Tips 4 u

High Clarity Photoshop Tutorial

2008-08-01T04:13:00.000-07:00

Learn how to apply this abstract photo effect with Photoshop CS3. Your photos will have a high impact look and stronger focus.

High Clarity Photoshop Tutorial

Step 1

Open an image into Photoshop. This effect works best for portraits rather than landscapes.
Step 2
First, to practice non-destructive editing, we'll convert the layer to a Smart Object. Doing this will allow us to use Smart Filters that let you change the filter settings at any time.
Step 3
Choose image > Adjustments > Shadows/Highlights. Adjust the Shadows slider to about 50% so that the shadows are more visible.
Step 4
Now we are going to add a harsh lighting photo effect. In the Layers palette, click on the image button then choose Black & White.
In the Black & White settings, click on Auto then click OK.
Step 5
Change the blending mode of the Black & White adjustment layer to Overlay. You should now get a high-contrast photo effect.
Step 6
Duplicate Layer 0. To do this, select Layer 0 then press Ctrl+J or choose Layer > Duplicate Layer.
Step 7
Select the new layer (Layer 0 copy) then choose Filter > Sharpen > Smart Sharpen. With the Smart Sharpen tool, we'll increase the local contrast to make the edges look very sharp. Set the Amount to 100% then adjust the Radius setting until you start to see very slight halos around the edges. Read our Local Contrast Photoshop tutorial for more information about this technique.
This is what the image looks like after increasing the local contrast with the Smart Sharpen tool.
Step 8
Add a blank layer mask to the current layer. To do this, choose Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All.

NEXT>>>>

High Clarity Photoshop Tutorial

2008-08-01T03:43:00.000-07:00

Step 9

First, press D to reset the foreground and background colors to black and white. Then, select the brush tool and paint in the layer mask over the subject. This can be a person, foreground object, or anything that you want to apply the Smart Sharpen filter effect to. If you want to erase any areas, use the eraser tool. Try to be precise with the painting because any inaccuracies will be visible later when we reuse the layer mask for another adjustment layer.
Step 10
Hold the Ctrl key and click on the layer mask thumbnail in the Layers palette. This should create a selection based on the layer mask.
Step 11
In the Brightness/Contrast settings, set the Brightness to -50 then click OK.
Final Results
Here's the final results of this photo effect. If you didn't do a good job painting the layer mask earlier, you can use the brush or eraser tools to refine the layer mask.
Before and after:

100% crop:

Trendy Neutral Photo Effect

2008-03-16T11:52:00.001-07:00

Make your photos interesting with this popular effect created from a combination of three photo effects. In this Photoshop tutorial, you'll learn how to create common photo effects that can be combined to simulate the trendy effect many photographers use on their photos.

Trendy Neutral Photo Effect Photoshop Tutorial

Step 1: Open an image into Photoshop

Open a photo into Photoshop. This photo should not have any strong photo effect applied.

Step 2: Add a neutral color effect

First, we'll add a neutral color effect. To do this, we'll need to create a new layer with a grayscale version of the image as the layers content. Instead of duplicating the layer and desaturating it, we'll be using adjustment layers instead. Adjustment layers are non-destructive, editable anytime, and they keep the Photoshop file size small.

In the Layers palette, click on the new adjustment layer button and choose Black & White. The Black and White option is only available in Photoshop CS3. If you are using Photoshop CS2 or older, choose Hue/Saturation instead.

In the Black and White tool, adjust the settings to get the desired black and white effect you like. If you're using Photoshop CS2 or older and chose the Hue/Saturation tool instead, you can create a black and white image with the exact same options and results as the Black and White tool. Simply choose the color that you would like to edit and adjust the lightness. For example, if you want the reds to be brighter, choose "Reds" from the edit drop down menu and increase the lightness.

Change the blending mode of the new adjustment layer to Overlay. If you don't like the results, double-click on the layer icon to edit the settings again.

Step 3: Add a grain texture

Now we're going to add a little artistic grain to the image. This is optional; you may skip this part if you don't want to add any grain to your image. First, create a new layer and name this layer "Grain".

With the Grain layer selected, press Ctrl+F5 or choose Edit > Fill. In the Fill options, set the contents to 50% Gray and click OK. This will fill the layer with a 50% gray. We're using 50% gray as the base color because it appears transparent when used with certain blending modes.

