Adobe Photoshop Basics

Course Outline
This is the main page for the Adobe Photoshop Basics Online Course. Scroll down to find an outline of every
lesson and every page in the course. The lessons are intended to be worked through in the order presented,
and at your own pace. Click the link below to sign up for email delivery so you won't miss a lesson.

Adobe Photoshop Basics Outline

The lessons have been written for Photoshop versions 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 including educational and academicallypriced versions. When information in a lesson does not apply to all of these versions, notes and/or separate
pages will be provided for each version where applicable. Users of Photoshop 7 and 8 (CS) can follow the
navigation labeled for version 6, although new features in these versions will not be covered. Users of Photoshop
7 and 8 may encounter minor differences in the locations of some commands, but most of these are noted in
the discussion forum threads that go along with each lesson. Portions of this course will not be applicable to
Photoshop Elements, or the discontinued Photoshop LE (limited edition) that ships with some hardware products.
To determine your version, choose Help > About from within Photoshop.

Lesson 1: Navigating the Workspace

Lesson 1a: Menu Bar
Let's get started by exploring the basic elements of the Photoshop workspace. There are four main counterparts
to the Photoshop workspace: the menu bar, the status bar, the toolbox, and the palettes. In this lesson we'll be
learning about the menu bar.

The Menu Bar

The menu bar consists of nine menus: File, Edit, Image, Layer, Select, Filter, View, Window, and Help. Take a few
moments now to look at each of the menus. You may notice that some menu commands are followed by
ellipses (...). This indicates a command that is followed by a dialog box where you can enter additional settings.
Some menu commands are followed by a right pointing arrow. This indicates a submenu of related commands.
As you explore each menu, be sure to take a look at the submenus as well. You'll also notice that many
commands are followed by keyboard shortcuts. Gradually, you'll want to get to know these keyboard shortcuts
as they can be incredible time savers.
As we make our way through this course, we'll be learning the
most useful keyboard shortcuts as we go along.
In addition to the menu bar, Photoshop often has context
sensitive menus for accessing some of the most likely commands
depending on which tool is selected and where you click. You
access the context sensitive menu by right clicking in Windows,
or pressing the Control key on a Macintosh.
One of the most convenient contextual menus can be accessed
by right clicking/Control clicking on the title bar of a document
for quick access to the duplicate command, image and canvas
size dialogs, file information, and page setup. If you already know
how to open an image, go ahead and try it now. Otherwise,
you'll learn how in the next section.

Lesson 1b: Status Bar

Let's continue our exploration of the Photoshop workspace. There are four main counterparts to the Photoshop
workspace: the menu bar, the status bar, the toolbox, and the palettes. We looked at the menu bars in the first
section. In this lesson we'll be learning about the status bar.

The Status Bar

Now take a look at the status bar along the bottom edge of the Photoshop workspace. The status bar is often
taken for granted or overlooked entirely, but it can be a valuable tool. You'll need an open document before
the status bar will display any information, so let's open one now.
Go to the File menu and choose Open, locate an image file and open it now. If you don't have an image file
handy, you can find several in the Stockart folder of the Photoshop application CD. Ctrl-O/Cmd-O is the
keyboard shortcut to open a file. This is the same shortcut used by most applications, so it should be an easy one
to remember. If you are a Windows user, you can quickly open a file by double clicking on the application
background. (Since there is no application background on the Mac OS, there is not a Macintosh equivalent to
this shortcut.)
To the far left of the status bar you will see the magnification level of the active document. You can
swipe your cursor in this area and type in a new number to change the magnification of your document. Go
ahead and try it now.
To return your document to 100% magnification, locate the zoom tool in the toolbox and double click the
button. The keyboard equivalent to this shortcut is Ctrl-Alt-0/Cmd-Option-0. (We'll explore more of the toolbar a
bit later.)
To the left of the magnification display on the status bar, you will see
a display of document sizes. The number on the left displays the uncompressed size of the image if it were to
have all layers flattened. The number on the right displays the uncompressed size of the document including all
layers and channels. It's important to know that both of these numbers will usually be larger than the final file size
of the saved document. For more on the Document Sizes display, look up Document Sizes option in the online
Help file.
Next to the Document sizes display there is a small black
arrow that pops up a menu. You'll find this arrow other
places in the Photoshop workspace, so when you see it,
remember that there is a menu hiding there. In this case, the
menu allows you to change what is displayed in this area of
the status bar. In addition to Document Sizes, you can
optionally choose to display Scratch Sizes, Efficiency, Timing,
or the current tool. You can look up each of these items in Photoshop's online Help for more information.
Next in the status bar, you can see useful information about the tool you have selected. If you still have the
zoom tool selected, your status bar should say "Zoom In" if you are outside of the document area. Move the
cursor into the document area and you will see the status bar display instructions for using that tool. Now hold
down the Alt/Option key and the status bar will show "Zoom Out" and the cursor will change to a minus sign.
Next try the Ctrl/Command key in conjunction with the zoom tool and observe the tips displayed in the status
bar. Try the other key combinations such as Ctrl-Shift/Cmd-Shift, or Ctrl-Alt/Cmd-Option while observing the
status bar instructions.
Let's review each of the zoom tool options:
No modifier key = click to zoom in; click and drag to zoom into a specific area
Double click = zoom to 100% magnification
Ctrl-Alt-0/Cmd-Option-0 = zoom to 100% magnification
Alt/Option = click to zoom out
Ctrl/Cmd = temporarily toggles to the move tool

