When working with drop shadows, Photoshop uses global lighting by default to make sure every drop shadow you apply in one document is placed at the same angle. Of course, you may not always want every shadow in an image to come from a sinlge light source. To turn off global lighting so you can specify multiple light sources, deselect the Use Global Light check box on the Drop Shadow pane in the Layer Style dialog box.

When faced with the challenge of lightening an overly dark image in Photoshop, there are numerous techniques you can use. However, for those instances when you have no time, we have the perfect technique for you. Just open the image in Photoshop and make a copy of it in the Layers palette. Then, change the copied layer's blending mode to Screen. This significantly improves the colors within your image. If necessary, adjust the opacity of the layer until you're satisfied with the results.

To align an image in the center of the canvas, select the layer, press [command]A ([Ctrl]A in Windows) to select the image on that layer or linked layers and then choose from among the Align buttons in the tool options bar or the Align To Selection submenu.

To move something from one Photoshop document to another, you can copy and paste the selection. However, this copies the selection to the clipboard, which uses up a lot of RAM. Alternatively, you can drag an image, selection, or layer from one window to another using the Move tool. To center an image, selection, or layer, press the [shift] key as you drag it into the new document.

Most Photoshop documents are made up of many layers. Wouldn't it be nice if there was an easy way you could save the individual layers for use elsewhere? Well, there is! Simply choose File > Scripts > Export Layers To Files in your Photoshop document. In the resulting dialog box, enter a destination or click Browse to choose one. Next, specify your choice for a filename prefix and select the Visible Layers Only check box if you wish to only export the visible layers in your document. Now, select a format in the File Type pane. The format you choose depends on how you intend to use the files. Also, select the Include ICC profile check box if you want to embed a color profile in the files. Depending on your chosen file format, you may need to set additional options. For example, if you select the TIFF option button, the TIFF Options pane displays and allows you to select an image compression setting. After you make your selection, click Run to export the layers in your document. Depending on how many layers there are, the script may take awhile to run. When it's done, click OK in the resulting dialog box. Each layer in your document is now saved in a separate file.

Do you ever wish you could print just a portion of an image? It's easy to do in Photoshop. Simply make a selection around the area you want to print. Then, choose File > Print With Preview. In the Scaled Print Size pane, select the Print Selected Area check box. Set the remaining Print options accordingly and then click Print One.

Photoshop has become a lot more adept at handling text, so it's conceivable that you may actually set a few columns of text in Photoshop. So how do you create consistently sized columns? The answer is simple; just select the Horizontal Type tool (Type tool in version 6) and hold down the [option] key ([Alt] key in Windows) while dragging the mouse pointer to make a text box. Upon doing so, the Paragraph Text Size dialog box opens and you can enter the exact size you want the column to be.

Although you can set a preference in Photoshop to maximize compatibility, unsupported features are discarded when you edit or save an image using an earlier version of Photoshop. For this reason, it's best to work and output your documents in the same version. Before you create a new document that will be viewed and/or printed by someone else, make sure you're working in the same version of Photoshop.

If you want to adjust the letter tracking, or spacing, across a range of letters, you don't have to mess around with entering specific values in the Tracking text box in the Character palette. Instead, you can use key commands.

To tighten the spacing between letters, highlight your text with the Horizontal Type tool (Type tool in versions 6) and then press [option][left arrow] ([Alt][Left Arrow] in Windows); and to add more space, press [option][right arrow] ([Alt][Right Arrow] in Windows).

You may have noticed that Adobe Photoshop CS for Windows doesn't create thumbnail previews for images. It isn't because you installed the software wrong--previous versions of Photoshop were able to display thumbnail previews using a file named psicon.dll. Unfortunately, this file doesn't install with Photoshop CS. A workaround solution for this limitation is to use Windows Explorer and Photoshop's File Browser. You can display thumbnail previews for some file formats, such as JPEG files, in Windows Explorer; you can display thumbnail previews for all formats using Photoshop's File Browser (File > Browse).

Photoshop inherently deals with raster images, which have a tendency to produce jagged edges. However, text starts out as vector shapes and you can preserve the crisp, resolution-independent nature of these lines. To do so, first forgo rasterizing the text in your documents. Second, print to a PostScript printer, which can preserve vector data. Third, save the document as an EPS file if you intend to place it in another application, such as Adobe InDesign. In the EPS Options dialog box, select the Include Vector Data check box.

In Photoshop, you can set a preference to maximize file compatibility between versions. In earlier versions of Photoshop, this preference is on by default, so you probably never even noticed it. In Photoshop CS, however, the preference is set to always ask if you want to maximize compatibility. Are you tired of seeing the Maximize PSD File Compatibility dialog box every time you save a document? Then, the answer is to change the preference setting.

To do this, choose Photoshop (Edit in Windows) > Preferences > File Handling. In the File Compatibility pane, choose Always from the Maximize PSD File Compatibility pop-up menu if you intend to edit your documents in an earlier version of Photoshop. This saves a composite image along with the layers of your documents. It also increases file size considerably. If you don't intend to edit your Photoshop documents in an earlier version, you're better off choosing Never.

The Pen tool has an Auto Add/Delete option located on the Pen tool options bar. When active, the Pen tool automatically changes to the Add Anchor Point tool when you hover over a line segment. Then, when the Pen tool is directly over a point, it changes to the Delete Anchor Point tool. This is one option you should leave on; it's convenient and saves time.

If the Magic Wand tool never seems to select all the pixels that you want it to, don't try to add the missing pixels to the selection a chunk at a time. Instead, choose Select > Modify > Smooth. In the resulting dialog box, enter 1 in the Sample Radius text box and click OK. This adds the missing pixels to your selection quickly.

When filling an object with color, you can select the object and then choose Edit > Fill, or you can simply use a key command. First, with the object selected, set your foreground color to the desired fill color. Now, press [shift][option][delete] ([Shift][Alt][Backspace] in Windows) and Photoshop instantly fills your object. This action turns on the Lock Transparent Pixels option and then fills the unlocked areas.

A precautionary step you can take to avoid significant color shifts when converting images from RGB to CMYK is, while working in RGB mode, to set your Proof Setup to Working CMYK. You can do so by choosing View > Proof Setup > Working CMYK. This allows you to work in RGB mode, while seeing the CMYK interpretation of your document onscreen.

You can resize your selections to an exact measurement using the Free Transform function. Just select the area you want resized. Then, press [command]T ([Ctrl]T in Windows) to access the Free Transform function. Next, go to the tool options bar and enter the appropriate measurements in the W (width) and H (height) text boxes, making sure to follow up the value with inches, pixels, etc. Then, press [enter] to apply your changes.

Select the Measure tool from the Eyedropper tool's flyout menu in the Toolbox. Click and drag along an image line that should be horizontal or vertical. Choose Image > Rotate Canvas > Arbitrary, and the correct angle and direction to make that line match the edge of the image frame is displayed. Click OK and Photoshop straightens the image.

Photoshop automatically fills a shape layer, which you can make with any Shape, Line, or Pen tool, with the foreground color. However, you can change it to a different color, gradient, or pattern. Be sure to click the Create New Shape Layer button on the tool options bar. Photoshop stores the shape outline in a layer clipping path that appears in the Paths palette.

If you want to align or distribute images on separate but linked layers, you can use either the image frame as a reference point or a selection marquee. Make a selection marquee. Then, switch to the Move tool and click the Align or Distribute button on the tool options bar. The linked images align or distribute as if the selection were the image frame. You can also select Layer > Align To Selection.

You can sample pixels from layers other than the active one. To do so, select the Magic Wand, Smudge, Blur, Sharpen, Paint Bucket, or Clone Stamp tool from the Toolbox. Then, select the Use All Layers check box on the tool options bar. The tool you chose samples pixels from all visible layers, not just the active layer.

If you try to use a keyboard shortcut and Photoshop ignores it or delivers an alert message when you know the command should work, you probably have a palette option or a field active. Instead of trying to track down the interference, simply press the [esc] key and try your shortcut again. With any luck, your command will execute as expected.

When retouching a photograph, it's usually a good idea to keep one view of the image at its actual size while you work on a second view of it at an enlarged size. The changes you make in the zoomed window will appear in the normal-size window. To do so, choose Window > Arrange > New Window [filename] (Window > Documents > New Window in version 7).

If you start with a JPEG image, perhaps from a digital camera, and alter it, don't save it again as a JPEG; you'll lose image quality every time you re-save an image in JPEG format. Instead, save the altered image as a PSD file and make a JPEG copy if you need to post the image to the web, for example. In the meantime, you'll have a good copy of your altered image in PSD format for use in other applications, such as for printing photos or using them a printed brochure.

New to Photoshop CS is the ability to export layers of a file to individual files by way of the Scripts command in the File menu. In the same menu, you can export layer comps (as flattened images) to flat files in any of six file formats, PDFs, or even images as a Web Photo Gallery for conversion to web pages.

Hold down the [spacebar] key and the current tool changes to the Hand tool. Double-click on the Hand tool and the image fills your screen. Double-click on the Zoom tool and the image displays at 100% of its size and resolution on your screen. Press [command][+] or [-] on the keypad ([Ctrl][+] or [-] in Windows) to enlarge or reduce the image and frame by preset percentages: 25%, 33.3%, 50%, 66%, etc.

When you want to open a layered file as a flat composite instead, hold down [shift][option] ([Shift][Alt] in Windows) as you open the selected file. Photoshop displays an Adobe Photoshop dialog box that asks, "Read the composite data instead?" Just click OK and your file appears as a flattened version of the layered file.

As you apply a drop shadow layer style, you can use the mouse pointer and drag the position of the shadow to change its angle and distance. You can do this rather than entering number values in the Layer Style dialog box.

With the Brush tool active, you can press a number on the number pad to change the brush's opacity--0 equals 100%, 1 equals 10%, and so on. And, regardless of the tool selected, pressing V before the keypad number affects the layer's opacity value.

You can open the Fill dialog box anytime by pressing [shift][delete] ([Shift][Backspace] in Windows). Pressing [option][delete] ([Alt][Backspace] in Windows) fills the layer or selection with the foreground color. Pressing [command][delete] ([Ctrl][Backspace] in Windows) fills the layer or selection with the background color.

You can combine all of your layers into one new layer without losing the individual layers. To do so, create a new layer and then press [command][shift][option]E ([Ctrl][Shift][Alt]E in Windows). The new layer then contains a composite of all visible layers.

When you apply a filter in Photoshop and decide that it didn't produce enough of the effect you were after, you can either undo that filter effect and return to the filter's dialog box to reset the values or you can apply the filter again by pressing [command]F ([CtrlF in Windows), which reapplies the filter with the same settings. Better yet, press [command][option]F ([Ctrl][Alt]F in Windows) and the last-run filter's dialog box appears so you can fine-tune the settings before you run it again.

