Introduction What is Photoshop and what does it eat?

You probably know what the software is for under the loud name Adobe Photoshop. This is not just an image editing application - Photoshop is a huge platform for ideas and creativity related to files of pictures, photos and drawings. Here you can not only modify existing files, but also create a completely new and unique product.

Welcome to Adobe Photoshop!

Indeed, almost all designers use Photoshop: from simple drawings to content to a full supply of illustrations of books, games and other products. To the delight of users, developers are constantly improving the program, adding new features and capabilities to it. Therefore, it is important to keep track of updates that are released by Adobe. Now, after a short tour, let's learn how to use Photoshop.

Where to get the program from?

You can download the electronic version of the software on the official Adobe website on the download page //creative.adobe.com/ru/products/download/photoshop?promoid=61PM825Y&mv=other. Here you must first register with the Adobe system to get an AdobeID. Then fill in the fields that the download page offers and, after logging in, download the installation file and go through the installation procedure. It is important to note that the first 30 days you can use your copy of the application for free. After that, having tested the product, you will be asked to purchase a license.

The developer provides several options for using the program.

Adobe offers its users fairly reasonable prices for their products. So, you can buy Photoshop for a certain price per month, that is, by subscription. The same option is offered for the CreativeCloud suite, which includes several Adobe programs. The cost and composition of the kit should always be clarified on the official website, as they may vary. Also note that the system has special conditions for students and teachers, as well as corporate clients. So, you can save a decent amount when using Adobe services.

The first launch of the program

After installation, you should start the application from the shortcut created on the desktop. When you first open a window will appear with a description of the program and notification of the start of the 30-day trial period. Click on “Start Trial Period” and wait for the program to open. We now turn directly to how to work in Photoshop.

The work area is very convenient and can be customized.

Photoshop main menu

Upstairs is the main menu with the following items:

1. File. Here you can perform all operations for saving a file, creating a new one, printing photos, importing.
2. Editing. As the name implies, at this point there are tools for changing various kinds of settings, which are a huge number there. For example, here you can change the color settings. There is also a function “Step back”, which will answer your question about how to cancel the action in Photoshop.
3. Picture. Here you can find such parameters as correcting the colors of the image, trimming, its rotation, cropping and much more.
4. Layers. Generally, if the file being edited contains many different elements, then each of them is made on a separate layer. For example, if you place text over a picture, it will automatically be created on a new layer. They are located on the bottom right. The top menu item “Layers” controls all the settings regarding the issue under discussion by layers. Here you can create a new one, delete the existing one, add effects to it and so on.
5. Text. From the title it is clear what exactly is regulated by this tab. All operations on the added text field are controlled in this clause.
6. Highlight. Here you can select different objects (for example, layers). This is also important to know in order to learn how to work in Photoshop cs6.
7. Filter. All filters and effects like blur, distortion and others are located here. You can also find other filters on the Internet by clicking the corresponding menu item "Filter".
8. 3D. Here you can customize 3D layers and scenes for a photo or any other image.
9. The menu “View” has all the options for displaying information on the screen: here you will see the display of auxiliary elements (grid, ruler and others), and the setting of guides.
10. Window allows you to add new panels to the workspace. For example, if you need a histogram, then you just need to tick the corresponding menu item "Window".
11. Well, the last item "Help." Here is all the product information, support center, as well as a tab to log in to AdobeID for additional features.

Access to the main functions is through the menu hierarchy.

Toolbar

The next thing you see below the main menu is the field with the settings of the tool that is currently selected. These tools are located on the left panel. Let's look at each of them. In brackets there is a button for quick access to the function (all letters are English). Also describes the additional features when you click the right mouse button.

1. Move (V). Allows you to move the selected object or area in any direction. Also with the help of it you can twist this object, rotate, reflect.
2. Rectangular area (M). Allocates in the shape of a rectangle. You can also select in the form of oval, horizontal and vertical lines.
3. Lasso (L). Also a selection tool. You can choose among the usual lasso, rectilinear and magnetic lasso.
4. Magic Wand (W). Allocates an area in a special framework. There is also a quick selection.
5. Frame (C). Crop image. Also here are the layout, framing perspective and selection of the fragment.
6. Pipette (I). Recognizes the color when you click on the photo (takes into account the pixel to which you hit). There is also a ruler, a comment, a counter, a color standard and a pipette of 3D material.
7. Healing brush (J). Also here are a point version of the tool, a patch, moving based on the content and a tool to remove the red-eye effect.
8. Paintbrush (B). It allows you to draw over a photo or it can help you when creating a new image. It has quite flexible settings. In addition to the brush here are pencil, mix-brush and color replacement.
9. Stamp and patterned stamp (S).
10. Archival brush (Y).
11. The eraser (E) erases the area you are driving. The background eraser removes everything, including the background (that is, if you save in certain formats, the background will be transparent).
12. Gradient (G) and fill fill the selection with color or gradient.
13. The action of blur and sharpness tools is clear from their names, while the finger moves the area like clay. You can, for example, move the eyebrow higher or lower your eyes.
14. As in the previous case, the names of the tools coincide with their intended purpose: clarifier, dimmer and sponge. Quick access to them can be obtained by pressing the letter O on the keyboard.
15. The pen (P) in various variations is located below the clarifier. It helps in drawing, adjusting and other operations performed on the image.
16. Next is the tool for adding a text field. It is an integral part of understanding how to use Adobe Photoshop.
17. Outline selection (A).
18. The tool with different shapes allows you to add an object of any shape on the new or existing layer, which are available in the program's collection.
19. The following is the "Hand", which allows you to move the photo. For example, if you have increased the zoom and want to edit an image in such an approximate form, then this tool will help you to move, for example, from one eye to another.
20. Magnifier increases the zoom in the photo.
21. Two squares with black and white are the colors that are currently being regulated. That is, if the color in the near square is red, then the brush from point eight will paint in red. The far square is responsible for the color of a regular eraser.

Many tools contain subtools.

As you can see, there are a lot of tools and it is quite difficult to study them all at once. So try to devote some time to each of them. Then you will know how to work with Photoshop cs6, for example.

Right program area

This area of ​​the workspace is regulated using a special tab, where the default is “Primary work environment”. There will be a color palette, a field with correction and styles, as well as a window with layers, channels and outlines. You can change the environment for the space under the photo, drawing, movement and other adjustments.

Additional panels for work

Results

Now you know how to work in Photoshop and learned the basic tools of the program. And from this point on, you can fully use the various instructions on the Internet, which describe many interesting lessons on creating amazing effects. From now on, your imagination will work for you, and all your ideas will be realized. Share your first work in the comments. Fruitful work, dear friends!