Adobe Photoshop – Best Practices.

 

Photoshop is a very powerful software which allows user to accomplish same tasks in  endless number of ways. It is difficult to understand which technique is best to accomplish a task when you have so many ways to achieve the same result. This is a short article in which we will cover the best practices and artist should follow while working  in Adobe Photoshop.

 

1. Working on a Separate Layers

When you work in photoshop, it is always advisable to work in a separate layers instead of applying all the changes to the background layer. When you work in separate layer it gives you the flexibility to go back and make changes later. Always create new layers and name them accordingly for new modification and new effect you apply to your background

2. Masking instead of Deleting

Most artists delete or erase the content in the layer. This is one of the destructive way of editing. Artists should use masking techniques to avoid losing image content. Masking temporarily hides the selected part of the layer which can be made visible again by deleting the mask.

 

Use masking instead of deleting parts of your layers

3. Use Shortcuts

A real photoshop artist should have one hand on mouse or a pen and other on keyboard.Here are the list of default shortcut

 

• Cmd/Ctrl + T – Free Transform
• Cmd/Ctrl + Enter – Accept typing
• Cmd/Ctrl + S – Save document
• Cmd/Ctrl + A – Select all
• Cmd/Ctrl + D – Deselect
• Cmd/Ctrl + I – Invert colors
• Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + I – Invert selection
• Cmd/Ctrl + click on layer’s thumbnail – Selection based on Layer’s content
• Cmd/Ctrl + Option/Alt + A – Select All Layers
• Option/Alt + click between two layers – Clipping Mask
• Cmd/Ctrl + G – Group Layers
• Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + G – Ungroup Layers

4. Clean up Unused Layers

We create to many layers when we use different filters to get the desired effect. Deleting unused layers will not only keep the layer tab clean but also reduce the PSD size.

5.Use Adjustment Layers

Using adjustments from the image menu is again a destructive method of editing. The changes will be applied to the selected layer and it will be difficult to make changes later on. If you use Adjustment layer it will create a new layer which will allow you to control the opacity and fill of the layer. It will also allow you to change the blending mode and layer settings.

6. Be Organized

As an artist it is important to be organized. Name and arrange layers appropriately. It is tedious job but it will save time in a long run especially if you are working in a team.

7. Use Filters wisely

You can apply filters to your image layers as a Smart Filters. You can activate  or deactivate and also change settings and blending modes of Smart filters. You can add multiple filters in same Filter itself.

8. Learn to Navigate

• Space – Hand tool
• Z + drag right and left – Zoom in and out
• Hold down H + click – Bird’s eye view
• Cmd/Control + 0 – Fit to Screen
• Cmd/Control + 1 – Actual Size

9. Use Adobe Bridge

Adobe bridge is Photoshop’s native file management application. It is used to organize and find files , projects and images

 

10.Save PSD’s

PSD is a file format you save from Photoshop. An artist should always save PSD file. PSD is your working file which you will need to make amendment when necessary. Not saving a PSD file is like losing a big part of your work when your computer freezes or stops responding.