Here are a few more zoom shortcuts we have not yet covered:
Double click the
Hand tool = zoom to fit the screen
Ctrl-0/Cmd-0 = zoom to fit the screen
Ctrl- /Cmd- (plus sign) = zoom in
Ctrl--/Cmd-- (minus sign) = zoom out

Lesson 1c: The Toolbox

Let's continue our exploration of the Photoshop workspace. There are four main counterparts to the Photoshop
workspace: the menu bar, the status bar, the toolbox, and the palettes. We've already covered the menu bar
and the status bar. In this lesson we'll be learning about the toolbox. Since this is a general overview of the
toolbox, the materials here are useful for any version of Photoshop.

The Toolbox

You got a jump start on learning about the zoom tool while we were studying the status bar in the
last section. Now let's explore more of the Photoshop toolbox. If you have the Quick Reference Card
that came with Photoshop, it would be a good idea to locate it now. If you cannot locate a copy,
Version 6.0 users can find a PDF file of the Quick Reference card on the main level of your Photoshop
installation CD. Version 5.x users can find a diagram of the toolbox and all hidden tools on page 25
of the Photoshop 5.0 User Guide.
When you look at the toolbox, notice how some of the buttons have a tiny arrow in the lower
right corner. This arrow indicates that other tools are hidden under that tool. To access the other
tools, click and hold down on a button and the other tools will pop out. Try this now by clicking on
the rectangle marquee tool and changing to the elliptical marquee tool. The hidden marquee tools
are shown here.

Now hold your cursor over one of the buttons and you should see a tooltip appear
that tells you the name of the tool and its keyboard shortcut. All the marquee tools
have a shortcut of M. An easier way to switch between the different hidden tools is to
use the keyboard shortcut along with the Shift key modifier. For the marquee tools,
the Shift-M combination toggles between the rectangular and elliptical marquee
tools. The single row marquee tools are less often used and must be selected from the
toolbox flyout. Another shortcut for cycling through the hidden tools is to Alt/Option
click on the toolbox button.
Take a few moments now to familiarize yourself with the tool names using the tooltips. Use the
shortcuts you've just learned to explore all the hidden tools. As you select each tool, note the hints
provided in the status bar area for each tool. Don't worry about using each tool for now; we'll get to that soon
enough. For now, you should just get to know the tool locations and their icons.
Moving down in the toolbox, we come to the color swatches. This is where the foreground
and background colors are displayed. The tiny arrow to the top right allows you to swap
foreground and background colors. The tiny black and white swatch symbol to the lower
left allows you to reset the colors to the default of black foreground and white
background. Hold your cursor over those two areas to learn the keyboard shortcuts. To
change a color, simply click on either the foreground or background color swatch and
select a new color in the color picker. Experiment by changing the foreground and
background colors and then resetting them back to defaults.

The next two buttons on the toolbox allow you to toggle between quick mask and selection mode.
We'll learn more about this later in future lessons.