Drawing paths in Photoshop is simplified by the fact that the Pen tool can delete and add anchor points all by itself. Depending on how you work, you don't need to select the Add Anchor Point or Delete Anchor Point tool, or even use modifier keys with the Pen tool. With a path selected and the anchor points showing, select the Pen tool and click on an existing anchor point to delete it; use the same Pen tool to click anywhere on a path to add an anchor point.

You can switch between blending modes in the Layers palette by pressing [shift][option] and a letter ([Shift][Alt] and a letter in Windows) that represents a blending mode. You must select the Move tool for this feature to work. For example, pressing the key combination with the letter H activates the Hard Light blending mode.

Here's a super-quick way to change the opacity of any layer you're working on without going to the Opacity slider in the Layers palette. With the Move tool selected, simply type a number on the keyboard--1 equals 10% opacity, 5 equals 50%, etc. For intermediate values, such as 74%, just type the two numbers in quick succession.

You can easily remove the black background from an image--for example, if you want the image to appear as brilliant but over a different background--using settings in the Advanced Blending section of the Layer Style dialog box. Select Gray from the Blend If pop-up menu and move the left sliders individually ([option]-drag to separate them ([Alt]-drag in Windows)) until the darks of the image disappear and the bright colors remain.

When copying a layer into a new alpha channel, make sure the copied version occupies the exact position of the original. To do this, [command]-click ([Ctrl]-click in Windows) on the layer name to select its outlines. Then, copy and paste into a new channel, which ensures the correct position.

A layer mask starts out with black as the color that hides and white as the color that reveals. You can quickly switch these settings by simply pressing the X key on the keyboard without having to go to the Toolbox to set either white or black as your foreground color. Pressing the X key toggles the painting color between black and white.

If you're working with letterforms in Photoshop, you are, of course, limited to some degree by the fonts you own. However, Photoshop offers two ways to at least simulate additional font weights. The first is located on the Character palette. Open the Character palette, highlight a character you've typed, and click the Faux Bold button at the bottom of the palette. This adds a predetermined extra weight to the selected font.

On the other hand, if you want a little more control and you can afford to rasterize your letterforms, Photoshop's filters provide the option to add or subtract weight from a character. Select the character(s) you want to change the weight of, and choose Layer > Rasterize > Type. Now, select Filter > Other > Maximum and adjust the Radius slider to 1 or more pixels. This control does the opposite of what you'd expect: It minimizes the letterform, making it appear thinner. Be careful, though, as there's a limit to how far you can go before the character becomes distorted. Choosing the Minimize filter adds to the weight. You can use these light and heavy weight versions individually or in combination with other artistic or distortion tools.

The Unsharp Mask filter is a wonderful tool if you don't mind increasing the sharpness of everything, including textures. On the other hand, if you want the edges of objects to appear snappier, use the High Pass filter in combination with Unsharp Mask. To do so, duplicate your image and select Filter > Other > High Pass. In the resulting dialog box, adjust the Radius slider to accentuate the edges. Try the lower values first--the image takes on a gray appearance--and work up from there. Click OK. Then, change the Mode pop-up menu in the Layes palette to Overlay and observe the amount of edge sharpening that takes place without affecting the flat or textured areas. If the effect is too strong, try the Soft Light blending mode and/or use the Opacity slider in the Layers palette to reduce the intensity of edge sharpening.

You can clean up dirty or speckled areas of an image, particularly the sky or pavement portions of vintage photos, without affecting the parts of the photo that contain people or buildings. Recall the blending modes in the Layers palette: Lighten makes dark spots of the top layer transparent to the lower layer, and Darken makes the light spots of the top layer transparent. Katrin Eisman made good use of this effect in her book "Photoshop Restoration and Retouching".

Using the Lasso tool, capture a segment of a flat, speckled area, feather the edges, and paste it as a new layer on top of the original. If the spots are dark, select Lighten from the Mode pop-up menu in the Layers palette. Using the keyboard arrow keys, shift this image a few pixels to the right and a few down until you notice the spots disappear. You can use the same technique when the spots are a light tone, except choose Darken from the Mode pop-up menu. You can accomplish most of the retouching by using this single technique. It may be necessary to touch up with the Clone Stamp tool to finish the job.

If you're looking for the maximum range of control and the ability to create unique special effects when using the Pattern Stamp tool (located on the Clone Stamp tool's flyout menu), don't forget about selecting a blending mode. The Pattern Stamp tool lends itself to a certain strictness--that is, you're more likely to select a pre-existing pattern and start methodically filling in your target areas. By adding a blending mode to the mix, you'll find that you can create more interesting interactions with the other elements of your design. To select a blending mode for the Pattern Stamp tool, first select the tool and then choose a blending mode from the Mode pop-up menu on the tool options bar.

Now that real-time histograms are beginning to show up on digital camera displays, you need to know how to read them at a glance. Even if you don't have the benefit of a histogram that displays each channel in a different color, the overall range presented as a black graphic will still give you important information about your picture.

The left side of the histogram represents dark tones. When the vertical bars are clumped toward that end, your image is a low-key photo because most of the information (and pixels) are located in the darker tones. Conversely, when the indicators are clumped to the right end, your image is considered high-key and most of the information is contained in the lighter tones of the photo. A photo with full tonal range shows a distribution of pixels where the middle has a hump and both ends slope down to a decreasing population of pixels. A spike of pixels at the farthest extremes of either end indicates "clipping," which means that a good number of pixels are either too white or too black to have any usable information. Thus, the shadow or highlight information has been lost, or "clipped," from the image. Aside from clipping, or losing good image data, there really is no such thing as an ideal histogram. High-key, low-key, and full-tone are all legitimate methods of image presentation.

Have you ever had to place a series of objects, such as snowflakes or popcorn, into one document? Well, rather than copying and pasting them over and over again, you can turn the shape into a custom brush. To do so, select the object that you want to use as a brush. Then, press [command]C ([Ctrl]C in Windows) to copy the selection. Open a new document and press [command]V ([Ctrl]V in Windows) to paste the image into the new document. Now, choose Edit > Define Brush. In the resulting dialog box, name your brush and click OK. Your custom shape brush now appears in the Brushes palette.

Here's a useful trick to help you fill all the pixels with the foreground color without eliminating transparent areas on the same layer. First, change the Set Foreground Color swatch to your color of choice. Then, press [option][shift][delete] ([Alt][Shift][Backspace] in Windows) and the non-transparent areas are filled with your foreground color, while the transparency is untouched. To fill with the background color instead, select [command][shift][delete] ([Ctrl][Shift][Backspace] in Windows).

Did you know that you can change the pressure, opacity and/or exposure of the Paintbrush, Airbrush, Pencil, Blur, Sharpen, Smudge, Dodge, Burn and Sponge tools in 10 percent increments by pressing a number on the keyboard or keypad? Well, you can. Just press 1 to change the setting to 10 percent, 2 for 20 percent and so on until you get to 0 for 100.

How often do you find yourself scrolling through 10 or 20 open Photoshop files when working on a project? Normally when you want to access one document or another, you have to click on it to bring it to the foreground. However, an easier and much faster way to do so is by pressing [Control][Tab]. Now, you can go from one document to another in the blink of an eye.

If you're familiar with the Clouds filter in Photoshop, then you know that the clouds tend to look more like parchment paper (which is a good thing sometimes). You can navigate to the filter by choosing Filter > Render > Clouds from the menu bar. However, if you want to intensify the effect a bit by adding more contrast, then hold down the [option] key ([Alt] key in Windows) as you select the filter.

Admit it; you're not always perfect. When scanning images, undoubtedly you've gotten that one scan that was a bit askew when you placed it on the scanner bed. It happens to us all. So, how do you straighten it out? It's easy; simply use the Measure tool. Just drag the tool's pointer along the top edge of your image, then choose Image > Rotate Canvas > Arbitrary. Click OK and Photoshop applies the information from your measurement and straightens things out for you. Now that's perfect.

When feathering a selection using the Feather command, there's no way to tell how your final results will appear until you actually apply the feather. So, if you want to preview your effect, you can use a quick mask. To see how it works, open an image in Photoshop. Then, make a selection of the area in your image that you want feathered. Next, press Q to enter Quick Mask mode. Upon doing so, your selection appears red. Now, choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. In the resulting Gaussian Blur dialog box, you'll be able to preview the effect. So, adjust the blur until you're satisfied with the amount of feathering being applied to your selection and click OK. Press Q again to get your selection back, and then choose Select > Inverse to select the area of your image that you want to delete. Finally, press [delete] and deselect your image for a perfect feather.

Have you ever tried to merge a layer with the layer below it and lost all of the effects applied to that upper layer? This is because when you choose Merge Down from the Layers palette's pop-up menu, Photoshop only applies the blending mode of the bottom layer to the merged version. However, if you select Merge Visible, and hide any layers that you don't want combined, all of your blending modes are preserved and your merged layer will look exactly as is does onscreen.

Have you ever adjusted the Curves of an image or tweaked the Levels and found the results less than appealing? Or maybe you just wanted to experiment with a few different adjustments without actually applying them to your image. Well, you can do this quite easily using adjustment layers. Just open the Layers palette and click the Create New Fill Or Adjustment Layer button at the base of the palette. Then, select an option from the resulting pop-up menu. Upon doing so Photoshop creates an adjustment layer in the Layers palette, where you can make changes without actually affecting your original image.

For whatever reason, Adobe didn't include the 3D Transform filter in Photoshop CS. However, you can add it to CS. All you have to do is add the plug-in to the Filters folder. If you still have Photoshop 7's application folder on your hard drive, navigate to the Plug-Ins folder. Open the Plug-Ins folder and then open the Filters folder. Select the 3D Transform filter plug-in and drag and drop it into Photoshop CS's Filters folder (PSCS > Plug-Ins > Filters). Restart Photoshop and choose Filter > Render. The 3D Transform filter is now there for you to use.

If you deleted the old version completely from your hard drive, get the Extras disk that came with the application. Then, navigate to the Optional Plug-Ins folder for Photoshop CS. Next, open the Filters folder and there you'll find the 3D Transform plug-in. Drag and drop it into the Filters folder as we just explained and you're good to go.

After creating a path in Photoshop, you can easily resize the path if needed. To do so, select your path with the Path Selection tool, located in the Toolbox. Then, on the tool options bar, select the Show Bounding Box check box. Doing so places a transform bounding box around your image, which you can then use to adjust the size of your path.

The next time you have to increase the size of your canvas, check out Photoshop's Relative option. Just choose Image > Canvas Size. Then, in the resulting Canvas Size dialog box, select the Relative check box. Now, just enter the how much space you want added to the Width and Height text boxes. It's much easier than trying to add 1.57 inches to 22.35 inches (not that you should create documents with such random sizes, but you never know).

Oftentimes, when making a selection using any of the selection tools, you may find that you have to add or subtract a portion of the selected area. You can do this easily using key commands. To add to a selection, hold down the [shift] key while making the additional selection. To subtract from it, hold down the [option] key ([Alt] key in Windows).

