1. What features does Photoshop have that Photoshop Elements ...

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While working with Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements or other image editing software, you might have some questions. While I've tried to avoid the most technical aspects of using Elements in the tutorial, you may run into them. In this section, I attempt to answer some of the frequently asked questions about using the program and also examine some of the technical difficulties you may experience in the future with image editors. Some of the questions concern features that were not covered in the tutorial. In the Tips and Tricks section, I offer tips for more effective use of Elements or other imaging software. 1. What features does Photoshop have that Photoshop Elements doesn't? Generally, Elements has about 90% of the features as its big brother, Photoshop (at one-fifth the cost). Elements doesn't allow you to work in any CMYK color mode, only RGB and Indexed color. This means it doesn't allow you to create color separations. Color separations are important for people working in color print publishing, but not of concern for on-screen imagery, ink-jet printing or photo processing printing. Elements has fewer Web design features, such as not being able to create rollovers. It’s also missing a few of Photoshop’s filters and brushes. The full version of Photoshop allows you to save a series of processes as Actions and load them back in later, Elements does not offer this feature. You can also save your settings in some dialog box with the full version, but not in Elements. Elements features an interface (menus and commands) almost identical to the full version; so once you’ve learned Elements, it’s pretty easy to learn how to use the full version. The full version of Photoshop does not include the Organizer. 2. Why doesn’t the Macintosh version of Elements 3 include the Organizer? The Organizer is a pretty cool tool for importing and cataloging your images and Create mode lets you make calendars, cards and even slide shows. But alas the Macintosh version does not include the Organizer. Mac users need not worry. Apple provides iPhoto as part of the iLife software. iPhoto is quite similar to the Organizer and is integrated with other iLife programs including iMovie and Garage Band. If you are a Mac user, you owe it to yourself to learn how to use iPhoto.

Transcript of 1. What features does Photoshop have that Photoshop Elements ...

While working with Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements or other image editing software, you might have some questions. While I've tried to avoid the most technical aspects of using Elements in the tutorial, you may run into them. In this section, I attempt to answer some of the frequently asked questions about using the program and also examine some of the technical difficulties you may experience in the future with image editors. Some of the questions concern features that were not covered in the tutorial. In the Tips and Tricks section, I offer tips for more effective use of Elements or other imaging software.

1. What features does Photoshop have that Photoshop Elements doesn't?

Generally, Elements has about 90% of the features as its big brother, Photoshop (at one-fifth the cost). Elements doesn't allow you to work in any CMYK color mode, only RGB and Indexed color. This means it doesn't allow you to create color separations. Color separations are important for people working in color print publishing, but not of concern for on-screen imagery, ink-jet printing or photo processing printing. Elements has fewer Web design features, such as not being able to create rollovers. It’s also missing a few of Photoshop’s filters and brushes. The full version of Photoshop allows you to save a series of processes as Actions and load them back in later, Elements does not offer this feature. You can also save your settings in some dialog box with the full version, but not in Elements.

Elements features an interface (menus and commands) almost identical to the full version; so once you’ve learned Elements, it’s pretty easy to learn how to use the full version. The full version of Photoshop does not include the Organizer.

2. Why doesn’t the Macintosh version of Elements 3 include the Organizer?

The Organizer is a pretty cool tool for importing and cataloging your images and Create mode lets you make calendars, cards and even slide shows. But alas the Macintosh version does not include the Organizer. Mac users need not worry. Apple provides iPhoto as part of the iLife software. iPhoto is quite similar to the Organizer and is integrated with other iLife programs including iMovie and Garage Band. If you are a Mac user, you owe it to yourself to learn how to use iPhoto.

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3. Why would I want to use the File Browser rather than the Organizer? Within Elements’ Editor is the File Browser (accessed via File>Browse Folders). This can be used for importing and previewing images. Most of its capabilities are also contained in the Organizer, but the Organizer has a more user friendly interface. Two downsides to using the File Browser: it slows your computer down and it’s not good with working with large collections of images. Most users will want to use the Organizer, with a couple of noticeable exceptions. Since the Macintosh version of Elements does not include the Organizer, Mac users may want to use the File Browser to preview files and open multiple files. If you need to delete, rename or move files you cannot do that in the Organizer, but you can in the File Browser.

4. When I double-click on a JPEG file why does it open in some other program?

Computer files have associations assigned to them, so the computer knows which program to open the file in. Since JPEG files can be opened by many different programs (including Web browsers) they may not open in Photoshop Elements. You can set JPEG’s to open in Elements. To do this from within Elements, select Edit>File Association and put a check mark next to JPEG in the File Association Manager dialog box. That should do the trick.