Below that you have a set of three buttons that allow you to change the appearance of the
workspace. Hold your cursor over each button to see what it does. Notice the keyboard shortcut for all three is F.
Hitting F repeatedly toggles between all three modes. Try it now.
This is a convenient place to mention a few more shortcuts for modifying the workspace appearance. Feel free
to try them out as you read. When in either of the full screen modes, you can toggle the menu bar on and off
with the Shift-F key combination. In any screen mode you can toggle the toolbox, status bar, and palettes on
and off with the Tab key. To hide only palettes and leave the toolbox visible, use Shift-Tab.
The last button on the toolbox is for moving your document to ImageReady. We will not be exploring
ImageReady in this course.
Before we move on to the palettes, let's review what we learned about the toolbox:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

An arrow indicates a flyout of hidden tools.

Each main tool has a single letter keyboard shortcut assigned to it.
The Shift key combined with a tool shortcut allows you to toggle the hidden tools.
D = resets the foreground color to black and background color to white.
X = swap foreground and background colors.
F = toggles screen modes
Shift-F = Turns menu bar on and off in full screen modes
Tab = toggles the toolbox, status bar, and palettes on and off
Shift-Tab = toggle only the palettes on and off

Lesson 1d: Palettes

Let's continue our exploration of the Photoshop workspace. There are four main counterparts to the Photoshop
workspace: the menu bar, the status bar, the toolbox, and the palettes. All that's left to cover now are the
palettes. Since this is a general overview of the palettes, the materials here are useful for any version of
Photoshop. You'll need to have an image open for this lesson, so go ahead and open one now.

The Navigator Palette grouped with the info and Options Palettes.

The Palettes

When you first open Photoshop, the palettes are stacked along the right edge of
your screen in palette groups. The first group contains the Navigator, Info, and
Options palettes. Next is the Color Swatches, and Brushes palettes. Below that are
the History and Actions Palettes. Finally, you have the Layers, Channels, and Paths
Palettes.

Notes for Version 6.0

In version 6, the options
palettes is replaced with the
options bar. The brushes
palette has become part of
the options bar, and three
new palettes have been
added: Styles, Character and
Paragraph.

Palette groups can be moved around in the workspace by clicking on the title bar
and dragging. Each palette group has a collapse and a close button in the title
bar area. Try the collapse button for each of the palette groups now. You'll notice
the button works as a toggle, clicking the button a second time after the palette is collapsed will expand the
palette again. You may also notice that some palettes do not completely collapse. Try collapsing the color
palettes and you'll see that the color ramp is still visible.

Color Palette Partially Collapsed

Color Palette Completely Collapsed

Color Palette Expanded

For palettes that partially collapse, you can completely collapse them by holding down the Alt/Option key as
you press the collapse button. You can also collapse a group by double clicking on any of the palette tabs. To
display a collapsed palette, just click once on the palette tab if it's in the back of the group, or double click if it's
in the front of the group.
Palettes can be resized either by holding your cursor over an edge and dragging when the cursor changes to a
double pointing arrow, or by clicking and dragging on the right corner. Only the Color, Options, and Info
palettes are not resizable.
When you click the close button on a palette group it closes all the palettes in the Notes for Mac Users
group. To display a palette that is not shown, you can either choose the command
I have received reports that
from the Window Menu, or display the palette using its keyboard shortcut. They
the function keys to
are:
show/hide palettes do not
work on the Mac. Mac
Enter or Return = Show/Hide Options Palette (V5.x only)
users will need to access
Double click tool button = Show/Hide Options Palette (V5.x
these commands from the
only)
Window menu.

F5
F6
F7
F8
F9

=
=
=
=
=

Show/Hide
Show/Hide
Show/Hide
Show/Hide
Show/Hide

Brushes Palette
Color Palette
Layers Palette
Info Palette
Actions Palette

And don't forget these which we learned in the last lesson:

Tab = Show/Hide Toolbar and all Palettes

Shift-Tab = Show/Hide all Palettes

To bring a grouped palette to the front of the group, click on the palette's tab. You can also ungroup and
rearrange the palettes by clicking on a tab and dragging it outside of the group or to another group. Try it
now by dragging the navigator palette out of it's default group. Then put it back by dragging it back onto
the palette group.
Notes for Version 6.0
In version 6, several palettes can be grouped in one large super-group. To do this, drag a palette to the bottom edge of
another palette group. An outline will appear long the bottom edge and then you can let go. Now the two palettes will be
attached, but not overlapping. You can attach several palettes this way to create one massive palette collection.

