Photoshop Re-Introduction Setting up/Opening a project Saving Options Introduction to Layers Week 1 – Study Support Sessions

Opening a Project You need to click on the Photoshop icon at the bottom of the screen. Depending on your version of Photoshop, your workspace might look different. Depending on settings, you might have to tweak the layout of the boxes you can see/set up your work area how you prefer.

Opening a project Your workspace on the Macs at college should look similar to this. You should be able to see your toolbox here You should be able to see your Layers here You should be able to see your Options here

Setting up/Changing your workspace  Depending on what you work best with, you may want to tweak the way you can see Photoshop on the Mac you are working on.  Which tool boxes do you want to see?  Click ‘Window’ on the top task bar and see which tool boxes are ticked. You can then move these around on your screen.  Personally – I like to see my ‘Tools’, ‘Layers’ and ‘Options’ as a minimum set up. This would be a useful standard set up for your coursework.

You now have options Create a New Project. 2. Open an Existing Project. 3. Open a Recent Project. (Could be useful for lost work/when you haven’t saved to a secure location)

New project...  To start a new project, click ‘new’, you will then see a box which gives you a range of options It will usually open with a present. Ease of use – International paper, A4 etc. Options to name your Document. Options to set up specific sizes. Ensure you are working in RGB – and not greyscale. 8 bit is fine for now.

Saving a project  If you want to save something as a Photoshop Document (to edit again later) you need to save as a PSD file. (this should be automatic on saving)  If you want to save something to open/use elsewhere, you need to think about what file format you need.  I would recommend JPEG for most image save types, as this should still give you a decent quality for your print products, both in Photoshop and in other programmes.

Saving a project - Extended  If you want a file to include ‘invisible elements’ you need to save as a PNG document. Does it matter what document types I save as?  Compatibility  Size (storage and transfer)  Type of file required  Usability

Additional task – Link to next session  Layers – Changing opacity Next Session:  Intro to toolbox.  Layers – advancing from basics.  Inserting Text.