Now we'll add some noise. Choose Filter > Noise > Add Noise. Use the settings below.

The noise looks too sharp so we'll add a slight blur. Choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and use the settings below.

Change the blending mode of the Grain layer to Soft Light.

Step 3: Create an organic vignette

Finally, we'll add the last layer. This layer will contain a organic vignette that will increase focus to the subject. Begin by creating a new layer. Name this new layer Vignette.
Select the lasso tool from the toolbar and create a round selection around the subject.

Choose Select > Modify > Feather. This will soften the edge of the selection. Input a radius setting to use. A larger radius will create softer edge. Depending on the dimension of your image, this setting will vary. I used a 250 pixels setting, which is the highest, for a 4992 x 3319 pixels image. If you enter in a radius that is too small or large, press Ctrl+Z to undo and try the Feather Selection tool again. This step may take several tries.
Create an inverse of the selection by pressing Shift+Ctrl+I or choosing Select > Invert. Now fill the selection with black and press Ctrl+D to deselect the selection.
To finish this tutorial, reduce the opacity of the Vignette layer.

Final Results

Sample PSD
Download this free PSD (Photoshop Document) to view the final results with the layers.
trendy-neutral-photo-effect.psd

Foreground Lighting

2008-02-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

mprove your portraits with this easy and effective foreground lighting effect. In this Photoshop tutorial, you will learn how to darken the background to create a less-busy background. This effect may seem simple, but it works exceptionally well for portraits with a busy background.

Step 1: Open a portrait photo

First, open an image of a portrait with a busy background that you would like to apply this effect to. This effect will make the background darker to add focus to the subject.

Step 2: Add an adjustment layer

Now we'll need to add an adjustment layer that will make the image darker. In the Layers palette, click on the New Adjustment Layer button.
There are many ways to darken the image, but the simplist methods are shown below. We don't recommend using the Brightness/Contrast tool in Photoshop CS2 or older because they produce poor results. The Brightness/Contrast tool has been greatly improved in Photoshop CS3, but if you're an experienced Photoshop user and you want more control, we recommend using the Levels or Curves tool instead.
If you picked the Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer, simply reduce the brightness and increase the contrast. As you adjust the settings, focus on the background instead of the subject because this effect will only be used to darken the background.

If you picked the Levels adjustment layer instead of the Brightness/Contrast adjustment layer, start by moving the middle input slider towards the right. You may play around with the other input sliders and adjust the output levels to get the effect that you like. Remember to focus on the background instead of the foreground because this layer will only be used to darken the background.
Step 3: Mask the adjustment layer

The adjustment layer darkened the entire image. Now we have to mask out the areas that we don't want to be darkened - the subject/person. In the Layers palette, you should now see a new adjustment layer with a layer mask. Make sure that the layer mask is selected by clicking on the layer mask thumbnail. It should have a white border to indicated that it is activated.

Now select the Eraser tool from the toolbar. Also, make sure that your foreground and background colors are set to the default. Simply press the D key on your keyboard to reset the foreground and background colors to the default colors.
Once you have the Eraser tool selected, the option bar near the top will show you the settings you can set for the Eraser tool. Set the Opacity to 50% and adjust the brush size and hardness.

Using the Eraser tool, erase the foreground to make it brighter. If you make a mistake, you can switch back to the brush tool to paint back the areas that you want to reverse.
Here's what my image looks like after erasing the foreground.

Erase the foreground or just the subject again. This time, I ony erased the subject to keep the rock a little darker.

In the option bar, set the Opacity of the brush to 100%.

We'll apply one more layer of erasing to the layer mask. This time, I only erased the face. In the image below, you can see the areas that I erased. If you look closely, you can see a halo around the subjects head. This is because I was being sloppy and my brush hardness was too soft. I can fix this by switching back to the brush tool and using a stronger hardness (50%) to paint back the background.

Final Results

Dimming the background is a simple, but truely effective way to hide busy backgrounds and increase focus to the subject.

Digital Flash

2008-01-31T05:28:00.000-08:00

Contrast Mask

The first step is to create a contrast mask. This is basically just a grayscale layer that'll define where the image needs dodging or burning.

