Photoshop Elements 5: The Missing Manual

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Chapter 19

chapter

19

Beyond the Basics

So far, everything in this book has been about what you can do with Elements right

out of the box. But like many things digital, there’s a thriving cottage industry

devoted to souping up Elements. You can add new brush shapes, Layer styles, and

fancy filters. Best of all, a lot of what’s out there is free. And many of the tools are

especially designed to make Elements behave more like Photoshop. This chapter

looks at some of these extras, how to manage the stuff you collect, and how to

know when you really do need the full version of Photoshop instead. You’ll also

learn about the many resources available for expanding your knowledge of

Elements beyond this book.

Graphics Tablets

Probably the most popular Elements accessory is a graphics tablet, which lets you

draw and paint with a pen-like stylus instead of a mouse. If trying to use the Lasso

tool with a mouse makes you feel like you’re trying to write on a mirror with a bar

of soap, then a graphics tablet is for you (Figure 19-1).

NOTE There are deluxe model tablet PCs that act as a monitor and let you work directly on

your image. But you need to budget a few thousand dollars for that kind of convenience.

Most tablets work like the one shown in Figure 19-1. You use the special pen on

the tablet just as you would a mouse on a mousepad; any changes you make appear

right on your monitor.

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