Did you know that when typesetting in Photoshop you can fine-tune the spacing between letters or words in your document? Well, you can. To do so, after setting your text, open the Character palette by clicking the Toggle The Character And Paragraph Palettes button on the tool options bar or by choosing Window > Character. In the Character palette, go to the Set The Tracking For The Selected Characters text box and either click on the arrow icon to the right of the text box to assign a preset number or enter a number of your choice. If you want to adjust the spacing between each word, highlight all of your text before making any adjustments. If you want to adjust the spacing between specific letters, just select those letters. Then, adjust the tracking. Now, if you don't want to be bothered with actual numeric values, adjust the tracking space by space using key commands. Just highlight the text you want to modify, and then press [option][left arrow] ([Alt][Left Arrow] in Windows) to make the spacing tighter or [option][right arrow] ([Alt][Right Arrow] in Windows) to space out the text more.

How many times have you been asked to change the color of an element within an image? The next time this happens, we've the the perfect technique for you. Just select the area of the image that you need to change. Then, choose Image > Adjustments (Adjust in version 6) > Hue/Saturation. In the resulting dialog box, select the Colorize check box, and then drag the Hue slider back and forth until you get the color you want. It's that easy!

The Eyedropper tool is great to use when you want to take a color from one part of an image and use it somewhere else. With that said, when sampling colors, for the best result, set the Sample Size pop-up menu to 3 By 3 Average on the tool options bar. This will give you a nice color representation.

Did you know that you can attach notes to your Photoshop files without exiting the application? Well, you can. The next time you have a file that's going to be modified by another designer or reviewed by someone else, and you want to include a note, just attach a digital annotation to it. To do so, select the Notes tool from the Toolbox and click on your document where you want the note to appear. It's that easy! Also, keep in mind that these notes are compatible with Adobe Acrobat.

Filters take up a lot of memory, especially when you apply them to large files. If you've found that Photoshop gets a bit choked up when you apply filters, there are a couple of ways to help things run more smoothly. First, try to apply the Purge command by choosing Edit > Purge > All. If that doesn't help, try just applying the filter to a small selected portion of your image to preview the results before actually applying it to the entire image. Finally, as a last resort, try applying the filter to individual channels, rather than the composite channel.

When photo retouching, you should always keep a copy of the original image, just in case you have to go back to it for any reason. With that said, a fast and easy way to duplicate an image that you want to adjust is to simply choose Image > Duplicate. In the resulting Duplicate Image dialog box, name the duplicate image and click OK. Upon doing so, Photoshop opens the new document and you can retouch it without worrying about altering the original image.

Do you have a lot of images stored on your computer or CDs that you're constantly sifting through to find what you want? If so, you should take advantage of Photoshop's ability to create contact sheets. Basically, this feature allows you to print out thumbnails of all your image files stored in a folder, including images in subfolders. Even more importantly, you can print the filename along with the thumbnail. Then, when you want a certain image, just glance through your thumbnail printouts, find the image you want, and then access it on your computer.

To make a contact sheet, choose File > Automate > Contact Sheet II. In the Contact Sheet II dialog box, select the folder containing your images from the Source Images section. Then, adjust the document settings for your needs and enter how you want your thumbnails to be laid out. Finally, select the Use Filename As Caption check box and choose a Font and Font Size. Click OK and let Photoshop go to work creating your contact sheet.

Every once in a while you may find that you have to add a 1-point border around your Photoshop files. There are a couple of different ways you can do this. The quickest way is to select the entire document and add a stroke around it. To do so, open the Layers palette, and if your image is on the Background layer, convert it to a working layer by double-clicking on it. Then, click the Add A Layer Style button and choose Stroke from its pop-up menu. In the resulting Layer Style dialog box, set the Size slider to 1 and the Position pop-up menu to Inside. Then, in the Fill Type section, choose the color you want your stroke to be. Click OK and you'll have an instant frame.

If you don't want to cover up any part of your image, you can add an outer frame to your image by making the canvas larger. First, set your background color to whatever color you want the stroke to be. Also, for this technique, make sure your image is on the Background layer. Then, choose Image > Canvas Size. In the resulting Canvas Size dialog box, change the Width and Height measurement increments to pixels. Then, increase both the Width and Height by 1 pixel. Leave the remaining settings as they are and click OK. Photoshop automatically fills the outer pixels of your canvas with your background color.

There are a number of shortcut key commands you can use to fill your documents. They are as follows:

* If you want to fill a layer with your foreground color, press [option][delete] ([Alt][Backspace] in Windows).

* To fill a layer with your background color, press [command][delete] ([Ctrl][Backspace] in Windows).

* To fill a layer with black, press the D key followed by [option][delete] ([Alt][Backspace] in Windows).

* To fill a layer with white, press the letter D followed by the letter X and then [option][delete] ([Alt][Backspace] in Windows).

Working with an image on a transparent background can be rather frustrating because of the annoying checkerboard pattern that signifies transparency. This is especially true if the image is grayscale and you're trying to do detail work. To hide the checkerboard, press [command]K ([Ctrl]K in Windows) to display the Preferences dialog box. Then, select Transparency & Gamut from the main pop-up menu that's set at the default of General. In the Transparency Settings section, select None from the Grid Size pop-up menu and click OK.

Have you ever created a selection and deselected it only to discover you need the selection again? Well, rather than wasting time reselecting it all over again, just save your selection. To do so, make your selection, and then while it's still active, choose Select > Save Selection. In the resulting Save Selection dialog box, name the selection and click OK. Now, when you need to access that selection, choose Select > Load Selection. In the resulting dialog box, choose your saved selection from the Channel pop-up menu and click OK.

The latest and greatest version of Photoshop has added a new tool for you to abuse--the Color Replacement tool. Using this tool you can make quick color changes in seconds. To see it in action, open a document to experiment on. Then, choose the Color Replacement tool from the Toolbox (it's hidden on the Healing Brush tool's flyout menu). Then, go to the tool options bar and set the Mode pop-up menu to Color, the Sampling pop-up menu to Once, and the Limits pop-up menu to Find Edges. Also, adjust your brush settings if necessary. Next, [option]-click ([Alt]-click in Windows) on the color you want to replace. Now, click on the Set Foreground Color swatch in the Toolbox and choose a new color to use in your image. Finally, just paint away the old color with the new. It's that easy!

Have you ever needed to add smoke to an image and struggled to come with an easy way to do so? Well, now you don't have to even think about it. To make instant smoke in Photoshop, first open a new document and fill the Background layer with black. Next, create a new layer to work on in the Layers palette and name the layer Smoke. Using a small, round brush tip, paint a white vertical strip in the center of your document. Then, use the Smudge tool to push and pull your line around until it looks like smoke. The more you smudge, the better your smoke will look.

When using the Save For Web command, you can preview how your images will appear on both a PC and a Mac. To do so, select File > Save For Web. In the resulting Save For Web dialog box, click on the arrow icon located in the top-right corner of the preview area. Then, select the platform in which you want to see your image.

When you're working on an extensive project in Photoshop, it's always a good idea to take a few snapshots as you go. That way, if you want to backtrack or something goes awry, you can click on a snapshot and get to work again. To create a snapshot, open the History palette and click the Create New Snapshot button at the base of the palette (it's the little camera icon). Upon doing so, Photoshop places a saved version of your file in the History palette. Then, if you need to access that image, just click on it.

If you have multiple layers of text that all has to be rasterized, you can do it in one fell swoop. Just choose Layer > Rasterize > All Layers. That's all there is to it!

The Background Eraser tool is great for removing unwanted backgrounds in an image. However, at times it can be trying to keep the tool where you want it as you erase. So, to make things much easier and more efficient, create a path around the object. First, select a large hard-edged brush from the Brush pop-up window on the tool options bar. Then, select the Pen tool and outline the object; make sure the path falls just outside of the object's edges. Next, choose Stroke Path from the Paths palette's pop-up menu. In the resulting dialog box, choose Background Eraser from the Tool pop-up menu and click OK. Photoshop automatically removes the edges around your image so you can go ahead and quickly erase the remaining background with ease.

When selecting a color for your designs, you don't have to use the Color Picker at all; instead, you can use the Color palette. To access the palette, choose Window > Color. Then, if you want to select colors in Grayscale, RGB, or CMYK, [shift]-click on the color bar at the base of the palette until you get the one you want and select a color. You can also select a different color mode from the Color palette's pop-up menu.

Typically, when using the Elliptical Marquee tool, Photoshop draws your selection from wherever you click the mouse initially. However, if you want to create a selection going from the center out, you can do so by holding down [shift][option] ([Shift][Alt] in Windows) in Photoshop 7.x and CS, or hold down just the [shift] key in version 6.x.

To add a stroke to a path, all you have to do is create your path. Then, select the brush you want to use for your stroke and press [enter]. Photoshop automatically strokes your path using the brush you selected.

Did you know that Photoshop CS allows you to run text along a path? Well, it does! Just create a path using the Pen tool. Then, select the Horizontal Type tool and click the insertion point on the path where you want your text to start. Finally, just type away.

A great way to draw attention to one portion of an image is to make it the only color object surrounded by gray imagery. A quick way to achieve this effect is to open a color image. Then, set your foreground color to black. Next, select the Brush tool (Paintbrush tool in version 6.x) and change the Mode pop-up menu from Normal to Color on the tool options bar. Now, using a soft, round brush, paint over the portion of your image you want to make grayscale. That's all there is to it!

When up close and personal with an image, zoomed in at around 300% or closer, it's rather easy to lose track of where you are. To avoid getting lost in enlarged pixels or having to reduce the image size and then zoom in again, use the Navigator palette instead. You can display the palette by choosing Window > Navigator. A thumbnail of your entire image will appear within the palette along with a red border that frames in the area you're working on. If you want to move from one area to another in your image, just click inside the red frame and drag where you want to go. As you do this your image moves in the same direction.

Every once in a while you may have to straighten out an image that's a bit skewed. There are a number of ways you can do this. For example, you could use the Crop tool or the Rotate tool. However, the fastest and most accurate method to use when straightening an image involves using the Measure tool. To see how it works, select the Measure tool from the Toolbox. Then, within your image, drag the pointer along a horizontal line that you want to be straight. Next, choose Image > Rotate Canvas > Arbitrary. In the resulting dialog box, leave the settings as they are and click OK. Photoshop automatically rotates the canvas for you, aligning your image with the line you drew using the Measure tool.

Have you ever wanted to incorporate more than one layer mask on a layer? Well, you can! Just add your first layer mask in the Layers palette as you normally would. Then, place that layer into a layer set and create a mask for the layer set. It's that easy!

Have you ever tried to apply a layer style to a Background layer? If so, then you know it isn't possible. However, you can make the Background layer an actual working layer by simply double-clicking on it in the Layers palette. When you do, the New Layer dialog box displays. Name the layer and click OK. You'll now be able to apply any layer style that you want.

When working on a document with multiple type layers, you can rasterize all of those layers at once when the time comes. Just choose Layer > Rasterize > All Layers. It's that easy.