1. Open a photo you would like to edit. Or, you may use the photo used in this tutorial (from iStockPhoto).

2. Duplicate the layer (Layer> Duplicate Layer or Ctrl+J) and change the blending mode of the new layer to Soft Light.
Layer duplicated and blending mode changed to Soft Light.

3. With the top layer selected, Invert (Image> Adjustments> Invert or Ctrl+I). You should immediately notice the details revealed.

4. The color seems to have desaturated a little bit. To fix this, simply desaturate the top layer (Image> Adjustments> Desaturate or Shift+Ctrl+U).

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Layer Mask

We need to add a layer mask so that we can filter the effect so that it's only affecting the dark areas and not the bright areas of the image.

1. Add a layer mask (Layer> Add Layer Mask> Reveal All).

2. Make sure the layer mask is activated. The thumbnail of the layer mask in the layers window should have a white border around it. If it doesn't, click on the thumbnail to activate the layer mask.

3. With the layer mask selected, open the Apply Image tool (Image> Apply Image) and apply these settings:
Layer: Background
Channel: RGB
Invert: Checked
Blending: Normal
Opacity: 100%

4. With the layer mask still selected, open the Levels tool (Image> Adjustments> Levels or Ctrl+L). In the Levels tool, drag the middle input slider towards the left to increase the effect or towards the right to reduce the effect.

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Sharpening

This part is just an additional trick that'll help sharpen the image with this effect. This part is optional.

1. Click on the thumbnail of the top layer to activate (not its layer mask). Use the Gassian Blur filter (Filter> Blur> Gaussian Blur) and apply a very small blur. Using a larger blur will sharpen the image more but halos may appear if you use a setting too large.

Final Results

MODEL BEAUTY

2008-01-27T18:05:00.000-08:00

Body Makeover

2008-01-27T18:04:00.001-08:00

Green Screen

2008-01-27T18:02:00.000-08:00

Selecting Image from a Background

2008-01-27T18:00:00.000-08:00

Retouching Hair

2008-01-27T17:58:00.000-08:00

Photoshop painting hair 2

2008-01-27T17:57:00.001-08:00

Painting hair 1

2008-01-27T17:53:00.000-08:00

Changing Hair Color 3

2008-01-27T17:49:00.000-08:00

Change Hair Color 2

2008-01-27T17:47:00.000-08:00

Change Hair Color 1

2008-01-27T17:46:00.000-08:00

Make Popart Photos Using

2008-01-27T17:43:00.000-08:00

Camera Raw Utility

2008-01-27T17:42:00.000-08:00

Remove Freckles

2008-01-18T19:32:00.000-08:00

Reduce slight freckles naturally without using the Healing Brush. In this Photoshop tutorial, you'll learn how to subtract freckles using a layer. This process provides the most natural results for light-brown freckles (ephelides) but will not work for dark freckles.

Before and After Remove Freckles Photoshop Tutorial

Step 1:Open an image into Photoshop

Open the photo with the freckles you would like to remove. To open a file, open the File menu and select Open. Then, browse for the photo and click OK. This tutorial only works for light-brown freckles (ephelides); not dark freckles (lentigines).

Step 2:Convert to CMYK color

To subtract the freckles, we need to find a channel that shows the most freckles. This is usually shown in the Yellow channel but to access that channel, we need to convert the image mode to CMYK. Convert the image to CMYK color by opening the Image> Mode menu and selecting CMYK Color. When you convert to CMYK color, the colors will shift and look different, but we'll show you a way to get around this issue later.

Step 3:Select the yellow channel

In the Channels pallet, click on the yellow channel to view it. You can see that the yellow channel shows a lot of freckles and this is what we're looking for.

Step 4:Copy the yellow channel

Now we're going to create a new layer with the yellow channel in it. Press Ctrl+A or open the Select menu and click All. This will create a selection of the canvas. With the selection created, Press Ctrl+C or open the Edit menu and choose Copy.

Step 5:Convert the image back to RGB color

We're done taking the yellow channel from the CMYK mode and we need to switch back to RGB color. But all this color conversion means that there will be a lot of color shifts. Earlier we told you that we'll show you how to get around this issue and here it is. Simly go into the History pallet and click on the first step to revert the image to the way it was.

