book

Photoshop Elements 13 For Dummies

by Barbara Obermeier, Ted Padova

September 2014

Beginner

448 pages

9h 45m

English

For Dummies

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About This BookIcons Used in This BookBeyond the BookWhere to Go from Here
Launching the Photo EditorMaking Basic Edits in Quick ModeSharing a PhotoCreating Images from ScratchRetracing Your StepsUsing the History panelReverting to the last saveGetting a Helping HandSaving Files with PurposeUsing the Save/Save As dialog boxSaving files for the web
Grappling with the Ubiquitous PixelsUnderstanding resolutionUnderstanding image dimensionsThe Art of ResamplingChanging image size and resolutionUnderstanding the results of resamplingChoosing a Resolution for Print or OnscreenGo Ahead — Make My Mode!Converting to Bitmap modeConverting to Grayscale modeUnderstanding File FormatsFile formats at a glanceAudio and video formats supported in ElementsGetting Familiar with ColorGetting Color RightColor the easy wayCalibrating your monitorChoosing a color workspaceUnderstanding how profiles work
Examining the Photo EditorExamining the image windowUncovering the contextual menusSelecting the toolsSelecting from the Tool OptionsPlaying with panelsUsing the Photo BinCreating different views of an imageViewing filenamesUsing Photo Bin ActionsFinding Your Bearings in Guided ModeControlling the Editing EnvironmentLaunching and navigating preferencesChecking out all the preferences panesCustomizing Presets
Organizing Photos and Media on a Hard DriveAdding Images to the OrganizerAdding files from folders and removable mediaDownloading camera images with the Elements DownloaderImporting additional photos from foldersGetting photos from iPhoto (Mac only)Navigating the Media BrowserUsing a ScannerUnderstanding image requirementsUsing scanner plug-ins (Windows)Scanning on the MacScanning many photos at a timePhoning in Your ImagesSetting Organizer Preferences
Touring the OrganizerOrganizing Groups of Images with TagsCreating and viewing a tagAdding icons to tagsWorking with custom tagsWorking with default tagsWorking with subcategoriesSorting photos according to tagsRating Images with StarsAdding Images to an AlbumCreating an albumUsing albums for temporary workEditing an albumFinding out more about sharing your albumsAdding People in the Media BrowserPlacing Pictures on MapsWorking with Events
Cataloging FilesUsing the Catalog ManagerWorking with catalogsBacking up your catalogBacking up photos and files (Windows)Switching to a Different ViewViewing Photos in a Slide ShowSearching for PhotosUsing SearchSearching for untagged itemsSearching captions and notesSearching by historySearching metadataSearching similaritiesGrouping Files That Get in the WayMarking files as hiddenStacking ’em upCreating versions

