book

Photoshop® Elements 7 All-in-One For Dummies®

Name: Photoshop® Elements 7 All-in-One For Dummies®
ISBN: 9780470434130

by Ted Padova, Barbara Obermeier

March 2009

Beginner

702 pages

16h 1m

English

For Dummies

Read now

Unlock full access

Copyright
About the Authors
Authors' Acknowledgments
Publisher's Acknowledgments
Introduction
About This BookBook I: Introducing ElementsBook II: Elements FundamentalsBook III: Image EssentialsBook IV: SelectionsBook V: Painting, Drawing, and TypingBook VI: Working with Layers and MasksBook VII: Filters, Effects, Styles, and DistortionsBook VIII: Retouching and EnhancingBook IX: Creating and Sharing with ElementsAbout the Web SiteConventions Used in This BookIcons Used in This BookWhere to Go from Here
1. Introducing Elements
1. Examining the Elements Environment
1.1. Launching Elements1.1.1. Introducing Photoshop.com1.1.2. Opening the Organizer1.2. Changing Workspaces1.2.1. Visiting the Organizer1.2.2. Visiting Full Edit mode1.2.3. Visiting Quick Fix mode1.2.4. Comparing the modes1.2.5. Getting help with Guided mode1.3. Moving through the Menu Bar1.4. Using Context Menus1.5. Selecting Settings in the Options Bar1.6. Playing with Panels1.6.1. Getting choosy in the Favorites panel1.6.2. Using panel menus1.7. Using the Project Bin1.8. Getting Productive with Shortcuts1.9. Finding Help When You Need It1.9.1. Using Help1.9.2. Reading PDFs from the Installer CD-ROM1.9.3. Using tooltips1.9.4. Dialog boxes
2. Getting to Know the Tools
2.1. Examining the Tools Panel2.2. Getting to Know the Tools2.2.1. Using selection tools2.2.1.1. Geometric selection tools2.2.1.2. Lasso tools2.2.1.3. Magic Wand Tool2.2.1.4. Quick Selection tool2.2.2. Using drawing and painting tools2.2.2.1. Brush tools2.2.2.2. Smart Brush tools2.2.2.3. Eraser tools2.2.2.4. Paint Bucket tool2.2.2.5. Gradient tool2.2.3. Using tools for cloning and healing2.2.3.1. Cloning tools2.2.3.2. Healing brushes2.2.4. Creating text with typographical tools2.2.5. Using focus and toning tools2.2.5.1. Red-Eye Removal tool2.2.5.2. Toning tools2.2.5.3. Focus tools2.2.6. Creating shapes2.2.6.1. Cookie Cutter tool2.2.6.2. Shape tools2.2.7. Viewing, navigating, and sampling tools2.2.7.1. Eyedropper tool2.2.7.2. Hand tool2.2.7.3. Zoom tool2.2.8. Other editing tools2.2.8.1. Move tool2.2.8.2. Crop tool2.2.8.3. Straighten tool2.3. Introducing the Automation Tools
3. Viewing and Navigating Images
3.1. Looking at the Image Window3.2. Zooming In and Out of Image Windows3.2.1. Zooming with keyboard shortcuts3.2.2. Using the Zoom tool3.2.3. Moving the Hand tool3.3. Cruising with the Navigator Panel3.4. Using the Grids and Guides3.5. Using the Info Palette3.6. Working with Your Content
4. Setting Your Preferences
4.1. Understanding Preferences4.2. Setting Full Edit Mode Preferences4.2.1. Setting General preferences4.2.2. Setting Saving Files preferences4.2.3. Setting Performance preferences4.2.4. Setting Display & Cursors preferences4.2.5. Setting Transparency preferences4.2.6. Units & Rulers4.2.7. Setting Grid preferences4.2.8. Setting Plug-ins preferences4.2.9. Setting Type preferences4.3. Setting Up the Organizing Environment4.3.1. Setting General preferences4.3.2. Setting Files preferences4.3.3. Setting Folder Location View preferences4.3.4. Setting Editing preferences4.3.5. Setting Camera or Card Reader preferences4.3.6. Setting Scanner preferences4.3.7. Setting Date View preferences4.3.8. Setting Keyword Tags and Albums preferences4.3.9. Setting Sharing preferences4.3.10. Setting Adobe Partner Services preferences4.3.11. Setting Backup/Synchronization preferences