Step 6: Paste the contents as a layer

Press Ctrl+V or open the Edit menu and click Paste. You should now have a new layer with the yellow channel we copied earlier.

Step 7:Invert the layer

To subtract the freckles, we need to invert the layer so that it shows the opposite of the layer below. To invert the layer, press Ctrl+I or open the Image> Adjustments menu and select Invert.

Step 8: Blend the layer

Now that we have the right formula to subtract the freckles from, change the blending mode to Overlay and adjust the opacity so that the freckles disappear. You should see the effect of this subtraction technique real time as you adjust the opacity slider.

Once you're done, you may notice that the contrast for the entire image has changed. For the image used in this tutorial, the result is pleasing and makes the overall image look better. If you are happy with the results, you've completed the effect. However, if you don't like the effect that it creates, follow the next steps to learn how to make this effect only visible on the skin.

Step 9: Add a layer mask

To manually specify where the freckle removal effect should appear, we'll be using a layer mask. Add a layer mask by opening the Layer> Layer Mask> Hide All. This should create a black layer mask that makes the entire layer invisible.

Step 10: Paint over the freckles

First, make sure that you have the layer mask selected by clicking on the thumbnail of the layer mask. It should have a white outline around it to indicate that it is activated. Select white as the foreground color and use the Brush tool with a soft edged brush to paint the affected areas. This will feel like an eraser tool for the freckles because the area you paint is the area that the freckles disappear.

Final Results

Retro Colors

2008-01-14T05:32:00.001-08:00

Retro Colors

Make photos look dated with this easy color effect. In this tutorial, you will learn how to use the Match Color tool to alter the color of a photo.

Retro Colors

Original

Step 1: Open an image into Photoshop

Open the File menu and select Open. Browse for the photo you would like to add a retro color effect to then click OK.

Step 2: Create a new layer

In the Layers pallet, click on the New Layer icon. This will create a new layer named Layer 1. Ensure that Layer 1 is highlighted before continuing.

Step 3: Create a selection

First, activate the Rectangular Marquee tool. Then, drag a rectangle from the top left of the canvas to the bottom middle. This should create a rectangular marquee of half the canvas.

Step 4: Fill the selection

In the Swatches pallet, select the color red. Then, press Alt+Backspace and it should fill the selection with a solid red color.

Step 5: Inverse and fill the selection

Open the Select menu and select Inverse. This will inverse the selection so that the other half of the canvas is selected. Select the color green from the Swatches pallet and press Alt+Backspace to fill the other half with green.

Step 6: Hide the Layer

In the Layers pallet, click on the eye icon for Layer 1 to hide the layer. Click on the Background layer to activate it.

Step 7: Use the Match Color tool

Open the Image> Adjustments menu and select Match Color. This will bring up the Match Color tool which will alter the color of the image based on the layer with the red and green color we created.

First, select the document name of your photo in the source and then select Layer 1 as the layer.

A live preview of the effect should be shown. Adjust the Image Options to alter the effect.

1. Start off with the Fade option. Increase this amount until the posterized effect disappears.
2. Adjust the Color Intensity to get the results desired. To get a neutral, washed-out effect, drag the input slider towards the left. To increase the vibrancy, drag the input slider towards the right.
3. The Luminance doesn't need to be adjusted. It will only darken or lighten your photo.

Selective Sepia

2008-01-09T06:22:00.000-08:00

Learn how to use Photoshop to create selectively add a dramatic sepia effect a photo. This Photoshop effect works best when used with Photoshop CS3 but will also work with Photoshop CS2 or older using an alternative method.

Original Image

Selective Sepia Photoshop Tutorial

Step 1:
Open an image into Photoshop

Open the File menu and select Open. Browse for the photo you would like to add a selective sepia effect to and click OK.

Step 2:
Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer

In the Layers pallet, click on the New Adjustment Layer icon and select Hue/Saturation.

A Hue/Saturation window should appear. With this tool, we'll specify where the sepia effect will appear. Decide if you want to select the sepia toned areas according to the color of the image or by manually painting the areas where you would like the sepia tone.

A) Select by color

Selecting the sepia areas based on color will give the most natural effect.