Defining SelectionsCreating Rectangular and Elliptical SelectionsPerfecting squares and circles with Shift and Alt (Option on the Mac)Applying Marquee optionsMaking Freeform Selections with the Lasso ToolsSelecting with the Lasso toolGetting straight with the Polygonal Lasso toolSnapping with the Magnetic Lasso toolWorking Wizardry with the Magic WandTalking about ToleranceWielding the Wand to selectModifying Your SelectionsAdding to, subtracting from, and intersecting a selectionAvoiding key collisionsPainting with the Selection BrushPainting with the Quick Selection ToolFine-Tuning with the Refine Selection BrushWorking with the Cookie Cutter ToolEliminating with the Eraser ToolsThe Eraser toolThe Background Eraser toolThe Magic Eraser toolUsing the Select MenuSelecting all or nothingReselecting a selectionInversing a selectionFeathering a selectionRefining the edges of a selectionUsing the Modify commandsApplying the Grow and Similar commandsSaving and loading selections
Getting to Know LayersConverting a background to a layerAnatomy of the Layers panelUsing the Layer and Select menusWorking with Different Layer TypesImage layersAdjustment layersFill layersShape layersType layersTackling Layer BasicsCreating a new layer from scratchUsing Layer via Copy and Layer via CutDuplicating layersDragging and dropping layersUsing the Paste into Selection commandMoving a Layer’s ContentTransforming LayersAdding Layer MasksFlattening and Merging LayersFlattening layersMerging layers
Cropping and Straightening ImagesCutting away with the Crop toolCropping with a selection borderStraightening imagesRecomposing ImagesEmploying One-Step Auto FixesAuto Smart ToneAuto Smart FixAuto LevelsAuto ContrastAuto Color CorrectionAuto SharpenAuto Red Eye FixEditing in Quick ModeFixing Small Imperfections with ToolsCloning with the Clone Stamp toolRetouching with the Healing BrushZeroing in with the Spot Healing BrushRepositioning with the Content-Aware Move toolLightening and darkening with Dodge and Burn toolsSmudging away rough spotsSoftening with the Blur toolFocusing with the Sharpen toolSponging color on and offReplacing one color with another
Editing Your Photos Using a Logical WorkflowAdjusting LightingFixing lighting with Shadows/HighlightsUsing Brightness/ContrastPinpointing proper contrast with LevelsAdjusting ColorRemoving color casts automaticallyAdjusting with Hue/SaturationEliminating color with Remove ColorSwitching colors with Replace ColorCorrecting with Color CurvesAdjusting skin tonesDefringing layersAdjusting color temperature with photo filtersMapping your colorsAdjusting ClarityRemoving noise, artifacts, dust, and scratchesBlurring when you need toSharpening for better focusWorking Intelligently with the Smart Brush Tools
Having Fun with FiltersApplying filtersCorrective or destructive filtersOne-step or multistep filtersFading a filterSelectively applying a filterWorking in the Filter GalleryDistorting with the Liquify filterCorrecting Camera DistortionExploring Element’s Unique FiltersCreating a comicGetting graphicUsing the Pen and Ink filterDressing Up with Photo and Text EffectsAdding Shadows, Glows, and MoreApplying layer stylesWorking with layer stylesMixing It Up with Blend ModesGeneral blend modesDarken blend modesLighten blend modesLighting blend modesInverter blend modesHSL blend modesUsing PhotomergePhotomerge PanoramaPhotomerge Group ShotPhotomerge Scene CleanerPhotomerge ExposurePhotomerge Compose
Choosing ColorWorking with the Color PickerDipping into the Color Swatches panelSampling with the Eyedropper toolGetting Artsy with the Pencil and Brush ToolsDrawing with the Pencil toolPainting with the Brush toolUsing the Impressionist BrushCreating your own brushFilling and Outlining SelectionsFill ’er upOutlining with the Stroke commandSplashing on Color with the Paint Bucket ToolWorking with Multicolored GradientsApplying a preset gradientCustomizing gradientsWorking with PatternsApplying a preset patternCreating a new patternCreating Shapes of All SortsDrawing a shapeDrawing multiple shapesSpecifying Geometry optionsEditing shapes
Understanding Type BasicsToolsModesFormatsCreating Point TypeCreating Paragraph TypeCreating Path TypeUsing the Text On Selection toolUsing the Text On Shape toolUsing the Text On Custom Path toolSpecifying Type OptionsEditing TextSimplifying TypeMasking with TypeStylizing and Warping TypeAdjusting type opacityApplying filters to your typePainting your type with color and gradientsWarping your type
Getting Pictures Ready for PrintingWorking with Color Printer ProfilesPrinting a photo with the printer managing colorPrinting a photo with Elements managing colorPrinting a picture package or contact sheetGetting Familiar with the Print Dialog BoxUsing Page SetupCreating transfers, borders, and more with More Options
Getting Familiar with the Elements Sharing OptionsPlanning aheadUnderstanding photo sharing in ElementsWorking with Adobe RevelKnowing what Adobe Revel offers youDownloading the Adobe Revel applicationsUnderstanding the Adobe Revel interfaceEditing a photo with Adobe RevelSharing photos with Adobe RevelDownloading images from Adobe RevelUsing the Share PanelEmailing photosWorking with Adobe Premiere ElementsSharing your photos on social networks
Checking Out the Create PanelCreating Facebook Cover ImagesGrasping Creation-Assembly BasicsCreating a Slide ShowCreating a PDF Slide ShowMaking Additional Creations
Find a Focal PointUse the Rule of ThirdsCut the ClutterFrame Your ShotEmploy ContrastExperiment with ViewpointsUse Leading LinesUse LightGive DirectionConsider Direction of Movement
Screen SaversFlyers, Ads, and Online AuctionsClothes, Hats, and MorePostersHousehold and Business InventoriesProject DocumentationSchool Reports and ProjectsBlogsWait — There’s More

Overview

Take your photos from "meh" to "wow!" with Photoshop Elements 13 and this expert guide

Photoshop Elements 13 For Dummies is your guide to picture perfection using Adobe's Photoshop Elements. This full-color manual walks you through the process of photo editing, from basic color corrections to advanced filter effects, drawing, and more. Work through from beginning to end for a complete lesson, or keep it handy as a quick reference for unfamiliar tools and techniques. Designed for beginner and intermediate Photoshop Elements users, this book provides straightforward instruction in a fun, richly illustrated, easy-to-read style that makes learning feel like play.

Combining powerful tools with a user-friendly interface has made Photoshop Elements the number-one selling photo editing software. Photoshop Elements 13 For Dummies shows you how to take advantage of everything the software has to offer, helping you create high-quality images for print, e-mail, and the web. Even with no digital image editing experience at all, you'll learn how to take your photos from bland to beautiful and have a blast along the way.

Adjust resolutions, color modes, and file formats to best suit the project

Work with layers, filters, effects, styles, type, and more

Correct color, contrast and clarity for a simple photo makeover

Optimize for print, or share on Facebook, Flickr, and other social networks

The power and simplicity of Photoshop Elements makes it the perfect solution for amateurs seeking an affordable digital editing platform. The quicker you learn the tools, the sooner you'll be turning out photos to brag about - and Photoshop Elements 13 For Dummies will get you there in a flash.