2. Elements Fundamentals
5. Acquiring, Saving, and Exporting Images
5.1. Getting Images from Your Camera5.2. Getting Images from Your Card Reader5.3. Using the Photoshop Elements Downloader5.4. Using the AutoPlay Wizard5.5. Scanning Images5.5.1. Preparing before you scan5.5.2. Understanding image requirements5.5.3. Using scanner plug-ins5.5.4. Scanning many photos at a time5.5.5. Using WIA-compliant scanners (Windows only)5.6. Phoning In Your Images5.7. Getting Files from Folders5.8. Opening an Image in Full Edit Mode5.8.1. Using Open As5.8.2. Opening recently edited files5.8.3. Placing files5.9. Creating a New Image5.10. Converting Clipboard Data to Images5.11. Saving Files5.11.1. Using the Save/Save As dialog box5.11.2. Saving files for the Web5.12. Batch Processing Files5.12.1. Exporting files5.12.2. Processing Multiple Files5.13. Adding Pages5.14. Closing and Quitting
6. Working in the Organizer
6.1. Cataloging Files6.1.1. Adding files to the default Organizer view6.1.2. Adding additional photos to a catalog6.1.3. Importing images to a new catalog6.1.4. Importing legacy catalogs6.1.5. Switching catalogs6.2. Viewing Images in the Organizer6.2.1. Thumbnail view6.2.2. Import Batch view6.2.3. Folder Location view6.2.4. Date View6.2.5. Show Map6.3. Viewing Images in a Slideshow6.3.1. Setting up your images for viewing6.3.2. Working with the toolbar6.4. Sorting Images6.4.1. Using sort commands6.4.2. Sorting media types6.5. Using Search Options6.5.1. Searching by date6.5.2. Searching for untagged items6.5.3. Searching albums6.5.4. Searching captions and notes6.5.4.1. Adding captions and notes6.5.4.2. Searching the captions and notes content6.5.5. Searching by history6.5.6. Searching metadata6.5.7. Searching faces6.6. Organizing and Managing in the Organizer6.6.1. Creating a new keyword tag6.6.2. Working with keyword tags6.6.3. Using the Timeline6.6.4. Using the Properties panel6.7. Creating Albums6.7.1. Rating images6.7.2. Adding rated files to an album6.7.2.1. Creating an album6.7.2.2. Creating a Smart Album6.7.2.3. Creating an Album Group6.8. Hiding Files That Get in the Way6.8.1. Stacking 'em up6.8.2. Creating versions6.9. Protecting Your Assets6.9.1. Backing up your catalog6.9.2. Backing up photos and files
3. Image Essentials
7. Specifying Resolution and Changing Image Sizing
7.1. Examining Images Closely7.1.1. Understanding resolution7.1.2. Understanding image dimensions7.1.3. Understanding camera megapixels7.1.4. Looking at raster versus vector images7.2. Using the Image Size Command7.2.1. Downsampling images7.2.2. Upsampling images7.3. Using the Scale Command7.4. Choosing a Resolution for Print or Screen7.5. Changing the Canvas Size
8. Choosing Color Modes and File Formats
8.1. Selecting a Color Mode8.2. Converting Color Modes and Profiles8.2.1. Converting to Bitmap mode8.2.2. Converting to Grayscale mode8.2.3. Converting to Indexed Color mode8.2.4. Converting color profiles8.3. Using the Proper File Format8.3.1. Using the Save/Save As dialog box8.3.2. Understanding file formats8.3.2.1. Photoshop (*.PSD, *.PDD)8.3.2.2. BMP (*.BMP, *.RLE, *.DIB)8.3.2.3. CompuServe GIF (*.GIF)8.3.2.4. Photo Project Format (*.PSE)8.3.2.5. Photoshop EPS (*.EPS)8.3.2.6. JPEG (*.JPG, *.JPEG, *.JPE)8.3.2.7. JPEG 2000 (*.JPF, *.JPX, *.JP2, *. J2K, *.JPC)8.3.2.8. PCX (*.PCX)8.3.2.9. Photoshop PDF (*.PDF, *.PDP)8.3.2.10. Photoshop Raw (*.RAW)8.3.2.11. PICT File (*.PCT, *.PICT)8.3.2.12. Pixar (*.PXR)8.3.2.13. PNG (*.PNG)8.3.2.14. Scitex CT (*.SCT)8.3.2.15. Targa (*.TGA, *.VDA, *.ICB, *.VST)8.3.2.16. TIFF (*.TIF, *.TIFF)8.3.3. File formats at a glance8.3.4. Saving files for the Web