On a Macintosh, click once on any JPG file in the Finder. Then select File>Get Info. Now you can set file associations in this dialog box.

5. What should I do if my computer operates slowly while I’m working in Elements?

Manipulating digital photographs requires a lot of memory (RAM). When your computer runs very low on memory, it's liable to freeze up (crash). Of course, sometimes there are just bugs in the software that cause crashes. But, Elements is a pretty solid piece of software and generally doesn't have too many “undocumented features” (bugs).

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The bigger the images and the higher the ppi, the more memory is required. Having multiple documents open adds to the load. Running multiple programs at the same time is very memory intensive. If you're short on memory, restart your computer before working with Elements and have no other programs running at the same time. Starting and quitting applications repeatedly can fragment a computer's memory. When memory is fragmented (not available in a single, contiguous block) applications may be unable to access all of their allocated memory. You fix this by restarting the computer. In fact, here's the single simplest advice on the topic- when your computer starts acting screwy, restart the computer.

6. Does having lots of layers affect performance?

Working with large files can slow Element's performance. Files quickly increase in size as you add multiple layers. Each layer you add to a photo can increase the file size by the amount of the original photo, depending on the objects on the layer. That means that a photo with three layers can be up to three times the size of the same photo with one layer. To manage layers in your files efficiently, merge (flatten) them when you no longer need to edit the layers individually (from the Layer menu, select Flatten Image).

7. How can I make the image larger in Elements?

In digital imaging, size is a relative thing. What you see on the screen doesn't reflect how big the image will be when printed. The Zoom tool gives you many different views of the same image, but the image's real size remains the same. The way to see the real dimensions of the image is to display on-screen rulers (View>Rulers) or to use the Image>Resize>Image Size command. In the Image Size dialog box, you can type in new dimensions for your image. Changing the ppi of your image (resampling) can also change the dimensions of your image. Making an image smaller (down-sampling) is not a problem, but enlarging it (up-sampling) by more than about 25% can result in jagged edges.

Here’s a neat trick in Elements. To crop a portion of an image to a specific size for printing, select the Crop tool and in the Options bar type in the dimensions and ppi you want. When you drag the crop tool, the cropping action will be constrained to trim the picture into those settings.

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8. Why do my images sometimes get so big when I display them on screen?

This happens with high-resolution images. Digital photos are not the only things that are made up of pixels; computer monitors also have pixels. Regardless of the printed size specified for the image, the size of an image on-screen is determined by the pixel dimensions of the image and the monitor size and setting. A large monitor set to 640 x 480 pixels uses larger pixels than a small monitor with the same setting. A monitor set to 1,024 x 768 resolution will display the image smaller.

In general terms, a 72 ppi image will be about life-size on screen, but a 300 ppi image will appear huge on screen. This is because those 300 pixels per inch have to be displayed at 72 pixels per inch (your monitor's resolution). To test this out, scan a picture at 72 ppi and then hold it up to your screen.

You might be zoomed in or out on an image. To check this refer to the magnification percentage displayed at the top of your image’s window or select View>Actual Pixels.

9. Why do some images look great on screen, but lousy when printed?

If you are preparing a file for print, getting the right size and resolution is important if you want your image to print with the highest possible quality. If a photo has too much information (too many pixels) it will take up unnecessary space on your hard disk and greatly slow down operations. On the other hand, if a photo is lacking in information (has too few pixels), it will look jagged or blurry.

Printing to a 1200 dpi (dots per inch) printer does not require an image resolution of 1200 ppi (pixels per inch). Working between 150 and 300 should give excellent results (depending on the size of the prints needed).

10. How can I allow more room on the screen for images?

More real estate on your screen means less scrolling around to the different parts of your image. Don’t forget to use the maximize button on Elements’ and your image’s windows to take advantage of your entire screen. Most graphics professionals use a 17” or larger monitor. In Elements 3 you can hide the Palette bin and Photo bin to make your image area larger by

clicking on the triangles next to them.

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11. How do I use my scanner or digital camera with Photoshop Elements?

If you want to use a scanner or a digital camera, the scanner or camera must be TWAIN-compliant, or have an Adobe Photoshop compatible plug-in module (driver). TWAIN drivers either come with your scanner or camera or can be downloaded from the manufacturer's Web site.

To install a driver, either run the installer it came with or drag it into Elements' Plug-ins folder on your hard disk, then restart Elements. You may need to have your scanner on when starting your computer for it to "see" the scanner. You scan or download from your digital camera from within Elements by switching to the Organizer and clicking the Get Photos button in the Shortcuts bar (Windows only). On the Mac you select File>Import>From Scanner.

