Lecture Notes: Photoshop Basics for Beginners

Creating a New Document

• Steps to Create:
  • Click File -> New or press CTRL + N.
  • Name the document (example: #PUP-01).
  • Customize the size (example: width: 1920, height: 1080 for a 16:9 ratio).
  • Set the orientation (Portrait or Landscape).
  • Choose resolution:
    • 72 for web images/social media.
    • 300 for detailed photos/print.
  • Select Color Mode based on needs:
    • RGB for web images/social media (keeps colors consistent on screen and after publishing).
    • CMYK for printing.
  • Background Contents: Choose the background color (e.g., transparent).
  • Click Create.
• Useful Hotkeys:
  • CTRL + 0: Fit on Screen

Layers

• Importance: Layers allow you to manage and organize different elements of your design.
• Basic Operations:
  • New Layer: Click the paper icon.
  • Rename Layer: Double-click the layer name.
  • Change Layer color: Right-click the eye icon and select the color.
  • Duplicate Layer: Select the layer and use CTRL + J.
  • Move Layer: Drag the selected layer.
  • Group Layers: Select layers, click the folder icon, or use CTRL + G.
• Useful Hotkeys:
  • CTRL + J: Duplicate Layer
  • ALT + Drag: Duplicate & Move
  • CTRL + G: Group Layers

Pan & Zoom

• Tools:
  • Zoom: Press Z, click to zoom in, ALT + click to zoom out.
  • Pan: Press H, click & drag.
  • Hotkeys:
    • ALT + Scroll Up: Zoom In
    • ALT + Scroll Down: Zoom Out
    • Spacebar + Drag: Pan

Tools

Move Tool

• Shortcut: V on the keyboard.
• Function: Select and move objects. Enable auto-select to move layers directly.

Rectangular Marquee Tool

• Shortcut: M.
• Modes: New Selection, Add to Selection, Subtract from Selection, Intersect with Selection.
• Operations:
  • Deselect: CTRL + D
  • Duplicate selection: CTRL + J
  • Cut & Paste: CTRL + X (cut), CTRL + V (paste)
  • Paste in same position: CTRL + SHIFT + V

Elliptical Marquee Tool

• Enhanced Selection: Increase Feather to smooth edges.

Lasso Tool

• Shortcut: L.
• Types: Lasso, Polygonal Lasso, Magnetic Lasso.
• Operations:
  • Use CTRL + J to duplicate the selection.
  • Use CTRL + T for free transformation (resize/rotate).

Quick Selection & Magic Wand Tools

• Shortcut: W.
• Quick Selection:
  • Brush size adjustment: ] to enlarge, [ to shrink.
  • Use CTRL + J to duplicate the selection.
• Magic Wand:
  • Select based on color.
  • Adjust Tolerance for better selection.
  • Invert selection: CTRL + SHIFT + I](streamdown:incomplete-link)

Crop Tool

• Shortcut: C.
• Modes: Ratio, 1:1, or custom size (e.g., 820x360 for Facebook banner).
• Perspective Crop: Adjust perspective angles and confirm.
• Slice Tool:
  • Divide canvas into parts.
  • Export slices: ALT + SHIFT + CTRL + S.

Eyedropper Tool

• Shortcut: I.
• Function: Sample colors from objects.
• Operations:
  • Fill with Foreground color: ALT + Delete
  • Fill with Background color: CTRL + Delete
  • Switch colors: X
  • Default colors: D

Closing

• This was Part 1 of Photoshop Basics focused on creating documents, layers, and basic tools.
• Support the channel with likes, shares, comments, and subscriptions.
• Follow on Instagram: @nihilproject.
• Stay tuned for Part 2 to explore more tools and features.