9. Working with Camera Raw
9.1. Understanding Camera Raw9.1.1. Processing Camera Raw files9.1.2. Acquiring Camera Raw images9.2. Opening Camera Raw Files9.3. Saving Your Edits
10. Using and Managing Color
10.1. Dealing with Foreground and Background Colors10.2. Defining Color10.2.1. Poking around the Color Picker10.2.2. Grabbing color from the Swatches panel10.2.2.1. Using preset color panels10.2.2.2. Creating a custom swatch set10.2.2.3. Loading swatches10.2.2.4. Replacing swatches10.2.3. Lifting and sampling color10.3. Understanding Color Management Essentials10.3.1. Introducing color channels10.3.2. Understanding bit depth10.3.3. Calibrating your monitor10.4. Establishing Your Color Settings10.5. Understanding How Profiles Work
11. Time Travel — Undoing in Elements
11.1. Undoing What's Done with the Undo Command11.1.1. Adjusting the number of available undos11.1.2. Redoing edits11.2. Reverting to What's Saved11.3. Working with the Almighty Undo History Panel11.3.1. Viewing an image's various states11.3.2. Navigating through the history states11.3.3. Deleting and clearing states
4. Selections
12. Making Selections
12.1. Defining Selections12.2. Selecting a Rectangular or Elliptical Area12.2.1. Fine-tuning squares and circles12.2.2. Using the Marquee options12.3. Freeform Selecting with the Lasso Tools12.3.1. Using the Lasso tool12.3.2. Selecting straight sides with the Polygonal Lasso tool12.3.3. Hugging edges with the Magnetic Lasso tool12.4. Performing Wand Wizardry12.4.1. Talking about Tolerance12.4.2. Selecting with the Magic Wand tool12.5. Saving Time with the Quick Selection Tool12.6. Painting with the Selection Brush
13. Modifying and Transforming Selections
13.1. Modifying Selections13.1.1. Adding to a selection13.1.2. Subtracting from a selection13.1.3. Intersecting two selections13.2. Avoiding Keyboard Collisions13.2.1. Adding a perfectly square or circular selection13.2.2. Deleting from an existing selection while drawing from the center out13.3. Using the Select Menu13.3.1. Selecting all or nothing13.3.2. Reselecting a selection13.3.3. Inversing a selection13.3.4. Feathering a selection13.3.5. Using the Modify commands13.3.6. Applying the Grow and Similar commands13.4. Moving and Cloning Selections13.4.1. Cloning13.4.2. Moving the selection outline, but not the pixels13.5. Transforming Pixels
5. Painting, Drawing, and Typing
14. Painting and Drawing with Elements
14.1. Introducing the Pencil and Brush Tools14.1.1. Drawing with the Pencil tool14.1.2. Painting with the Brush tool14.1.3. Getting artsy with the Impressionist Brush14.1.4. Creating a custom brush14.2. Creating Shapes14.2.1. Drawing a shape14.2.2. Drawing multiple shapes in a shape layer14.2.3. Specifying Geometry options14.2.3.1. Rectangle and Rounded Rectangle Geometry options14.2.3.2. Elliptical-shape Geometry options14.2.3.3. Polygon Geometry options14.2.3.4. Line Geometry options14.2.3.5. Custom Shape Geometry options14.2.4. Editing shapes
15. Filling and Stroking