If your scanner or digital camera does not have an Adobe Photoshop compatible plug-in module or is not TWAIN-compliant, you can use the manufacturer's software to obtain your photos and then save them to your hard disk in a Photoshop-compatible format.

If you're still having connection problems, consider the following solutions. Make sure you have the most current version of the driver. If it is current, reinstall the driver. Make sure any devices you’re using are properly connected to your computer and that the cables are not damaged. A bad connection can cause problems throughout your system.

Importing images from a camera is even easier. As soon as you connect your camera via a USB cable or a card reader, the Adobe Photo Downloader kicks into action. This automatically creates thumbnails of all images it finds and places them into your Organizer (Windows only). On a Macintosh, iPhoto automatically imports photos.

12. How can I stop Elements from trying to download every photo it finds on a disk or

camera card?

In the Organizer select Edit>Preferences. Click on the Camera or Card Reader options. Take the check mark off of Use Adobe Photo Downloader to get photos from camera or card reader.

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13. When I use the Adobe Photo Downloader, where do my pictures end up?

If you decide to have Elements actually copy the image files to your computer, by default they will be put in your My Pictures folder (which is in your My Documents folder). Inside My Pictures you will find a new folder called Adobe and inside that folder will be ones for each type of import. Inside one of these will a folder created for each import session.

To change that location, go to Preferences in the Organizer or select File>Get Photos from Camera. This launches the Adobe Photo Downloader. Click the Browse button to specify a new location to copy your photos to.

14. Can I scan several pictures at once?

One of the coolest new features in Elements 3 is its ability to scan several pictures at once on a flatbed scanner, and then automatically divide the scanned image into separate photo files. For best results, the photos need to have a clear separation between them. For images with white areas near an edge this command will work best if you place a piece of colored paper behind the photos.

To do this technique; simply scan a group of photos at once and then in the Editor, choose Image > Divide Scanned Photos. Elements will automatically divide the scan and create a separate file for each.

15. Does Elements come with clip art?

Unfortunately not, however there are many other sources. You can buy extensive collections on CD for very little money or find it on the Web. You can search for images by a specific keyword by going to Ditto.com or using Google’s or AltaVista’s search for images commands. Be cautious, just because you find it on the Web doesn’t mean you have copyright clearance to reproduce it. You can purchase reproducible photographs very economically at istockphoto.com.

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16. What is setting "Preferences" about?

Photoshop Elements enables you to customize many of the program’s settings, which are stored in a preferences file. The settings stored in this file include general display options, ruler units, keyboard commands and numerous other options. You set most of these options in dialog boxes that you open by choosing Edit >Preferences (on the Macintosh use Photoshop Elements>Preferences).

17. Why do I sometimes get the message that nothing is selected, when I think I have something selected?

If a message appears stating that an operation, such as deletion of a selection, could not be completed because the selected area is empty, make sure that the layer with the selection you want to edit is active (appears highlighted) in the Layers palette. To make a layer active, click its name in the Layers palette.

18. I have trouble selecting areas with irregular edges. What advice do you have?

Selecting an area with very detailed edges is a difficult proposition. Special software, costing hundreds of dollars, is sold just to do this task in Photoshop. Fortunately, Elements throws in a few tools for free.

To select irregularly shaped areas, use the Magnetic Lasso Tool. This tool lets you select part of a photo by tracing around it with the mouse. The Selection Brush Tool lets you “paint” over an area to select it. The Magic Wand selection tool can be used for selecting an area with similar colors. Adjusting settings in the Options box helps make these tools work better. Zooming in before selecting also helps make the process easier.

The Magnetic Lasso Tool helps you select an irregularly shaped area by using color differences to detect the edges. As the Magnetic Lasso detects an edge, it lays down points, if you don't like where the selection line falls, back up the mouse to the last point. If you want to remove the last point, press Delete as you move the cursor over the point. To cancel the entire selection and begin again, press Esc.

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19. How can I paste things together, so they don't look so "cut out"?

When you cut a piece out of one image and paste it into another, it can have harsh edges around it. Although you can't completely make it look like the paste belongs in the new location, you can "soften" the shock. After you select the cut out, select Select>Feather. In the dialog box make the Feather Radius value around 30. Now drag the feathered selection to your other image's window. It should have a "soft" edge.

20. What’s the difference between the Healing Brush and the Spot Healing Brush? In the tutorial you used the Spot Healing Brush to remove a tear in a photo. Did you notice that there is also a Healing Brush? So how do you decide which to use? Easy; the Healing Brush tool works best in larger areas whereas the Spot Healing Brush repairs small areas such as lines and cracks. The Healing Brush is used similarly to the Clone Stamp tool for cleaning up broad areas. The Blur tool can also be used to smooth out blemishes or other distractions.