Docking two palettes

Two palettes that have been docked

Also in Photoshop 6.0, you have a palette well in the options bar. You can drag palettes to this area
and they will remain there hidden until you click on the palette tab to reveal it. (If you cannot see the
palette well of the options bar, you will need to adjust your screen resolution to at least 1024x768
pixels.)
Another common feature of all the palettes is the palette menu. Notice the small arrow in the upper
right corner of each palette. If you recall from our lessons on the menu and status bar, this indicates a
pop-out menu. Whenever you see me refer to a palette menu throughout these lessons, you'll know I
mean this menu for whichever palette is being discussed. Take a look at the palette menu for each
of the palettes now. Notice that each individual palette has a unique menu.
Practice showing, hiding and moving the various palettes, click on the palette tabs to familiarize
yourself with each palette, and take a look at each of the palette menus while you're at it.

Notes for Version 6.0

If you'd like to return the palettes to the default locations after you finish
In Photoshop 6, the commands
experimenting, go to File > Preferences > General and click the button to reset
to reset and save palette
Palette Locations. If you always want to start Photoshop with you palettes this way,
locations have moved. Reset
uncheck the box "Save Palette Locations" box while you are there. If you work with Palette Locations is under the
Window menu. Preferences is
many large images you may prefer to keep your palettes collapsed along the
under the Edit menu.
bottom edge of the Photoshop workspace to give you the maximum space for
documents. We'll take a closer look at each of the individual palettes in future lessons.

Zoom shortcuts:

No modifier key = click to zoom in; click and drag to zoom into a specific area
Ctrl- /Cmd- (plus sign) = zoom in
Double click the Zoom tool = zoom to 100% magnification
Ctrl-Alt-0/Cmd-Option-0 = zoom to 100% magnification
Double click the Hand tool = zoom to fit the screen
Ctrl-0/Cmd-0 = zoom to fit the screen
Alt/Option with zoom tool = click to zoom out
Ctrl--/Cmd-- (minus sign) = zoom out
Type any number into the status bar magnifation level display.

Opening a File:

File > Open

Ctrl-O/Cmd-O
Double click the application background (Windows Only)

Screen Mode and Display:

F = toggles screen modes

Shift-F = Turns menu bar on and off in full screen modes
Tab = toggles the toolbox, status bar, and palettes on and off
Shift-Tab = toggle only the palettes on and off

Palettes:

Enter or Return = Show/Hide Options Palette (V5.x only)

Double click tool button = Show/Hide Options Palette (V5.x only)
F5 = Show/Hide Brushes Palette
F6 = Show/Hide Color Palette
F7 = Show/Hide Layers Palette
F8 = Show/Hide Info Palette
F9 = Show/Hide Actions Palette

Other Shortcuts:

D = resets the foreground color to black and background color to white.

X = swap foreground and background colors.
M = marquee tool
Shift-M = toggle rectangular and elliptical marquee tools

Lesson 2: Working with Documents

Lesson 2a: Navigator Palette and Hand Tool
Now that you've gotten familiar with the Photoshop interface, I'm sure you're eager to get started working with
documents. Let's get right to it. In lesson one, we learned several ways to zoom in and out of documents. Now
let's look at the Navigator palette and hand tool for even more ways of navigating a document. (Continued
below...)
First, the Navigator palette. If yours is not showing, display it now using any of the methods you learned
previously.

You'll also need to open a document. In the center of the Navigator palette, you'll see a small thumbnail
representation of your image, surrounded by a red outline representing the visible area of your document. If
your entire image is visible, the outline surrounds the entire thumbnail. If you look at the palette menu, you can
choose palette options to change the color of the outline.
Below the thumbnail, we find even more controls for zooming. The text entry
field lets you type in any magnification number, and the slider lets you adjust magnification up and down, and
the two buttons on either side of the slider allow you to zoom in and out by set intervals.
If you move the slider all the way to the right, you'll see the maximum zoom level is 1600%. Move the slider back
and forth a few times slowly and observe the red outline in the Navigator preview. As you can see, it gives you a
visual clue as to what part of your image you are viewing. Click anywhere in the Navigator preview to move the
focus to that area of the image. Click and drag in the preview to pan around your document. Remember, you
can drag the edges of the navigator palette to change its size. The preview will increase as you increase the
palette size.
Another way to pan around a document is with the Hand tool. When the hand tool is selected you can just
click and drag in your document to pan the visible area. Try it now. Okay, now that you've tried it... make that
the last time you ever use the Hand tool because I am going to tell you the one keyboard shortcut you will find
yourself using all the time: Spacebar = Hand tool.
No matter which tool is active, the spacebar always temporarily activates the hand tool. Learn it; use it; and
never look at the hand tool again. I'm not even going to bother telling you the shortcut and modifiers for the
Hand tool; if you're curious, you know by now how to find that out.
At any time while working, when you need the most accurate representation of what you're working on, you
should set the magnification to 100%. At any other magnification, there is going to be some level of distortion.
Remember the current magnification level will always be displayed in the status bar, the navigator palette, or in
the title bar of the document window.