Have you ever flattened and saved a document and then wanted to go back and make a change? If so, you can undo that save using a keyboard shortcut. Just press [option][command]Z ([Alt][Ctrl]Z in Windows) a few times until your file is back the way you want it.

When copying and pasting images from one document to another, Photoshop places them in the center of the new file by default. However, if you make a selection on the new document where you want the image to go, Photoshop centers the pasted image within that selection.

After creating a path, you can easily resize it if needed. To do so, select your path with the Path Component Selection tool. Then, select the Show Bounding Box check box on the tool options bar. This places a transform bounding box around your image, which you can then use to adjust the size of your path.

Typically when you want to fill an image you have to choose Edit > Fill to access the Fill dialog box. However, did you know that you can display this command using a key command? Just press [shift][delete] ([Shift][Backspace] in Windows).

Have you ever wanted to place a new layer below the one that's currently selected in the Layers palette? If you have, then you know that by default Photoshop 7.x always places new layers above the active layer. If you hold down the [command] key ([Ctrl] key in Windows) while clicking the Create A New Layer button at the base of the Layers palette, the new layer is placed below your active layer.

Have you ever wanted to make a red flower pink? Well, it's easier than you might think with Photoshop. Simply select an area of your image that you want to modify. Then, choose Image > Adjustment (Adjust in version 6.x) > Hue/Saturation. Next, select the Colorize check box and drag the hue slider back and forth until you locate the new color you want the area to be. Then, just click OK.

Have you ever opened a dialog box only to discover that it's the wrong filter or you didn't select the right area in your image to apply the effect to? Well, you can quickly close the dialog box without applying any effects to your image by pressing the [esc] key.

When using one of Photoshop's Shape tools, you'll find that once you click on your document and start drawing the shape you can't reposition it. Or can you? Of course you can! To do so, begin drawing your shape. When you need to reposition it, hold down the [spacebar] key and move your shape with the mouse. Then, release the [spacebar] key and continue drawing your shape.

Years ago, Photoshop had this great keyboard shortcut to access the Brushes palette. But, with the release of version 6.x, this shortcut disappeared. However, all is back to normal in version 7. To open the Brushes palette in the blink of an eye, simply press [F5].

Have you ever had to lighten or darken an image? Well, a great way to do this is by adjusting the image's Output Levels. To see how it works, open an image in Photoshop. Next, press [command]L ([Ctrl]L in Windows) to access the Levels dialog box. Then, to lighten the image, drag the black Output Levels slider toward the right. To darken the image, drag the white Output Levels slider to the left. Then, when you're happy with the results, click OK. That's all there is to it.

If you have your rulers visible, all you have to do to adjust the ruler settings is double-click on the actual ruler. This displays the Preferences dialog box, where you can then adjust the rulers (and units) settings.

Photoshop 7.x offers a whole new workflow, but in some respects, it's returned to its old ways. The best example is the return of the Brushes palette, which disappeared in version 6.x as a pop-up menu on the tool options bar. The Brushes palette can be accessed in version 7.x by selecting Window > Brushes. The Brushes palette is titled Brush Presets, and operates more like a dialog box than a palette. That is, when you're done making your adjustments and return to your image, the palette disappears. This can be a challenge to get used to, but the extensive options grouped in this one palette make it a valuable feature.

To tell you everything the Brushes palette can do is a topic for a complete article, but in this tip, let's take a quick look at how you create a basic new brush. Select the inverted arrow next to the active brush in the tool options bar and then click on the Brush Preset Picker to display the menu. By selecting New Brush from the menu, the Brush Name dialog box opens. Give your brush a name and click OK.

Huh? No New Brush dialog box? Well, this is where making a new brush in Photoshop 7.x gets a little weird. Your new brush is saved with the settings of the active brush, so you really have a duplicate brush at this time. Select the last brush in the brush list and open the Brushes palette. Now, click on the Brush Tip Shape menu choice in the palette and you'll see some of your familiar settings again. Use these settings and the many other options available in the Brushes palette to create your brush. When you're done making your selections, return to your image and start working; your new brush attributes are automatically saved.

To change the color of an object that extends beyond the boundary of the canvas, don't make a selection at all. Instead, click the Lock Transparent Pixels button for that layer and then fill it with a new color. This changes the color of the entire graphic, even the part that's unseen.

Did you know that you can convert any selection you make in Photoshop into a path? To do so, just create a selection. Then, go to the Paths palette and click the Make Work Path From Selection button at the base of the palette or choose Make Work Path from the palette's pop-up menu. It's that easy!

Rather than actually flattening your entire document to see how things will look or to experiment on, you can quickly create a layer containing a flattened version of your work. To do so, create a new layer in the Layers palette. Then, hide any layers that you don't want in the flattened version by clicking the Eye icon next to the layer so that it's no longer visible. Now, with your newly created layer selected, hold down [command][option] ([Ctrl][Alt] in Windows) and choose Merge Visible from the Layers palette's pop-up menu. Your new layer now contains all of the layers you left visible.

Creating monotone images has never been easier. To quickly add an overall hue to a grayscale image, first make sure that the image is in RGB mode. Then, choose Image > Adjustments (Adjust in version 6.x) > Variations. Now, just click on the thumbnail that's the color you want your image to be. Then, click OK to apply it.

Did you know you can access many of your palettes in Photoshop using function keys? The benefit of this is that you can show or hide specific palettes to free up desktop space when you work. By default the Color palette's function key is [F6], the Layer palette's key is [F7], the Info palette's key is [F8], and the Actions palette's key is [F9]. Because not every palette has a function key, you can dock certain palettes together so they'll be affected the same way as a palette with a function key. For example, dock the Swatches palette with the Color palette. Then, press [F6] to hide the palette and press [F6] again to display it. As you can see, this brings up both palettes. By arranging your palettes in this manner, you'll save time and help maintain a tidy workspace. It's definitely worth it.

Enhancing the colors in an image can be a relatively simple process. Do not believe us? Try it for yourself; open an RGB image to work on. Then, create a new layer in the Layers palette. Now, choose Edit > Fill. In the resulting Fill dialog box, choose 50% Gray from the Use pop-up menu and click OK. Now, in the Layers palette, change the blending mode of the layer to Color Burn to darken the image so that it's oversaturated. Also, lower the Opacity of the layer to 70%. Next, select the Brush tool (Paintbrush tool in version 6.x) with a soft, round tip. Then, on the tool options bar, set the brush's Opacity to 20%. Also, make sure the foreground color is set to white. Now, paint over the areas you want to lighten. It's color correction made easy!

When working with grayscale images that are lacking contrast, you can apply a Levels adjustment layer for a quick fix. To see how it works, open an image in Photoshop. Then, in the Layers palette, click the Create New Fill Or Adjustment Layer button and choose Levels from its pop-up menu. In the resulting Levels dialog box, leave the settings as they are and click OK. Now, change your adjustment layer's blending mode from Normal to Hard Light in the Layers palette. At this point, you can fine-tune your results by double-clicking on the Levels thumbnail in the Layers palette and adjusting the midtone, shadow, and highlight sliders.

If you have an image that's laced with small, random spots, dust, and scratches, you can use the Blur tool to remove them. To do so, open your image in Photoshop. Then, create a new layer to work on in the Layers palette. Select the Blur tool from the Toolbox and select the Use All Layers check box on the tool options bar. To erase light spots, set the tool's Mode to Darken on the tool options bar, and to eliminate dark spots, set the mode to Lighten. Then, just click and hold the tool over the problem spots until they're gone.

Have you ever wanted to turn a photograph into a sketch? If so, there's a really easy way to do so. Open an RGB image in Photoshop. Then, choose Filter > Stylize > Find Edges. Now, choose Image > Adjustments (Adjust in version 6.x) > Desaturate. That's all there is to it!

When using the Brush tool (Paintbrush tool in version 6.x), there are times when you have to do detailed work and times when you're making broad changes. Because of this, Photoshop provides you with different brush cursor displays--Precise and Brush Size. To quickly switch back and forth from one to the other, just press the [caps lock] key.

When creating a document that will eventually be converted from RGB to CMYK, it can sometimes be difficult to picture how the colors will look upon conversion. To eliminate any guesswork, why not work on your RGB document while previewing it in CMYK?

To do so, open an RGB image in Photoshop. Then, choose Window > Documents > New Window. Doing so opens a second view of your document. Next, choose View > Proof Setup > Working CMYK. Now go back to your original document and work away while previewing everything in CMYK.

Have you ever needed to align objects that are on separate layers? To do this quickly and easily, in the Layers palette just link the layers containing the objects you want to align. Then, apply whichever type of alignment you desire.

When feathering a selection using the Feather command, there's no way to tell how your final results will appear until you actually apply the feather. So, if you want to preview your effect, you can use a quick mask. To see how it works, open an image in Photoshop. Then, make a selection of the area in your image that you want feathered. Next, press Q to enter Quick Mask mode. Upon doing so, your selection appears red. Now, choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. In the resulting dialog box, you'll be able to preview the effect, so adjust the blur until you're satisfied with the amount of feathering being applied to your selection and click OK. Press Q again to get your selection back, and then choose Select > Inverse to select the area of your image that you want to delete. Finally, press [delete] and deselect your image for a perfect feather.

When creating multi-layered documents in Photoshop, it can sometimes get a little confusing as to what image is on what layer, especially if you didn't name your layers. To get a better view of things, you can increase the size of your layer thumbnails by holding down the [control] key (right-click in Windows) and clicking on an open area of the Layers palette. Select Large from the resulting pop-up menu to bring your thumbnails into focus.

Do not limit yourself by having your layer styles attached to a layer; put them on their own layers. To do so, apply a style as usual, and then choose Layer > Layer Style > Create Layers. Now you can adjust your layer style without worrying about the image you originally applied it to.

When overlapping images and applying blending modes you don't really have any special options to adjust how your images are combined. However, if you use Photoshop Advanced Blending options, you can control how these modes affect your images. To see how it works, open an RGB document in Photoshop. Then, place two separate images on the document, each on its own layer. Now, select the top layer in the Layers palette. Then, choose Blending Options from the Add A Layer Style pop-up menu. In the Layer Style dialog box, you can select a Blend Mode to apply and fine-tune it using the Advanced Blending options.

Typically, when painting, brush strokes start out dark and fade as you stroke the brush. To mimic this effect in version 7.x, select the Brush tool in the Toolbox. Then, go to the Brushes palette and highlight Other Dynamics in the Brush Presets section. Next, select Fade from the Control pop-up menu listed under Opacity Jitter, and enter 20 in the text box next to it. Once you've done that, select Fade from the Control pop-up menu listed under Flow Jitter. In version 6.x, select the Paintbrush in the Toolbox, and click the Brush Dynamics button on the tool options bar (it's a Paintbrush icon with an arrow next to it). In the resulting pop-up window, select Fade from the Opacity pop-up menu. Then, set the number of Steps for your fade to 20. If you want a longer fade, increase the number of steps and if you want a shorter fade decease the number. Then, paint away!