First, decide which color in the photo that you want to keep. Then, select from the edit drop down menu the each color in the list except for the colors you want to keep and reduce the saturation to -100. For example, to keep the reds in the photo use the following settings:

Reds: 0 Saturation
Yellows: -100 Saturation
Greens: -100 Saturation
Cyans: -100 Saturation
Blues: -100 Saturation
Magenta : -100 Saturation

B) Select manually

Manually selecting the sepia toned areas will let you specify precisely the area that you would like toned.

Set the master saturation to -100 and click OK. Your image should now appear grayscale.

Activate the layer mask by clicking on the layer mask thumbnail in the Layers pallet. Select the Eraser tool and erase the areas where you don't want the sepia tone to be applied to.

Step 3:
Add a Black & White adjustment layer

In the Layers pallet, click on the New Adjustment Layer icon and select Black & White. If you are using Photoshop CS2 or older, select Hue/Saturation instead.

A Black & White (or Hue/Saturation if you're using Photoshop CS2 or older) adjustment layer should appear. Simply click OK without editing the settings. Then, change the blend mode of the top adjustment layer to Overlay. Double click back on the icon of the layer to bring back the tool.

If you're using Photoshop CS3, you can use the Black and White adjustment to add a sepia tone. This will give you more adjustable settings compared to using the Hue/Saturation adjustment.

First, adjust the settings to get the black and white look that you like. Or, you can scroll through the presets menu to select one of your own. I chose the Red Filter preset to bring up the reds and darken the sky.

Checkmark the Tint and adjust the tone to create a sepia effect.

Gritty HDR

2007-12-31T01:06:00.000-08:00

Give your photos a grunge look with this popular Photoshop effect. Although this Photoshop effect is commonly referred as HDR photo effect, it is it can be done with regular, non-HDR photos.

Note: This photo effect is titled Gritty HDR due to the common use of the name and is not intended to be an accurate description of the effect. HDR means high dynamic range but this photo effect does not require the use of HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos. This effect is better described as a grungy tone mapping effect that can be done without the use of HDR images.

Original Image

Gritty HDR

Step 1:
Open a photo into Photoshop

Start by opening an image into Photoshop. To do this, run Photoshop and choose File> Open. Browse and select the photo you would like to edit then click OK.
Photoshop CS2 or Older:

Select the layer and press Ctrl+J or go to Layer> Duplicate Layer to create a duplicate of the layer. Do not do any editing on the Background layer. Instead, work on the Background copy layer. This will ensure you always have a copy of the original unedited image in case you require it for further post processing.
Photoshop CS3

If you are using Adobe Photoshop CS3, right mouse click on the layer an select "Convert to Smart Object". This will allow you to apply Smart Filters which can be edited at anytime and will keep the file size smaller.

Step 2:
Make details more visible with the Shadow/Highlights tool

First, we'll mimic the tone mapping effect by using the Shadow/Highlights tool. Choose Image> Adjustments> Shadow/Highlights. In the Shadow/Highlights tool, adjust the settings so that all details are easy to see without making the photo look fake.

Step 3:
Add a halo effect with the Unsharp Mask filter

Choose Filter> Sharpen> Unsharp Mask. We will not be using this filter to sharpen the image. Instead, we'll use this filter to add a high-contrast halo effect to the image. In the Unsharp Mask filter, set the Radius to 250 pixels and adjust the amount to get an effect that you desire.

Step 4:
Add a Black and White adjustment layer
Photoshop CS2 or Older:

Select Layer> New Adjustment Layer> Hue/Saturation. Set the Saturation to -100 and click OK.
Photoshop CS3

Select Layer> New Adjustment Layer> Black and White. A window with the settings will appear. For now, just click OK without touching any of the settings and change the blending mode of the Black and White adjustment layer to Overlay.

Step 5:
Adjust the Black and White adjustment layer settings (For Photoshop CS3 only)
Photoshop CS2 or Older:

Skip this step
Photoshop CS3

In the previous step, we skipped the settings to change the layer blending mode. Now, we'll go back and edit the settings that we previously skipped. The reason for this is so that we can see the live preview effect of the Black and White adjustment layer with Overlay blending mode instead of the Normal blending mode.

