Chapter 2. Getting to Know the Tools Panel
In This Chapter
Using the Tools panel
Taking a look at what each tool does
Creating tool presets
After you have a good grasp of the overall Photoshop environment (described in Book I, Chapter 1), you're ready to dive into the cache of gadgets that — along with the menus, panels, and dialog boxes — make it all happen. Just like you can use a saw, hammer, and nails to transform a pile of 2-x-4s into a garden gazebo, you can use the Lasso tool, Healing Brush, and Smudge tool to convert a mediocre photo into a masterpiece that's fit to be framed. But remember, behind every garden gazebo is a carpenter who knew how to use the tools required to build it.
Turning On the Tools Panel
You can access the Tools panel by choosing Window
To quickly hide and show the Tools panel (along with the other panels), press Tab.
To move the Tools panel anywhere within the Photoshop window, drag the title bar. Re-dock the Tools panel by dragging it back to its original location.
By default, the Tools panel is a single column. Click the double triangle at the top of the panel to display a two-column configuration.
Selecting tools
To select a tool, simply click it in the Tools panel. A small black triangle in the bottom-right corner of a tool slot indicates that more tools are ...
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