Have you ever made adjustments to an image in a dialog box and decided in mid-process that you weren't happy with the changes taking place? Adobe has built in a nifty little option to reset your changes. To see how this works, open an image in Photoshop. Then, choose Image > Adjust > Hue/Saturation. In the resulting dialog box, drag the Hue slider from 0 to 180. The image looks awful, doesn't it? Now, rather than dragging the slider back to its original position or canceling out of the dialog box, hold down the [option] key ([Alt] key in Windows). This changes the Cancel button to a Reset button. Just click Reset and watch your image go back to the way it was.

What's the quickest way to see an image in full size? There are actually two ways. You can either double-click on the Hand tool in the Toolbox or press [command]0 ([Ctrl]0 in Windows).

To change the number of files that are available in the Open Recent submenu, choose Edit > Preferences > File Handling in Mac OS 9.x or Windows; or choose Photoshop > Preferences > File Handling in Mac OS X. Then, change the value in the Recent File List Contains x Files text box.

The easiest way to get to ImageReady 7.0 while in Photoshop 7.x is to press [command][shift]M ([Ctrl][Shift]M in Windows).

To look at a thumbnail "slide show" of image files while still in Photoshop 7.x, don't forget about Photoshop File Browser. It's a quick and easy way to find and select the image file you want. To open the File Browser, choose Window > File Browser, or select the File Browser tab on the tool options bar. To open the tool options bar, choose Window > Options.

Do you like the way your workspace is set up and want to quickly retrieve the arrangement every time you open a file? In Photoshop 7.x, you can save your workspace arrangement. Choose Window > Workspace > Save Workspace. In the resulting Save Workspace dialog box, enter a workspace name in the Name text box. To retrieve your workspace arrangement after you've opened a file, go to Window > Workspace and select your workspace setup from the menu.

Have you ever tried to merge a layer with the layer below it and lost all of the effects applied to that upper layer? This is because when you choose Merge Down from the Layers palette's pop-up menu, Photoshop only applies the blending mode of the bottom to layer to the merged version. However, if you select Merge Visible, and hide any layers that you don't want combined, all of your blending modes will be preserved and your merged layer will look exactly as is does onscreen.

It's not just a page-layout application issue - Photoshop cuts off the top and/or bottom of text as well. To fix this you actually have to change a setting in Adobe Type Manager (ATM). To do so, launch ATM, then under the Preserve section select the Character Shapes option button rather than Line Spacing.

Save time adjusting your text by using key commands. When adjusting the tracking or the spacing between letters, avoid the Character palette all together. Instead, highlight your text that needs adjusting and press [option][left arrow] ([Alt][Left Arrow] in Windows) to tighten the spacing and [option][right arrow] ([Alt][Right Arrow] in Windows) to add space between your letters.

When creating multi-image documents, you're usually dragging a series of images onto one document. Generally, this is a quick and easy way to get your images where you want them. However, that's not necessarily the case seeing that the image is placed wherever your cursor was when you happened to release the mouse. This haphazardness can be avoided by holding the Shift key while you dragging your image. By doing so each image will automatically be centered on the page.

When creating a metallic faux finish you can enhance the effect by sharpening it. Just choose Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask. Then, in the resulting dialog box, crank up the Amount to a minimum of 300, a Radius of 1 and a Threshold of 5. This will really bring out the shine.

Occasionally, you may find that your document just doesn't have a background layer or maybe you turned it into a regular layer. (Just a side note, if you don't have a background layer to begin with, it's because you set the document Contents option to Transparent.) To make a new background layer, create a new layer in the Layers palette. Then choose Layer > New > Background From Layer. Photoshop will automatically fill the layer with white and place it at the base of your palette.

Did you know that by default Photoshop saves a flattened version of your PSD files along with your layered version whenever you save? It's true. This is because of a preference setting that makes your files compatible with older versions of the application (version 2). To turn this preference off choose Photoshop > Preferences > File Handling (Edit> Preferences > Saving Files in versions 5.5 and 6.x) and deselect the Always Maximize Compatibility For Photoshop (PSD) Files (Maximize Backwards Compatibility In Photoshop Format in versions 5.5 and 6.x).

When working on a document, there are times when you want to hide a Layer Mask. To do so, you can go to the Layer menu and choose Disable Layer Mask, but a faster way to do this is by holding down the [shift] key and clicking on the Layer Mask symbol right in the Layers palette.

Minor image touch-ups can be done rather quickly using the Blur tool. If you have an image with a few random scratches or dust bunnies on it, select the Blur tool. Then, in the tool options bar, change the Strength(Pressure in version 6) to 20% and the Mode to Lighten. Then using a soft round brush, blur your image. The problem area will disappear.

Did you know that you can make a copy of an object that you want to transform using a simple keyboard shortcut? Just press [option] [command]T ([Alt]T in Windows). This will automatically copy the object while accessing the Free Transform function. However, be aware that the copied image will be placed on the same layer as your original object.

As we all know, sliders never seem to move exactly where we want them. It's an evil trick Adobe has played on all of the impatient Photoshop users in the world. So, rather than struggle with moving the slider back and forth until you finally just type in the percentage you want, use the Arrow keys. To do so, just click on the arrow icon in the Opacity text box. Then press on the Left and Right Arrow keys to move the slider 1% at a time or [shift] click to make it move at 10% intervals.

When you click on a color swatch in the Swatches palette, the color will automatically become your Foreground color. However, did you know that if you [option]-click ([Alt]-click in Windows) on a color swatch it automatically becomes your Background color? It's true.

If you want to quickly add a swatch to your Swatches palette, just set your Foreground color to the color you want and then [shift]-click on an open space in the Swatches palette. To delete a swatch from the palette hold down the [command] key ([Ctrl] key in Windows) and click on the swatch.

Beware if you try this trick in Photoshop 7, it works in reverse. To set your Background color, [command]-click ([Ctrl]-click in Windows), and to delete a swatch, [option]-click ([Alt]-click in Windows).

Though Steve Jobs mandated that no Easter eggs appear in code written by Apple developers, Adobe Management fortunately never made such a rule. To prove it to yourself, hold down the [command] key ([Ctrl] in Windows) as you choose Photoshop > About Photoshop. (Choose Help > About Photoshop if you aren't currently running Mac OS X or higher.) When you do, you'll see a different splash screen than the standard one. To provide a bit of heritage, they've even included the belching cat from previous versions. Liquid Sky, by the way, was the project name for Photoshop 7. Also, if you hold down the [option] key ([Alt] in Windows) as the credits begin to scroll, they'll roll along at a faster rate.

Placing a photo on a scanner isn't as easy as one may think. Many times when you place the scanner lid down your image moves a bit causing a crooked scan. However, you can straighten your image out quickly using the Measure tool. Just select the Measure tool and click and drag it along the top edge of your image. Then, choose Image > Rotate Canvas > Arbitrary. In the resulting dialog box, you'll see that Photoshop measured the amount needed to rotate your image for you, so simply press OK to straighten things out.

Oftentimes, you'll see some noise in digital photos. An easy way to eliminate the grainy texture is to go to the Channels palette and select the Blue channel. Then choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and enter a Radius of 1 or 2.

When working on detailed areas of an image it's hard to know how the whole picture looks with your changes unless you constantly zoom in and out. This can be quite time consuming and annoying to say the least. So, a quick solution is to have one window open with your zoomed in area and another window open showing your entire image. You can do so by choosing View > New View in Photoshop 6.x, but in version 7 it's changed so you have to choose Window > Documents > New Window.

If you want to soften your brush while you're working, without changing the brush size, simply press [shift][. To decrease the softness press [shift]].

Have you ever wanted to adjust the color of an area of an image without going through a series of color-correcting steps? Well, here's a quick little fixer-upper that allows you to adjust the color balance of an image. Say you have a photo of water, but the water looks a bit too green. To correct this, open your image in Photoshop. Then, go to the Layers palette and click the Create New Fill Or Adjustment Layer button. Select Color Balance from the pop-up menu. In the resulting dialog box, drag the Blue slider all the way to the right to make the water a nice blue. Then click OK. Depending on the color cast, you'll have to use different sliders to achieve your desired results. Now, your whole image has been adjusted, so it will look pretty bad, except for the area that needed correcting. To get rid of the cast in areas of your photo where you don't need it, simply select the Paintbrush tool and paint out the color.

Have you ever had to place a series of objects, like snowflakes or popcorn into one document? Well, rather than copying and pasting them over and over again, you can turn the shape into a custom brush. To do so, select the object that you want to use as a brush. Then, press [command]C ([Ctrl]C in windows) to copy the selection. Open a new document and press [command]V ([Ctrl]V in Windows) to paste the image into the new document. Now, choose Edit > Define Brush. In the resulting dialog box, name your brush and click OK. Your custom shape brush will now appear in the Brushes palette (Brush tool options bar in version 6).

Forget PowerPoint; did you know you can make a faux slide show using Photoshop? To do so, just open a series of images in Photoshop. Then, press [control][tab] to cycle through the images. Next, click the Full Screen Mode button at the base of the Toolbox and press [tab] to hide your palettes. Now show your presentation by pressing [control][tab].

Although it's rare that you may actually set a few columns of text in Photoshop, there may be a time when it's necessary. So how do you create consistently sized columns? The answer is simple; just select the Type tool and hold down the [option] key ([Alt] key in Windows) while dragging the mouse pointer to make a text box. Upon doing so, the Paragraph Text Size dialog box opens and you can enter the exact size you want your column to be.

Undoubtedly, you've nested a series of palettes together before for easy access. However, did you know that you could dock palettes one on top of the other? This can be quite convenient if you want to see all of your palettes at the same time rather than displaying one at a time. So to dock your palettes, drag the title tab of one palette to the bottom edge of another palette until a thin double black line appears. Then, release the palette and it will automatically be docked.

Have you ever had your image at that almost perfect stage and then tried a few more filters, making it look worse than it did initially? Well, if you had taken a snapshot of the image when it was looking good, then you could quickly go back and start again. In order to take a snapshot, go to the History palette and click the Create New Snapshot button. Then you have a saved version of your image at that point to go back to just in case. You might even want to make multiple snapshots after you make any significant changes for added security. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Did you know that you can single out an area on a layer and make it transparent? To see how it works, select part of your image on a layer (this won't work on the Background layer). Then choose Edit > Fill and select Clear from the Blending Mode pop-up menu. Lower the Opacity as well and click OK to apply the change. That's all there is to it.

Rather than changing one text layer at a time, you can adjust them all at once. Simply select one of your layers containing text, then link the other layers with text to that layer. Now, with the Type tool selected, hold down the [shift] key and make any necessary changes, such as selecting a new font or color for your type. Photoshop automatically applies the changes to all of the linked text.

After creating an action, you can save it as a text document as well. This way you can print out the steps of your action and have a hard copy for future reference. To do so, go to the Actions palette and select the action that you want to print. Then hold down [option] [command] ([Alt][Ctrl] in Windows) while selecting Save Actions from the Actions palette's pop-up menu. In the resulting dialog box, save your file as a TXT file and you're all set.