Double-click on the Black and White adjustment layer and a Black and White window will appear. In this window, adjust the settings to get the results you desire. Start by scrolling through the Presets and find the one that closely matches your
Step 6:
Create a new layer named "Grain"

Choose Layer> New Layer or press Ctrl+Shift+N. Type in "Grain" (without the quotations) as the layer name and select Overlay as the blending mode. We will use this layer to add noise to the image.
Step 7:
Add a 50% gray fill

Select the Grain layer that we created in the previous step. Then, press Ctrl+Backspace to access the Fill tool. In the Fill tool, select 50% Gray in the Use drop down menu and click OK. This will fill the layer with 50% gray.

The reason we're using 50% gray is because it will not be visible on many layer blending modes including Overlay. This means that the gray will not be visible on our Grain layer because it's using Overlay as the blending mode. So why did we do this if it does nothing?

Some filters including the Add Noise filter we'll be using in the next step won't work on an empty layer. In order to use it, we had to fill the layer with 50% gray and change the blending mode to one of the blending modes that won't show the 50% gray.

Step 8:
Add Noise

Choose Filter> Noise> Add Noise. In the Add Noise tool, checkmark Monochromatic and click OK.
Step 9:
Blur the noise

Choose Filter> Blur> Gaussian Blur and enter 0.3 in the Radius setting then click OK.

Step 10:
Increase the contrast of the layer with Auto Levels

Choose Image> Adjustments> Auto Levels. This will increase the contrast of the layer making the noise extremely visible. Reduce the opacity of the layer until you get the noise level you desire.

Final Results

Original Image

Gritty HDR

Create the underwater body effect just by 3 steps with Adobe Photoshop

2007-12-29T10:02:00.000-08:00

Today, I will show you how can create under water body effect just by 3 steps.

So from the original photo:

Step 1.
Copy the background to a new layer (Ctrl + J). Then hide the layer 1 and select the background layer.

Select the smudge tool (R)

and make this background like that:

Step 2.
Select the layer 1. Create a mask for this layer. Then use the brush and change the color to black

Draw to the mask like that (The transparent white color is the area that you paint)

So you will have the result

Step 3.
Create a new layer with opacity is 50%. Then choose the gradient tool (G) and change like that
Then make a gradient from bottom to the middle of this photo so you will have

It is the final result

Evil Eye

2007-12-27T20:33:00.000-08:00

Evil Eye

Lindsay Lohan Photoshop MakeOver

2007-12-27T19:56:00.001-08:00

Lindsay Lohan Photoshop MakeOver

Hilary Duff Makeover 2

2007-12-27T19:55:00.000-08:00

Hilary Duff makeover2

Extreme Makeover

2007-12-27T19:52:00.000-08:00

Extreme (Photoshop) Makeover

Playboy evolution made by photoshop

2007-12-27T19:39:00.000-08:00

Playboy evolution made by photoshop

Table Top

2007-12-20T02:58:00.000-08:00

Table Top – A website that looks like your desk

1 – A Stained Wood Surface

Create a new image in Photoshop. I recommend making it 500 pixels wide, by 400 tall. Much bigger than that, and it will take too long to load.

Create a new layer.

Fill the area with a dark orange colour.

Click Filter > Noise > Add Noise. Choose Gaussian, and set the Amount to about 6.

Click Filter > Blur > Motion Blur. Set the Angle to 0°, and the Distance to 10.

If the colour isn't quite right, press Ctrl+U to bring up the Hue/Saturation Properties.

Right-click this layer in the Layers window, and choose Blending Options. Click on Gradient Overlay. Change the Blend Mode to Overlay, and set the Opacity to around 65%. Choose the black-white gradient from the drop-down box, if it isn't already selected.

Create a new layer.

Change this layer's Mode from Normal to Overlay.

Make sure your foreground and background colours are black and white. Click Filter > Render > Clouds.

Click Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast. Set the Contrast to maximum.

2 – A piece of note paper

Create a new layer.

Select a rectangular area.

Fill the area with a very slightly off-white colour.

Click Filter > Noise > Add Noise. Set the Amount to about 3.

Select a light blue colour. Use the Text Tool to put in a row of equal signs (=), followed by rows of dashes. On the Character Palette, reduce your Tracking to a negative number if there are spaces between your dashes. (Click Window > Character if you can't see the Character Palette.)