21. How do I use the Histogram palette?

The histogram displays a graph showing the range of values in an image (Window>Histogram). The darkest values are represented on the left side while the darkest pixels are represented on the far right side. A photo with good color produces a histogram with peaks at both ends, which means it has good detail in both shadows and highlights. A photo that’s underexposed would have a gap on the right side of the histogram, indicating the absence of light pixels. A photo that’s overexposed would have a cliff on the right.

You fix these problems using the Enhance>Adjust Lighting>Levels command.

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22. How can I recover from disaster?

Sometimes a bold move results in a bold mistake. Fortunately, Elements allows almost unlimited levels of “undo”. If you make a mistake the first defense is to immediately select Edit>Undo… If you didn’t catch the mistake immediately you can display the Undo History palette and click on how many moves back you want to go. If things get really fouled up you can select Edit>Revert to Saved to reload the file the way in the form it was last saved in. Here are a few other safety tips:

Use the Layers palette to first create a duplicate layer (drag the layer to the New Layer icon). Do your experimenting on the duplicate layer and then decide whether to delete the original or duplicate layer. You could also use an Adjustment layer.

Instead of working on your original masterpiece, create a copy of the file. Use File>Save As to save different versions of your image.

23. How can I create an Elements file from scratch?

Most of the time you'll be editing pictures in Photoshop, but occasionally you might want to start with a blank canvas. You might want to do this to create a title, a colored background or a space to build a photo collage; to do this, select File>New>Blank File and type in the dimensions and ppi for your new file in the dialog box. Here's a little tip: if you first copy a selection from another image (even in another program) and then invoke File>New>Image From Clipboard, the new file is formed using the dimensions of your selection. This is useful for creating a new version from another image.

24. How can I get my images ready to bring into PowerPoint, Word or other programs?

Most often, programs do not import files in the native Photoshop format (PSD), so you need to save your images in another format, to do this, use the File>Save As or File>Save for Web commands. Almost all PC programs can import files in the BMP format, and most Macintosh programs accept files in PICT format. But a more attractive format is JPEG. This format is readable between both platforms and can also be placed on Web pages. If you want to keep image quality high, save with minimum compression and don't re-compress in JPEG more than once.

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25. What about just copying and pasting between programs?

Ah, someone after my own heart; seeking the easiest route. This technique often works, assuming you have enough memory to keep both programs open at once and the other program accepts the paste. The downside of this is that you probably can't edit the image in the other program, and you might lose some quality. But give it a try; it doesn't cost anything.

26. What’s the deal with Camera raw format and 16 bit color? These items are primarily of interest only to serious photographers. A few high end digital cameras now allow you to save images in RAW format. With this format you create a custom original from your digital negative (the RAW file itself, which remains unchanged). These images are opened in a Camera Raw processing window where you can alter all kinds of settings, such as white balance. In effect, you “process” the film on your computer. You normally work with 8-bit images in image editing, but professional photographers may want to work in 16-bit mode for better tonal quality. Elements 3 now supports these types of images. You need to start with a RAW image. You can only do a few adjustments in 16-bit mode, layers and filters can only be done in 8-bit mode. Also, converting from 8-bit to 16-bit won’t improve your image quality. A more flexible option might be saving your photos in Uncompressed TIFF format if your camera supports that mode.

27. Can I move my files back and forth between Macintosh and Windows computers?

No problem! You can move files between platforms by saving them in a cross-platform file format and by getting them on a Windows formatted disk. There are several file formats that work on both Mac and Windows computers. If you have Photoshop or Elements on both computers you can open PSD files in either platform. More generic file formats are TIFF and JPEG. TIFF is high quality, but very large. When you save an Elements file in TIFF format, you can choose a format that can be read by either Windows or Mac OS systems. The JPEG format compresses the data. Depending on the level of compression, however, the loss of information may not be noticeable. Also when you save in any format other than PSD all of your layers will be flattened into one layer, so be sure to keep your original in PSD and save a copy.

All Macs can read PC-formatted disks, so if you copy your Mac work onto a PC disk, you can then bring it over to the Windows computer. Copy the file on to the hard drive and open it via the File>Open command within Elements or another program.

28. Where can I get technical support for Elements?

Elements comes with a thin manual, but has an excellent on-screen help mechanism (via the Help menu). Selecting Help>Online Support will take you to Adobe’s Web site for additional information.