Unlike Photoshop, ImageReady's Eyedropper tool can sample colors from anything. To see it in action, create a new document, select the Eyedropper tool, and hold down the mouse button. Then go ahead and drag the Eyedropper all over your screen to sample a color from anywhere. Amazing, isn't it?

Admit it; you're not always perfect. When scanning images, undoubtly you've gotten that one scan that was a bit askew when you placed it on the scanner bed. It happens to us all. So how do you straighten it out? It's easy; simply use the Measure tool. Just drag the tool's pointer along the top edge of your image, then choose Image > Rotate Canvas > Arbitrary. Click OK and Photoshop applies the information from your measurement and straightens things out for you. Now that's perfect.

Did you know that if you click and hold on the Preview window in a filter dialog box that you can see a before preview of your image? Then when you release the mouse it displays the image with the filter applied. Otherwise, you can select and deselect the Preview check box. But if that isn't an option, clicking on the Preview window is definitely the way to go.

Photoshop demands a lot of RAM, as we all know. So how can you tell if you have enough RAM? To find out, open a document in Photoshop, something that's reflective of what you normally use the application for. Then run a few filters and do some touch-up work on the image. After about five or 10 minutes, you're ready to check your RAM. To do so, click and hold the arrow icon found at the base of your document window, next to the Magnification and Document Size readouts. Select Efficiency from the resulting pop-up menu. If your Efficiency readout is 100% you're golden; if it's 75% or less you may want to get some more RAM.

If you want to adjust the letter kerning (tracking) of your text, you don't have to mess around with entering specific values. Instead you can use key commands. To tighten the spacing between letters, highlight your text and then press [option][left arrow] ([Alt][Left Arrow] in Windows), and to add more space, press [option][right arrow] ([Alt][Right Arrow] in Windows).

Do not you hate it when there isn't a keyboard shortcut listed next to a command? Well, if you haven't noticed, check out the Fill command. You'd think a command as popular as this one would have a keyboard shortcut. Well, it does; they just didn't want us to know. To access the Fill dialog box, press [shift][control][delete] ([Shift][Backspace] in Windows).

Many times when making quick selections using the Magic Wand tool or the Lasso tool the final outcome isn't as crisp as we'd like it to be. To fix this, after making a selection enter into Quick Mask Mode by pressing Q on the keyboard. Then, choose Filter > Noise > Median. In the resulting dialog box, increase the Radius until your selection is smooth. Then click OK. After smoothing out your selection, return to Standard Mode by pressing Q again. That's all there is to it!

How often do you find yourself scrolling through 10 or 20 open Photoshop files when working on a project? Normally when you want to access one document or another you have to click on it to bring it to the foreground. However, an easier and much faster way to do this is by pressing [control][tab]. By doing so, you can go from one document to another in the blink of eye.

When using the Eraser tool you risk losing a lot if you're just erasing pixels without backup, but this doesn't have to be the case. A way to play it safe when erasing is to use the Erase To History option. By selecting this feature in the tool options bar, you can unerase anything back to the way it looked when you first opened the document.

Have you ever tried to hid the path that appears when you use one of Photoshop Shape tools to create a shape? If you click on the Paths palette's pop-up menu, you'll discover that there isn't an option to hide the path. So rather than search for this option, just press [shift][command]H ([Shift][Ctrl]H in Windows). Not only will this hide your path, but it will also show it.

If you're familiar with the Clouds filter in Photoshop, then you know that the clouds tend to look more like parchment paper (which is a good thing sometimes). If you want to intensify the effect a bit, by adding more contrast, then hold down the [option] key ([Alt] key in Windows) while you select the filter.

When sending files to print vendors and such there are certain things that a designer must always include. For example, if the document is a QuarkXPress file you'll need the main document, the images, the fonts and so on. However, when it comes to Photoshop you don't have to do the typical "collect for output." When type is included in a Photoshop document all you have to do is save the document as an EPS. Just remember to select the Include Vector Data check box in the EPS Options dialog box. This way your font is actually outlines rather than a font call.

Creating perfect skin can be a simple task when Photoshop is involved. All you have to do is place a copy of your original image onto a new layer. Then, apply a Gaussian Blur of approximately 9 pixels to the copied layer. Change the layer's opacity to a percentage ranging between 50 and 70. Then, use the Eraser tool to erase the entire copied image except for your model's skin.

When you create a new gradient, it will automatically appear in the Gradient Editor pop-up window. However, if you decide to replace the gradient set or edit the gradient, your original gradient will disappear. To prevent this from happening, make sure that you save your gradient as part of a preset.

To begin, create a new document in Photoshop and select the Linear Gradient tool. Then, select the Transparent Stripes preset gradient and fill the document with the gradient. Next, choose Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates. In the resulting dialog box, select the Polar To Rectangular option button and click OK. Reapply the filter a few times by pressing [command]F ([Ctrl]F in Windows). Then, choose Filter > Distort > Polar Coordinates again, this time selecting the Rectangular To Polar option button and click OK. Reapply this filter a few times. Then just keep experimenting until you've created the perfect funky background.

Have you ever had to zoom in on an image so much that you no longer have a grasp on the entire image? This is often the case when doing detailed photo retouching. A workaround for this is to have your close-up view and then to create another view showing the entire document. This way you can watch how your changes are affecting the whole image. To create another window to view your document select View > New View. This will open a copy of your image. Then size down the window and place it next to your original document.

Take advantage of Photoshop Color Fill adjustment layer. By using an adjustment layer to tone your graphic you don't have to change the data of your original image. To see how it works, open a grayscale image in Photoshop. Then convert the image to RGB mode. Now click the New Fill Or Adjustment Layer button at the base of the Layers palette and select Solid Color from the pop-up menu. Choose a color for your fill. Then change the layer's blending mode to Color. You now have an adjustable duotone image.

If you have an image that is too dark or lacks contrast, a quick way to lighten it up is by using a blending mode. To see how it works, open an image in Photoshop. Then make a copy of the image onto a new layer. Change the copied image's blending mode to Screen to lighten the entire image. If you want to add a bit more contrast to your image as well as lighten it, change the copied layer's blending mode to Overlay.

If you want to move the contents of a layer by 1-pixel increments, click on the layer you want to modify and select the Move tool. Then simply press the arrow keys in the direction you want to move your image. If you want to move the contents of a layer in 10-pixels increments, do the same as above, but this time hold down the [shift] key as you press the arrow keys.

Did you know that you can change the pressure, opacity and/or exposure of the Paintbrush, Airbrush, Pencil, Blur, Sharpen, Smudge, Dodge, Burn and Sponge tools in 10-percent increments by pressing a number on the keyboard or keypad? Well, you can. Just press 1 to change the setting to 10 percent, 2 for 20 and so on until you get to 0 for 100.

To enhance your images tonal values and contrast, you must first find the black and white points within the image. You can do this using a Threshold adjustment layer, but first select the Color Sampler tool from the Toolbox. Now, click the Create New Fill Or Adjustment Layer button at the base of the Layers palette and select Threshold from the pop-up menu. Then in the resulting dialog box, select Threshold from the Type pop-up menu.

When the Threshold dialog box opens, your image will be converted into a black and white rendering. First locate the black point by dragging the slider all the way to the left of the dialog box until you see black areas within your image. Then use the Color Sampler to mark a black area within your image. To find the white point, drag the slider all the way to the right until you see white areas within your image. Take a sample of the white area too and click OK. Now you can use these points as reference points and adjust the levels within your image according to your new black and white points.

A common problem with images is a lack of contrast. This is sometimes caused by a poor quality channel--you know, the bad apple that ruins the entire barrel? You can use the Channel Mixer to emphasize a good layer to fix a bad one. While this isn't going to work miracles, it can save your hide when your client is on his way over and time is short. To determine which channel is flat, look at each one individually. Now, click the Create New Fill Or Adjustment Layer button from the pop-up menu and choose Channel Mixer as your new adjustment layer. Select the problem output channel from the pop-up menu. Then, adjust the sliders in order to add the detail from the other channels to the channel that was lacking without sacrificing what little detail you had in the problem layer. Then click OK.

You may find that when you're using small point size fonts in Photoshop they appear fuzzy. To keep your text looking crisp, turn off the Anti-aliasing function. To do so, select None from the Set The Anti-aliasing Method pop-up menu in the Type tool options bar.

Have you ever had to zoom in on an image so much that you no longer have a grasp on the entire image? This is often the case when doing detailed photo retouching. A workaround for this is to have your close-up view and then to create another view showing the entire document. This way you can watch how your changes are affecting the whole image. To create another window to view your document select View > New View. This will open a copy of your image. Then size down the window and place it next to your original document.

Interested in the effect but not the hassle of printing? Then, rather than actually having your design embossed (although it's much more elegant when it's real) fake it in Photoshop. First, create a new document and fill the canvas with a color. Then, choose Edit > Fill and, in the resulting dialog box, select Pattern from the Use pop-up menu. Select a pattern from the Custom Pattern pop-up menu and change the Blending Mode to Overlay. Click OK. You should now have a nice textured paper to work on. Now, type any word or words of your choice on your document in black. To give your text the embossed look, select the text layer in the Layers palette and choose Filter > Stylize > Emboss. You'll then be prompted to render your layer. Go ahead and click OK. In the resulting dialog box, adjust the Height of your emboss to 15 pixels and the Amount to 90% and click OK to apply the effects. Now go to the Layers palette and change the text layer's mode to Hard Light. Your text now has the illusion of being embossed.

When reducing the size of a photograph by more than half (say from 1600 x 1200 pixels to 400 x 300 pixels), reducing in steps will maintain more of the image detail. To do this, open an image (we'll say it's 1600 x 1200), and then reduce it by half (to 800 x 600) and then half again (to 400 x 300). By doing this, your reduced image will retain much more detail than if you went from 1600 x 1200 right to 400 x 300.

Did you know that you can record captions, credits, bylines, copyright information and more to your Photoshop documents? To do so, choose File > File Info. In the resulting dialog box enter in all of the necessary text and then click Save.

Occasionally, you may find that when you apply the Unsharp Mask filter a halo appears around areas of your image. To eliminate the halo, change the color mode to Lab, and select the Lightness channel. Then apply the Unsharp Mask filter to your image. This will give you more control over how the filter is applied.

If you just have to create a simple path of a star or square, then take advantage of Photoshop shape tools. Select the Custom Shape tool and choose the shape you want to draw. Then, in the tool options bar, click the Create New Work Path button. This will allow you to create a path. Then draw your shape.

To make a copy of a layer easily in Photoshop, first click on the Layers palette and select the layer that you want to copy. Then click on the document and [command][option]-drag (Select the Move tool and [Alt]-drag in Windows) the layer you want to copy inside the image window. This allows you to copy the layer and reposition it at the same time.

You can easily add and subtract lights when using the Lighting Effects filter in Photoshop. To duplicate a light in the Preview window, just [option]-drag ([Alt]-drag in Windows) the light's focus point. To delete an active light, simply press [delete] rather than dragging it onto the Trash icon.