Right-click your layer in the Layers Palette, and choose Blending Options. Click on Drop Shadow, and change its Distance to 3 pixels.

3 – Adding text and more paper

Download a handwriting font from somewhere, or use the one that I've used. (Copy it to your WINDOWS\Fonts folder. Go to that folder with Windows Explorer, and click File > Install New Font.)

At the bottom of the Layers Window, click the Create a New Set icon. Drag your white paper layer, your blue lines layer, and your text layer into the Set folder you've just created. Right-click this layer set, and Duplicate it a few times.

Click on each layer set, and rotate it a bit, by pressing Ctrl+T.

Change the text of the lower pieces of paper, to make them look realistic.

4 – Making a Pencil

Create a new layer.

Select a long, rectangular area.

Fill the area with a colour. I've used blue here.

Right-click your layer in the Layers Palette, and choose Blending Options. Change the Blend Mode to Overlay, and set the Opacity to 35%. Change the Style to Reflected (this makes your gradient a mirror image). Tick Reverse, and click on the gradient to edit it. Drag the tabs around until they look like the diagram above. This will cause the dark-light-dark bands that give it the appearance of a normal hexagonal pencil.

5 – Adding an eraser

For each of the eraser and metal band, repeat the same process that you used to make the pencil shaft. With these two pieces, give them a Gradient Overlay in the Blending Options. Change the Blend Mode to Overlay, and the Style to Reflected, but don't edit the gradient. These pieces should appear cylindrical, and not hexagonal like the pencil shaft.

Remember, you can use the Hue/Saturation Window to change the colour of your pencil parts at any time. Press Ctrl+U to do so.

6 – Adding the pencil tip

Right-click the layer of your pencil shaft, and click Duplicate Layer. Press Ctrl+T to transform it. Make this new section much shorter, and place it at the end of the pencil shaft, as shown. Use the Hue/Saturation window (Ctrl+U) to change it to a light woody colour.

Create a new layer, and drag it down the Layers window, so it's underneath your wooden pencil tip layer.

Click on your wooden pencil tip layer, and press Ctrl+E. This will merge it into the layer below it. The gradient is now part of the layer, not an added effect, so it will change when you reshape the pencil tip.

7 – Sharpening the pencil

Click Edit > Transform > Perspective.

Hold Alt and Ctrl, and drag the bottom right corner upwards. The other corner will come in to meet it, forming a point.

Select the very tip of the pencil, and press Ctrl+U to edit its Hue/Saturation properties. Reduce the Brightness and Saturation until the pencil tip is dark grey.

Click the empty boxes next to each of the layers that make up the pencil. Then click Layer > Merge Linked, or just press Ctrl+E.

Right-click your layer in the Layers Palette, and choose Blending Options. Give it a Drop Shadow, but Change the Size and Distance to 2, so your pencil doesn't look like it's flying.

8 – Another pencil, and some menu text

Duplicate your pencil, and use Ctrl+U to change your new pencil's colour. (Select the colour of your pencil from the menu first, so you're only changing the pencil shaft colour.)

Press Ctrl+T to rotate and position your pencils.

Type in some menu text wherever you have room. Make your text colour black, but reduce the layer's Opacity.

Finally, click File > Save For Web, and save your image as a jpeg, at Quality 60.

Introduction Adobe Photoshop

2007-12-20T02:41:00.000-08:00

Adobe Photoshop, or simply Photoshop, is a graphics editor developed and published by Adobe Systems. It is the current market leader for commercial bitmap and image manipulation, and is the flagship product of Adobe Systems. It has been described as "an industry standard for graphics professionals" and was one of the early "killer apps" on Macintosh.

The current (10th) iteration of the program, Photoshop CS3, was released on 16 April 2007. "CS" reflects its integration with other Creative Suite products, and the number "3" represents it as the third version released since Adobe re-branded its products under the CS umbrella. Photoshop CS3 features additions such as the ability to apply non-destructive filters, as well as new selection tools named Quick Selection and Refine Edge that make selection more streamlined. On April 30th, Adobe released Photoshop CS3 Extended, which includes all the same features of Adobe Photoshop CS3 with the addition of capabilities for scientific imaging, 3D, and high end film and video users.