Lesson 2b: New View and Duplicate

Choose View > New View (Window > Documents > New Window in Photoshop 7) and another window
containing the same document will appear. This is not a duplicate image (notice the file name displayed in the
title bar is exactly the same). It is merely a second view of the very same image. Any edits you make in either
window will appear in both windows. This allows you to set two different magnifications for the same image

simultaneously. You'll find this very useful when you need to zoom way in on part of a document for editing fine
details, and at the same time you can see the results of your editing in actual size.
And that leads us right to the Duplicate command. This command is found under the Image menu, but I find it
most convenient to access by right clicking on the title bar (Windows only). Choose the Duplicate command
now and you'll be prompted for a new file name. By default, Photoshop appends the word "copy" to the end of
the original file name.

Duplicating an image is a handy thing to do when you want to preserve your original, or if you want to continue
editing, but you think you may want to return to a certain state at some point in the future. Duplicate, continue
editing, and if things go wrong along the way you can just do away with the duplicate and return to the
previous version. (The snapshot feature of the history palette is actually a better way to do this, but we'll learn
about that later.)
The next command on the title bar context-sensitive menu is the Image Size command (also found in the Image
menu). This is where you change the size and resolution of your images. Before we get into using the Image Size
command, we need to cover some fundamentals of image size and resolution. This is always a confusing topic
for many people, so you might want to take a break now and approach the next section with a clear head.

Lesson 2c: Image Size and Resolution

Contrary to what you might think, ppi is not the same as dpi. Almost everyone these days has a inkjet printer so
let's think about your inkjet printer for a moment. How many colors of ink are in your inkjet printer? Most of them
have at least four and possibly six ink colors. When your printer lays down ink, it lays it down in overlapping dots
of these four or six colors. Images are made up of pixels and Photoshop defines resolution in pixels per inch. In a
typical RGB image, a single pixel represents one color out of the millions of colors that can be reproduced onscreen.
So how can a printer with only six colors of ink reproduce millions of colors? Well, certainly not by printing a single
dot for each pixel in your image! In reality, for each pixel in an image, your printer may lay down several dots of
overlapping color that mix together to make up the color of that single pixel. All this is said to help you
understand why you would use an image resolution setting of 150 ppi in Photoshop in order to output an image
with a printed resolution of 300 dpi. It's simple; your printer needs to use more than one dot to represent the color
of a single pixel.
To clear up another confusing matter, resolution (ppi or dpi) has no bearing at all for images that will be viewed
on screen. The only thing that means anything for screen display is the pixel dimensions; that is, the number of
pixels that make up the width and the number of pixels that make up the height of the image.
If you've been told that you need to use 72 or 96 ppi for the Web, it's only because that is approximately what a
typical monitor can display. But, because we have the ability to adjust the pixel dimensions of our monitor, and
because monitors come in varying sizes, an image with the same pixel dimensions is not always going to appear
the same size on screen on every system and with every monitor. However, an image that is 100 by 200 pixels will
always be 100 x 200 pixels, unless you resample that image. And that brings us right back to the image size
dialog box...

Lesson 2d: Image Size Dialog Box

First we have the pixel dimensions of the image. The drop-down menu allows you to change the dimensions
using percentages instead of pixel values.

The next section is the Print Size. The default here is inches, but you can change it to cm, points, picas, or
percent. For this course we'll only be dealing with inches. Also under print size is the resolution setting defined in
either pixels/inch (ppi) or pixels/cm.
Notes for Version 6.0
In version 6, this section is labeled "Document Size" instead of "Print Size." In my opinion, Print Size was less
confusing, but who can say what the reasoning was behind the change.