You can create custom color palettes from photographs easily in Photoshop. First find a photo to fit your theme. For example, a picture of trees with all the leaves changing color in fall would create a great fall color palette. Then open the image in Photoshop. Choose Window > Show Swatches to display the Swatches palette. Then using the Eyedropper tool and sample a color from your image and choose New Swatch from the Swatches palette pop-up menu. In the resulting dialog box click ok to make your new swatch and repeat the process until you have all the colors you want. Then choose, Save Swatches from the Swatches palette pop-up menu for future use.

First, open a new document in which to work. Next, select the Type tool and set your text in black. Try to use a nice bold font. Then open the image that you want to place inside your type and drag it into your text document using the Move tool. Make sure that the image is in the layer above your text layer in the Layers palette. Press [command]G ([Ctrl]G in Windows) to group the layers. Your image now appears inside the text. And what's more, your text is still fully editable.

An easy way to convert a color image to grayscale is by using the Channel Mixer command. Choose Image > Adjust > Channel Mixer, and in the resulting dialog box, select the Monochrome check box. This converts everything to shades of gray. Then adjust the Red, Green and Blue sliders to customize your gray values.

To import paths from FreeHand 9/10 when importing into Photoshop 5.5/6, first select the paths with the Pointer tool. Then, choose Edit > Copy Special. When the Copy Special dialog box opens, select EPS as your copy format and click OK. Now, open your Photoshop page and select Edit > Paste. In the Paste dialog box, choose the Paste As Paths option button and click OK. Your paths are imported to Photoshop as a work path. This only pastes the paths--you'll have to save your file as an EPS and render it in Photoshop to import the design.

When you have several layers on a page in Photoshop and have a hard time figuring out what layer is what, on the Mac, just press [control][option] on the image in that document and that image's layer is selected in the Layers palette. In Windows, right-click on the image and a pop-up menu displays, showing which layer the image is on. Or, if you're using Version 6 and you don't want to bother with right-clicking or pressing key commands, select the Move tool and then in the tool options bar select the Auto Select Layer check box. Then as long as you're using the Move tool, whenever you click on an object Photoshop will go to that layer.

One problem that Photoshop users face is getting CAD files imported, because many times a DXF file will choke the program. With Cad Publisher software you can process DXF files into Illustrator, PostScript, EPS, Acrobat PDF, Windows Meta File, Enhanced Windows Meta File, BMP, TIFF and PNG formats in monochrome, color and color separations, providing solutions for CAD, graphics, DTP, printing and electronic products. The output formats let you place files into PageMaker, QuarkXPress, InDesign and Microsoft Word, Web layout programs, edit files in Illustrator, Corel, FreeHand and Photoshop, print files to any PostScript or non-PostScript printer and view files in Adobe Acrobat, etc. You can download a free version at www.jwgraphics.com.au.

Do not mix image maps and image slices in the same image. Not only will ImageReady have a hard time writing the HTML, but the browser might choose to ignore the competing references.

If you use the Magic Wand tool for making selections or have to expand or contract a selection, you'll find that the selection is a bit messy. To clean it up choose Select > Modify > Smooth and enter a radius value equal to the amount that that you expanded or contracted your selection by or try a radius between 2 and 6.

If you want to apply the same transformations to more than one path adjust your initial path then press [command][shift]T ([Control][Shift]T in Windows) to apply the transformation on another path.

If you're having trouble transferring files from Photoshop to Illustrator, launch Illustrator. Then choose Edit > Preferences > Files & Clipboards. In the resulting dialog box, select the AICB (a format similar to EPS) check box and click the Preserve Paths option button. Click OK.

When you apply the Unsharp Mask filter to a color image, the filter automatically adjusts each color channel causing unwanted halos around the edges of your image. To keep this from happening, convert your image to Lab mode by choosing Image > Mode > Lab Color. Then apply the Unsharp Mask to the Lightness layer only in the Channels palette. This will bring out the detail without affecting the colors of your image.

The Unsharp Mask filter, contrary to its name, sharpens and adds contrast to images. Knowing what settings to plug in for this filter can be a bit perplexing. So, rather than just arbitrarily guessing what numbers to put in for the Amount, Radius and Threshold try the following settings. For images that are already sharp and hold a lot of detail, set the Amount to 70%, the Radius to 4 pixels and Threshold to 3 pixels. For soft or slightly blurred images set the Amount to 180%, the Radius to 2 pixels and the Threshold to 6 pixels. From there you can make slight adjustments for maximum quality. And remember that it's good practice to over sharpen the image a bit (just a bit) because it will be softened when it's printed.

If you want to create an action that contains multiple layers you may find yourself running into a few problems. Because actions record everything exactly as it is, if you click on a layer with a specific name, the action will always look for that layer. So, if the image that you want to run an action on doesn't have a layer with that name, it won't work. To avoid this entirely, use key commands to select your layers, this way the action records where the layer is, not the name of the layer. To select a layer above the current layer choose [option] ([Alt] for Windows). To select the layer below the current layer choose [option][ ([Alt][ for Windows).

The History palette can be quite useful, but it can also be a memory hog. To see how many History States you have, choose Edit > Preferences > General. If you're working with low resolution files then go ahead and allot yourself a minimum of 20 History States, but try not to go over 40. If you're working with predominantly large files set it to 3 or 4. This should keep you from getting that annoying warning about not having enough memory whenever you try to run a filter.

In Photoshop 6, if you choose Edit > Preferences > General, you'll get the Preferences dialog box set to the General Photoshop settings. In the Options section, deselect the Save Palette Locations check box and then click OK. This way Photoshop won't remember what you've done with the palettes and you'll start with a clean slate each time you launch the program. In Photoshop 5 and 5.5, choose File > Preferences > General. In the resulting dialog box, click the Reset Palette Locations To Default button to clean up your screen whenever you want. You can also deselect the Save Palette Locations check box as well. To realign the palettes while you're working, just [shift]-click on the title bar of the palette to snap it to the nearest screen edge.

To convert a layer style layer into a real layer, choose Layer > Layer Style > Create Layer. You'll end up with as many layers as were in the effect. You can then merge the layers and work with them like standard layers.

You aren't limited to just the patterns that come in the Layer Style dialog box. You can make your own custom patterns. To save a pattern, create a new document that's 1" x 1" at 100 ppi and fill it with your graphic. To make sure your pattern tiles properly, you may have to use the Offset filter. Once you're happy with what you have, choose Edit > Define Pattern. In the resulting dialog box, name your pattern and click OK. The next time you open the Layer Style dialog box, your new pattern will be appear in both the Texture and Pattern Overlay sections.

Have you ever made a selection and then clicked on another tool and deselected your selection only to discover you still needed it? Well, Photoshop has a great feature called Reselect. You can access the last selection that you created by pressing [command][shift]D ([Ctrl][Shift]D in Windows).

Have you ever experienced random errors or discovered that one of your tools was missing? As with all software, Photoshop occasionally gets a little rambunctious and misbehaves. So, if you're using 5 or 5.5 open the Photoshop application folder and delete the file named Adobe Photoshop 5/5.5 Prefs file located in the Adobe Photoshop 5/5.5 Settings folder. This will force Photoshop to re-create your preferences. Then restart Photoshop and more than likely all your problems will be solved. In version 6, open the System Folder, and then open the Preferences folder. Inside this folder, you'll find the Adobe Photoshop 6 Settings folder; open it up and get rid of the Adobe Photoshop 6 Prefs file. Restart Photoshop and viola. Things should be running smoothly.

Cleaning up messy line art can be a breeze. More than likely, if it's line art, then the image was saved as a bitmap. Open the image in Photoshop and convert it to Grayscale by selecting Image > Mode > Grayscale. Keep the Size Ratio as 1 and click OK. Then choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and apply a slight blur that removes all the uneven edges. Usually this is a Radius between 1 and 5 pixels. Then click OK. Next, choose Image > Adjust > Threshold and adjust the slider so your image is only black and white. Finally, convert your image back into a bitmap, by selecting Image > Mode > Bitmap. In the Bitmap dialog box, set the Resolution Output to 600 ppi and choose 50% Threshold as the Method.

When you're working with Layer Effects, or what's now referred to as Layer Styles in version 6, you can copy and paste those effects from one layer to another. In versions 5 and 5.5, highlight the layer containing the effect you want and choose Layer > Effects > Copy Effects. Then select the layer in which you want these effects to appear and choose Layer > Effects > Paste Effects. In version 6 just drag and drop the effect that you want from one layer to another.

Finally you can easily save Web graphics with a transparent background. Just keep your image on a layer with a transparent background. Delete the actual Background layer from the Layers palette and then choose File > Save For Web. Then select the Transparency check box and click OK. Your Web graphic will automatically be made transparent on the Web. Keep in mind that this works only on GIF files. If you save the graphic as a JPEG select Other from the Matte pop-up menu. Then specify the color of the background of your Web page so the graphic blends in.

Because you have to highlight your text in order to change its color, it's difficult to view your results until after the fact. To get around this, press [command]H ([Ctrl][Alt]H in Windows) to remove the highlight.

When creating text you can preview all of your different fonts quickly and easily. First, select the Type tool and set your text. With the text selected go to the Options bar and highlight the typeface currently in use. Then simply use the up and down arrows on your keyboard to scroll through your fonts.

If you have a series of images that you want to place into a Layer Set, rather than drag one layer at a time into the set, you can create a new Layer Set from linked layers. To do so, first link all of the relating layers together. Then, choose New Set From Linked from the Layers palette pop-up menu. In the resulting dialog box, name the Layer Set and make any necessary property adjustments, and click OK. Your linked layers will automatically be placed into the appropriate Layer Set.

To create a neutral reference, make a new layer and name it Neutral. Then select the Rectangular Marqee tool and draw a long horizontal rectangle. Select the Linear Gradient tool and set the foreground color to a setting of 100 for each of your RGB values. Then, hold down the [shift] key and click and drag across the rectangle to create a smooth gradient. Now you can compare the tonal values of your image to the neutral gradient to determine if your image has any unwanted color casts.

Open an RGB image in Photoshop. Choose, Image > Adjust Channel Mixer and in the resulting dialog box, select the Monochrome check box. This will convert your image into gray values. Then adjust the sliders for the Red, Green and Blue Source Channels back and forth to boost the image's contrast.

Photoshop Background Eraser tool is the perfect tool to use to eliminate any unnecessary background scenery, while preserving the foreground information. To test it out, open an image in Photoshop and select the Background Eraser tool. Then click on an area that you want to erase within your image. The trick when using this tool is to make sure that the cross in the center of your brush is only touching the pixels that make up the background of your image. If you accidentally touch part of the foreground with this cross, the Background Eraser tool then erases the foreground as well.