15.1. Filling a Selection with a Solid Color15.2. Filling Options and Tips15.3. Pouring with the Paint Bucket Tool15.4. Stroking a Selection15.5. Working with Multicolored Gradients15.5.1. Applying a preset gradient to a selection15.5.2. Customizing and editing gradients15.5.3. Adding transparency to a gradient15.6. Managing and Saving Gradients15.7. Working with Patterns15.7.1. Applying a preset pattern15.7.2. Creating a new pattern
16. Working with Type
16.1. Understanding Type Modes16.2. Understanding Different Kinds of Type16.3. Exploring the Type Tools16.4. Entering Point Type16.5. Entering Paragraph Type16.6. Using the Options Bar16.7. Editing Text16.8. Rasterizing the Type Layer16.9. Masking with Type16.10. Stylizing and Warping Type16.10.1. Playing with type opacity16.10.2. Applying filters to type16.10.3. Painting over type with color16.10.4. Warping your type
6. Working with Layers and Masks
17. Creating Layers
17.1. Getting Familiar with Layers17.2. Introducing Different Types of Layers17.2.1. Working with image layers17.2.2. Using adjustment layers17.2.3. Viewing and deleting adjustment layers17.2.3.1. Editing adjustment layers17.2.3.2. Switching adjustment layers17.2.3.3. Isolating your adjustments17.2.4. Taking advantage of fill layers17.2.5. Making use of shape layers17.2.6. Using type layers17.3. Getting to Know the Layers Panel17.4. Using the Layer and Select Menus17.4.1. The Layer menu17.4.2. The Select menu17.5. Making Layers17.5.1. Creating a new layer17.5.2. Using Layer via Copy and Layer via Cut17.5.3. Duplicating layers17.6. Compositing with Multiple Images17.6.1. Copying and pasting images17.6.2. Dragging and dropping layers17.6.3. Using the Paste into Selection command
18. Managing Layers
18.1. Viewing Layers18.2. Rearranging Layers18.3. Moving Layer Elements18.4. Transforming Layers18.5. Simplifying Layers18.6. Aligning and Distributing Layers18.7. Linking Layers18.8. Locking Layers18.9. Flattening and Merging Layers18.9.1. Merging layers18.9.2. Flattening layers
19. Playing with Opacity and Blend Modes
19.1. Adjusting Layer Opacity19.2. Creatively Mixing with Blend Modes19.2.1. General blend modes19.2.2. Blend modes that darken19.2.3. Blend modes that lighten19.2.4. Lighting blend modes19.2.5. Blend modes that invert19.2.6. HSL color model blend modes
20. Working with Masking
20.1. Working with the Cookie Cutter Tool20.2. Using the Magic Extractor20.3. Selective Erasing with the Eraser Tools20.3.1. Using the Eraser tool20.3.2. Selecting and erasing by color20.3.3. Removing the background from an image20.4. Working with Layer Masks20.5. Creating Clipping Groups
7. Filters, Effects, Styles, and Distortions
21. Making Corrections and Having Fun with Filters
21.1. Understanding Filter Basics21.1.1. Applying filters21.1.2. Corrective and destructive filters21.1.3. Single and multistep filters21.1.4. Reapplying a filter21.1.5. Fading a filter21.1.6. Selectively applying a filter21.2. Working in the Filter Gallery21.3. Having Fun with Filters21.3.1. Correcting camera distortion21.3.2. The Facet filter21.3.3. Getting artsy21.3.4. Stroking your image21.3.5. Distorting for fun21.3.6. Getting noisy21.3.7. Breaking your image into pieces21.3.8. Rendering21.3.9. Getting organic with the Sketch filters21.3.10. Adding texture