Now notice the link icons to the right of both the width and height entry fields. This means the height and width
are linked together, so when you change the value of one, the other is changed proportionally. Try typing a
number into any of those fields and observe how it effects both the height and width. To unlink the height and
width, you can uncheck the constrain proportions check box. You'll rarely want to do this, though, because it
distorts your image.
The Resample checkbox determines whether or not you preserve the pixel data in the image and it has a direct
effect on the resolution field of the image size dialog. Resampling an image always involves a change in the
pixel dimensions. The general rule is this:

When you are changing the onscreen size of an image you usually want to select the resample
checkbox, modify the pixel dimensions, and set the resolution to 72.
When you are changing the print size of an image you will generally want to leave the resample box
unselected, and either adjust the print dimensions or the resolution to get the results you need.
o As you increase the print dimensions, your resolution decreases (thus, print quality decreases).
o As you increase resolution, the print size must decrease based on the amount of pixel data
available.

If you do not have enough pixel data to get the print size and resolution you need, then you'll have to resample
the image and Photoshop will create new pixels. This often results in poorer quality print results, so you need to

judge which is the lesser of two evils: the loss in quality from reduced resolution or the loss in quality from
resampling.
Next to the resample check box, you'll see the menu where you can choose the interpolation method
Photoshop uses to create new pixels.

Bicubic is the default and gives you the best results.

Bilinear is faster but not as accurate as Bicubic.
Nearest Neighbor does not anti-alias at all and is very fast, but because it does not blend the pixels, it
results in a jagged appearance.

Next we're going to experiment with the image size command so you can get comfortable working with it.
Choose your Photoshop version below to go to the appropriate page.

Lesson 2e: Canvas Size

Canvas Size allows you to change the overall size of the document canvas without altering the contents of the
document. When you increase the document size, the new canvas area is added in the current background
color or it will be transparent if you have no background layer. Normally you'll only be using Canvas size to
increase the size of the canvas, but it can be used to decrease (or crop) the canvas also.
Open an image and choose the Canvas Size command so you can look at the dialog box now.

As you can see the current size is shown at the top. There are fields for entering new width and height
dimensions. You can enter your dimensions as percentages, pixels, inches, cm, points, or picas. The anchor
diagram lets you specify how the canvas is modified. By default, the middle box is selected which adds an
equal amount of new canvas on all sides of your image (assuming you're increasing the canvas size). When you
select any of the other squares, the canvas is modified in the opposite direction. For example, pressing the
bottom middle square will add space to the top of your canvas.
Try it now by entering new numbers in the width and height to increase the canvas size, leaving the middle
anchor square selected. Assuming your background color is the default white, you should have extra white
space added all all sides of the canvas. Choose Edit > Undo (or Ctrl-Z/Command-Z) to undo the change and
then choose a different background color. Try the Canvas size command again using a different anchor
selection and see how it effects your image. Experiment with Canvas Size until you're comfortable with it.
By the way, if you enter some number in the dialog box and you change your mind and want to get the original
numbers back, hold down the Alt/Option key and the Cancel button will change to a Reset button. Pressing

reset will return all values to what they were. This trick works in just about all of Photoshop's dialog boxes, and it
comes in very handy, so you'll want to add this one to your essential shortcuts list.
The Canvas Size command is fine when you want to add an equal amount of space to your canvas, or when
you know the exact dimensions you need to adjust, but there is a much more intuitive and flexible way to
increase, and decrease, your canvas size visually... the Crop tool.