You can create custom shapes that can help streamline your workflow in Photoshop 6. Defining a custom shape is simple and leaves you with a repeatable vector shape that can be saved as part of a library of other shapes. Draw the shape that you want as a path using the Pen tool. Make sure that your path is selected, and choose Edit > Define Custom Shape. Name the shape and click OK. Now your shape is available as a custom shape in your Photoshop file.

If you want to create images with a full spectrum of vibrant colors, set your Image Mode to Lab colors. The Lab mode actually includes all of the colors that you can create in both the RGB and CMYK modes. And, besides having maximum color flexibility, working in Lab mode is just as fast as working in RGB mode and faster than working in CMYK mode.

If you have to resample a series of images to match the size and resolution of one image, you can do so in Photoshop 6 quickly and easily. First open the image with all of the proper settings. Then, open an image that needs to be resampled. Choose Image > Image Size. In the resulting Image Size dialog box, select the name of the image that you want to match from the Window menu (it will be one of the last items listed in the menu). Then click OK in the Image Size dialog box, and Photoshop automatically updates your image to match the specs of the original image.

The Paint Bucket tool has changed from pressing K to pressing [shift]G on both the Macintosh and Windows operating systems. And the Pencil tool has changed from pressing N to pressing [shift]B on both the Macintosh and Windows operating systems.

Converting paths into selections is no longer accomplished by pressing the [enter] key. Macintosh users must press [command][return] and Windows users should press [Ctrl][Enter].

Rather than just flatten your image, create a new layer in the Layers palette, and then press [command][option][shift]E ([Ctrl][Alt][Shift]E in Windows). This will generate a flattened version of your layered document on the new layer.

Did you know that there's a new hidden screen in Photoshop 6, designed by Mike Shaw? He's taken the modest Venus and turned her into a feline fancy. To see the screen, launch Photoshop and hold down the [command] key while choosing Apple Menu > About Photoshop (hold down [Ctrl][Alt][Shift] while choosing Help > About Photoshop in Windows).

When using the Airbrush tool in Photoshop you can achieve a traditional airbrushed appearance by adjusting the tool options. To do so, double- click on the Airbrush tool. In the Airbrush Options palette, change the Painting Mode to Multiply and set the brush pressure to 6 percent. This allows you to gradually build up layers of color, and you'll have more control of the final outcome of your piece.

Add color quickly and easily to a grayscale image using Photoshop Variations command. First, convert your image from grayscale to RGB or CMYK. Then select a specific area of the image. For example, if you have a photograph of a tree, select only the trunk. After making your selection choose Image > Adjust > Variations and in the resulting dialog box make your color adjustments. Make sure the Midtones option button is selected and then click on any of the color preview boxes to add that color.

Sometimes the hardest thing to draw is a straight line. Fortunately, Photoshop offers a couple of ways to do so. The first method is to hold down the [shift] key as you drag the insertion point. This constrains the insertion point to a vertical or horizontal movement. The second method is a point-and-click technique. Hold down the [shift] key and position the Paintbrush tool at the beginning point of your stroke, then click the mouse. Next, move the Paintbrush tool to the endpoint of your stroke and click again. Photoshop connects the dots to make a straight brush stroke.

There are many different techniques to rid images of moire patterns. One simple technique is to apply the Gaussian Blur filter to the image with a radius of 1 pixel. You can also apply the Despeckle filter. If you're scanning your image, you can reduce the moire pattern by placing the image on the scanner at a 30-degree angle.

In Photoshop 6 you can place sticky notes and audio messages directly on your documents. Simply click on the Notes tool and type your message or click on the Audio Annotation tool and record a message. This is a great feature to communicate back and forth between designers, editors and more.

Selecting round objects can be a frustrating task. This can be simplified by making the selection from the center point to the outside edges. To do so, press [Shift][Option] ([Shift][Alt] on the PC) as you make your selection. Then, to move the selection without affecting the image, hold down the [spacebar] and use the arrow keys.

Photoshop 6 doesn't allow you to import clipping paths into QuarkXPress or PageMaker when saved as a TIFF or EPS. If you must have a clipping path to work with, you'll have to save your files in version 5 or 5.5. However, if you're working on a Macintosh, you can save a PICT file with clipping paths in Photoshop 6 and import the paths into QuarkXPress. If you're familiar with Adobe InDesign, you can import editable clipping paths from Photoshop 6 to InDesign 1.5 with ease.

If you want to add an Adjustment layer to your Layers palette, you can choose New Adjustment Layer from the Layers palette's pop-up menu, or you can [command]-click ([Ctrl]-click in Windows) the Create New Layer button located at the bottom of the Layers palette.

Retouching dirty or dust-ridden scans can be very time-consuming and tedious. Save time by cleaning off all of your photos before you scan. An easy way to keep slides, photos, and negatives clean without harming them is by using a small air pump and by wearing dust-resistant gloves.

To make a guide, press [command]R ([Ctrl]R in Windows) to make the rulers appear, then click and drag a rule from either the horizontal or vertical ruler. You can create a guide with any tool, but to remove a guide you must have the Move tool selected. If you want to hide your guides, press [command][;] ([Ctrl][;] in Windows), and to make them reappear press that same key combination again.

To view different areas of your document, you can use the [home], [end], [page up] and [page down] keys. To move from the top to the bottom of your document, press [shift][page up] ([Page Up] in Windows), and to move from the bottom of the window to the top, press [shift][page down] ([Page Down] in Windows). To quickly view the top-left corner of your document, press [shift][home] ([Home] in Windows). To view the bottom-left corner of your document, press [shift][end] ([End] in Windows).

There's a simple way to make dotted lines in Photoshop. First, select the Paintbrush tool in the Toolbox, and then click on whichever size brush you desire from the Brushes palette. Double-click on that brush and the Brush Options dialog box opens. Make sure that the Spacing check box is activated and enter 250. Then click OK to return to your document. Now, when you paint, your lines will be dotted. For straight lines, remember to hold down the [shift] key as you paint.

If you have a standard size, color mode and resolution that you consistently use, it's a good idea to write an action with those settings. To do so, select Window > Show Actions. Then, in the Actions palette, select New Action from the pop-up menu. When the New Action dialog box opens, name your action and choose the function key you want to assign to the action, and pick the color you want the action to be displayed as. Now, click the Record button. Then choose File > New, choose the settings you want in the New dialog box, and click OK. Return to the Actions palette, and click the Stop button. Now you can open documents with your preferred settings with a click of a button.

On the Macintosh you can take a screen capture by pressing [command][shift]3. This, in a sense, photographs everything that appears on your monitor. To capture a specific area of your screen, press [command][shift]4. Then drag your insertion point around only the area that you want to include in the screen capture. If you take your screen captures this way, they'll be saved directly on your hard drive and you'll have to then open them in Photoshop. If you press [control][command][shift]3 or [control][command][shift]4 the screen capture will be saved on the Clipboard and you can paste it right into your document. In Windows, press the PrintScreen button on your keyboard, and a copy of the screen capture will be placed on the Clipboard. You can then paste that into a new document in Photoshop.

In order to rubber stamp onto a new layer in Photoshop, make sure the Use All Layers check box is selected in the Rubber Stamp Options palette. This allows you to take samples from underlying layers while stamping on a new layer.

You probably already use the Image Size command to find out the size and resolution of your image. If you want to adjust the specifications of your image, then you need to use this route. But, if you just want to know the image specs, you can get this information more quickly by [option]-clicking ([Alt]-clicking in Windows) on the info box in the lower left of the document window, next to the image magnification display.

Adjusting the intensity of the lighting within an image can seem really tricky. You don't necessarily want to make lighting adjustments by tweaking the contrast, especially if you're happy with the amount of shadow detail in your image. Instead, you can adjust the lighting in a scene without messing up your contrast by using the Color Dodge blending mode. To try it, create a new layer in your image by clicking on the New Layer button at the bottom of the Layers palette. Name this new layer Dodge. Now, click on the Foreground color in the toolbox to access the Color Picker. Set the color values to a medium gray, (R=125, G=125, B=125), and then click OK. Fill the new layer with the gray and then set its blending mode to Color Dodge. All the highlight areas in your image will blow out, but your shadow areas will be pretty much unaffected. To fine-tune the lighting effect, adjust the opacity of the Dodge layer.

The Variations command is not as effective as the Curves command for color correction, but it can help you identify if a color cast is present. This is because the Variations command allows you to see multiple copies of your image (with slight color alterations) simultaneously. Since you're able to easily compare the images, achieving neutrality is a snap. To open your image in the Variations dialog box, choose Image > Adjust > Variations. In the resulting dialog box, compare how the addition of color affects each image. Once you detect a cast, you can cancel out of the dialog box and then activate Curves and make the correction.

Photoshop has alignment options located under the Layer menu. To use the Align Linked or Distribute Linked commands, your layers must be linked. You can align objects to each other or to a selection. Objects will align to the object in the active layer. To distribute objects, you must have three or more layers linked.

One problem with the alignment commands is that they only function on pixels that are more than 50-percent opaque. Depending on the objects you want to align, this may cause them to align in an unexpected way.

Some of Photoshop commands, such as Merge Channels in the Channels palette pulldown menu, aren't recordable because subjective decisions are required. Other nonrecordable commands are the painting tools, toning tools, view commands, and preferences. However, you can still put a nonrecordable command into an action by utilizing the Insert Menu Item command. To do this, record the actions you want to precede the Merge Channels command. Then, choose Insert Menu Item from the Actions palette pulldown menu. In the resulting dialog box, enter Merge Channels and then click Find. Photoshop locates the command and adds it to the action. Click OK and then finish recording the action. When you play back the action, you'll be presented with the dialog boxes related to the Merge Channels command. Specify where you want each channel placed and the action will continue to play through automatically.

An adjustment layer acts like a layer, but it's really a customized filter or lens for viewing your image through. Adjustment layers are specifically used to simplify the process of color correcting an image. Once you create an adjustment layer, you can apply one of the following effects to the image: Levels, Curves, Color Balance, Invert, Channel Mixer, Hue/Saturation, Threshold, Selective Color, Posterize, or Brightness/Contrast. To create an adjustment layer, choose New Adjustment Layer from the Layers palette pulldown menu. In the resulting dialog box, choose a type of correction and click OK. You'll be presented with the corresponding dialog box. As soon as you make your correction settings, click OK and the adjustment layer is applied to the image. It's also automatically named with whichever type of correction you chose.

Since adjustment layers preserve your dialog box settings, it's easy to edit and refine the effect on the image. If you want to compare to different settings, that's easy to do as well. You can apply multiple adjustment layers to the same image, but if you want any of them to affect the image permanently, you'll need to flatten the image.

When you look at the Type Tool dialog box, you'll see a check box called Fractional Widths. This refers to fractional character width, which means that the spacing between characters can vary by a fraction of a pixel rather than a whole pixel. This is just a very slight tweak. In most cases, Fractional Widths provides you with the best type appearance. However, if you're working with type at small point sizes (less than 20 points), then the Fractional Widths setting can cause type to run together, making it difficult to read. You can turn it off by deselecting the check box. Keep in mind that this setting also exists in ImageReady.