22. Distorting with the Liquify Command
22.1. Exploring the Liquify Window22.1.1. The distortion painting tools22.1.2. The other tools22.2. The Options Area22.3. Distorting an Image with Liquify
23. Adding Pizazz with Styles and Effects
23.1. Seeing What the Effects Panel Can Do23.1.1. Enhancing with Photo Effects23.1.2. Working with layer styles23.1.3. Editing layer styles
8. Retouching and Enhancing
24. Quick Image Makeovers
24.1. Cropping an Image24.1.1. Cutting away with the Crop tool24.1.2. Cropping with a selection border24.2. Straightening Images24.2.1. Using the Straighten tool24.2.2. Using the Straighten menu commands24.3. Using the Divide Scanned Photos Command24.4. Applying One-Step Auto Fixes24.4.1. Auto Smart Fix24.4.2. Auto Levels24.4.3. Auto Contrast24.4.4. Auto Color Correction24.4.5. Auto Sharpen24.4.6. Auto Red Eye Fix24.4.6.1. Using the Red Eye Removal tool24.5. Editing with Quick Fix Mode24.6. Cloning with the Clone Stamp Tool24.7. Cosmetic Surgery with the Healing Brush Tool24.8. Zeroing In with the Spot Healing Brush24.9. Colorizing with the Color Replacement Tool24.10. Lightening and Darkening with Dodge and Burn Tools24.11. Turning Color Up or Down with the Sponge Tool24.12. Smoothing with the Smudge Tool24.13. Softening with the Blur Tool24.14. Focusing with the Sharpen Tool
25. Correcting Lighting, Color, and Clarity
25.1. Understanding the Histogram Panel25.2. Adjusting Lighting25.2.1. Fixing lighting with Shadows/Highlights25.2.2. Using Brightness/Contrast25.2.3. Nailing proper contrast with Levels25.3. Adjusting Color25.3.1. Removing color casts automatically25.3.2. Adjusting with Hue/Saturation25.3.3. Eliminating color with Remove Color25.3.4. Switching colors with Replace Color25.3.5. Correcting with Color Curves25.3.6. Adjusting skin tones25.3.7. Defringing layers25.3.8. Correcting with Color Variations25.3.9. Adjusting color temperature with photo filters25.3.10. Mapping your colors25.3.10.1. Equalize25.3.10.2. Gradient Map25.3.10.3. Invert25.3.10.4. Threshold25.3.10.5. Posterize25.4. Adjusting Clarity25.4.1. Removing noise, artifacts, dust, and scratches25.4.2. Blurring when you need to25.4.3. Sharpening for better focus25.5. Working Intelligently with the Smart Brush Tools25.5.1. Using the Smart Brush25.5.2. Getting accurate with the Detailed Smart Brush
26. Compositing with Photomerge
26.1. Stitching a Scene with Photomerge Panorama26.2. Getting the Best Shot with Photomerge Group Shot26.3. Manipulating Image DNA with Photomerge Faces26.4. Eliminating with Photomerge Scene Cleaner
27. Getting Help in Guided Mode
27.1. Understanding Guided Mode27.2. Basic Photo Edits27.3. Lighting and Exposure27.4. Color Correction27.5. Guided Activities27.6. Photomerge27.7. Automated Actions27.8. Photographic Effect
9. Creating and Sharing with Elements
28. Creating Elements Projects
28.1. Getting a Handle on Creations28.2. Creating a Photo Book28.3. Making a Photo Calendar28.4. Assembling a Photo Collage28.5. Creating a Slideshow28.6. Ordering Prints Online28.7. Getting in Touch with Greeting Cards28.8. Making Photo Stamps28.9. Getting Organized with CD/DVD Labels28.10. Creating a VCD with Menu28.11. Making a Flipbook
29. Getting It Printed
