import all the images and change the size from your original size to 800*600.
3. Next we open up photoshop now, and start with an empty canvas (image) with the size of 2600 x 600 px. I put the extra 200 to the 2400 to have a little breathing room when I edit my photos.
4. Put the photo that you took first onto layer one, the next on layer 2 and so on. Lay them out as next to each other as possible and you will see where the photos will change.
5. Now you take the rectangular marquee tool and drag “a line” where the 2 images go together. Now Press Ctrl + Alt + D and to select the feather tool (sorry just know the shortcut to most tools). Put in the amount let’s say 20…something around that should be good and press enter. Now be sure that you have selected layer 2, which means the second photos overlapping the first one. Then just press delete. Now you see how the two images go together. Sometimes it works just with that and some times your need to use the lasso tool for example to fix some small details so that they really fit together with the first photo.
6. When you then got every image together, use the crop tool to select out our photo of the panorama, you can take all or just a part of it. When you have cropped the photo and checked that all the details are right, you can put all the photos in to one photo by pressing Ctrl + E, to merge the photos together as one. A hint: be sure that you have checked all the details before you do this because it’s much easier to fix things while they are still in different layers.