Lesson 2f: Crop Tool

In Photoshop 5.x, the crop tool is hidden under the marquee tools. In version 6 it has its own toolbar button. But
the crop tool has a very easy keyboard shortcut to remember, so you'll rarely need to bother with selecting it
from the toolbox. The shortcut for activating the crop tool is C. The crop tool in Photoshop can actually do much
more than crop your images. As I mentioned in the last section, the crop tool can be used to increase your
canvas size. It can also be used to rotate and resample images, and in Photoshop 6 it can be used to quickly
correct the perspective of an image.
Let's start by exploring the most common use of the crop tool... cropping, of course! Open any image and
select the Crop tool. To select an area to be cropped, just click and drag in your image and when you let go,
the crop marquee will appear. There's no need to be precise when making the first selection, because you can
edit your selection before committing to the crop. You can always save some time if you get it right the first
time; however, the default crop cursor makes it somewhat difficult to see exactly where your selection begins
and ends.
The selection point actually begins and ends at the very center of the crop tool, approximately where
I've placed a red dot in the screen shot here. If you want exact precision however, you will want to
switch to a crosshair cursor. At any time, you can switch from standard to precise cursors by enabling
the Caps Lock key. This works with the painting tools as well. Try it out. You may find that the precise
cursor is hard to see in some backgrounds, but it's nice to have the option when you need it.
OK, now pick which ever cursor preference you like and drag out a crop selection on your image. Notice the
hollow boxes in the corners and on each side of the selection marquee? These are called handles because you
can grab onto them to manipulate the selection.
Move your cursor over each of these handles and you'll notice it changes to a double pointing arrow to indicate
that you can resize the selection border. Make some adjustments to your crop selection now using the handles.
You'll notice if you drag a corner handle you can adjust the width and height at the same time. If you hold the
shift key down while dragging a corner handle it constrains the height and width proportions.
You'll find if you try to move the selection border to just a few pixels from any of the document edges, the border
automatically snaps to the document edge. This makes it nearly impossible to trim just a few pixels from an
image, but you can disable this snapping behavior by holding down the Ctrl (Windows only) key when you get
close to an edge. On Windows or Macintosh, you can toggle snapping on and off by pressing Ctrl/Command-;
or from the View menu.
Notes for Version 6.0
In Photoshop 6, the cropped area is shielded with a gray screen. This makes it easier to visualize how the
cropping affects the overall composition. You can change the shielded area color and opacity from the
options bar after you make a crop selection. You can also disable the shading, by unchecking the "Shield
cropped area" checkbox.

Now move your cursor inside the selection marquee. The cursor changes to a solid black arrow indicating that
you can move the selection. Holding the shift key while you move the selection constrains your movements.
But that's not all... move your cursor to just outside one of the corner handles and you'll see it change to a
double pointing curved arrow. When the curved arrow cursor is active you can rotate the selection marquee.
This allows you to crop and straighten a crooked image at the same time. Just align one of the crop edges to a

portion of the image that should be horizontal or vertical, and when you invoke the crop, it will rotate the image
to conform to your selection. The center point on the crop marquee determines the center point to which the
marquee is rotated. You can move this center point to change the center of rotation by clicking on it and
dragging.
Notes for Version 6.0

Notes for Version 6.0

In version 6 you
can also use the
check mark button on the
options bar to commit to
the crop, or the X button to
cancel the crop.
In Photoshop 6, after you draw the crop selection, you have a checkbox on the options bar to adjust the
perspective. This is useful for photos of buildings where there is some distortion. When you select the
perspective check box, you can move your cursor over any of the corner handles and it will change to a
shaded arrow. Then you can click and drag each corner of the crop marquee independently. To correct
perspective distortion, move the top corners of the selection marquee inward, so that the sides of the
selection are aligned with the edges of the building you want to correct.
If you change your mind after you've made a crop selection, you can back out of it by pressing Esc. To commit
to your selection and make the crop permanent, you can press Enter or Return, or simply double click inside the
selection marquee.

Notes for Version 6.0

In Photoshop 6, if you are cropping a layered image, you can choose whether you want to delete the
cropped area permanently, or just hide the area outside of the crop marquee. These options will appear on
the options bar. The hide option retains those pixels, but resizes the canvas so they are not visible. This area
outside the visible canvas is called "big data" and you can make it visible again by choosing Image > Reveal
all. The delete/hide options will be dimmed when cropping a background layer or when using the
perspective option. Keep in mind that the hide option requires more memory and disk space when you save
the file.
Take a few moments now to practice cropping and manipulating the crop selection using all the methods
we've discussed so far. You can return your image to its original state at any time by going to File > Revert.
I also mentioned that you could resample an image via the crop tool. To do this you'll need to use the crop
options palette (or the options bar in Photoshop 6). The options palette for any tool can be accessed by double
clicking on the toolbar button.
In the crop tool options, there is a check box for Fixed Target size. When this
checkbox is activated, you can alter the image resolution. The Front Image button
fills in the fields with the current image size and resolution, otherwise, the last used
numbers will be remembered. Resampling with the crop tool is a bit difficult to
describe; I suggest you read about it on page 59 of the Photoshop 5.0 User Guide
(or look up Fixed Target Size Option in the online Help) and experiment with it to
get a feel for how it works.

Notes for Version 6.0

In version 6, there is no
check box; however,
typing numbers into the
width, height and resolution
fields alters the image
resolution rather than
cropping.