29.1. Getting Images Ready for Printing29.2. Setting Print Options29.2.1. Printing from the Organizer29.2.1.1. Using Page Setup29.2.1.2. Using More Options29.2.2. Printing from Full Edit mode29.3. Printing Multiple Images29.3.1. Printing contact sheets29.3.2. Printing picture packages29.4. Printing with Color Profiles29.4.1. Working with color printer profiles29.4.2. Understanding how Elements uses color profiles29.4.3. Converting color to a printer profile29.5. Printing to Inkjet Printers29.5.1. Automatic profile selection for Epson printers29.5.2. Selecting a printer profile29.5.3. Printing with a custom profile29.6. Submitting Files to Service Centers29.7. Using Online Printing Services29.8. Exploring Other Print Options
30. Getting It on the Web
30.1. Understanding Basic Web Optimization30.1.1. Choosing a resolution30.1.1.1. Upsampling images30.1.1.2. Rasterizing files30.1.1.3. Choosing FileOpen30.1.2. Selecting a color mode30.1.3. Understanding file formats30.1.3.1. GIF30.1.3.2. JPEG30.1.3.3. JPEG 200030.1.3.4. PNG30.2. Using a Web-Safe Palette and Hexadecimal Colors30.2.1. Specifying a foreground Web Safe color30.2.2. Using a Web Safe palette30.3. Making Type Look Good Onscreen30.4. Optimizing Images with Save for Web30.5. Creating an Online Gallery
31. Sharing Projects with Others
31.1. Creating an Online Album31.2. Creating an E-mail Attachment31.3. Sending Photo Mail31.4. Creating a CD/DVD31.5. Creating Slides and Slideshows31.5.1. Creating a project31.5.2. Exporting to slides and video31.6. Sharing Photos Online31.6.1. Using Kodak EasyShare31.6.2. Using Photoshop.com31.6.2.1. Creating a Photoshop.com account31.6.2.2. Sharing a photo album online31.6.2.3. Backing up and synchronizing your files31.6.2.4. Getting help with Elements from Photoshop.com
32. Working in Bridge
32.1. Managing Images with Adobe Bridge32.1.1. Brief anatomy of Bridge32.1.2. Configuring the Bridge window32.1.3. Using the Menu bar and buttons32.1.3.1. Bridge menu32.1.3.2. File menu32.1.3.3. Edit menu32.1.3.4. View menu32.1.3.5. Stacks menu32.1.3.6. Label menu32.1.3.7. Tools menu32.1.3.8. Window menu32.1.4. Using keywords32.2. Creating PDF Presentations32.3. Creating a Web Gallery
33. Using the Content Panel
33.1. Working with the Content Panel33.1.1. Using categories and subcategories33.1.2. Filtering categories33.2. Adding Artwork to Your Image33.2.1. Using the tools33.2.2. Adding Content panel objects to images

Content preview from Photoshop® Elements 7 All-in-One For Dummies®

Chapter 19. Playing with Opacity and Blend Modes

In This Chapter

Adjusting opacity
Applying blend modes for effects
Setting the blend options

In this chapter, we show you how to have a little fun and get those creative juices flowing. This chapter, along with Chapters 1 and 3 in Book VII, gives you a few ways to tweak the layers you've so diligently created. Maybe you want to make one of your layers semitransparent so that you can see the layer beneath it; or you might want to try blending the colors between a couple layers in a way that's slightly offbeat. Look no further.

Take these techniques as far as you want. And remember, there's no substitute for good, old experimentation. Before you jump into these techniques, it helps to have a handle on the methods of layer creation and management that we explain in Book VI, Chapters 1 and 2.

Adjusting Layer Opacity

By far one of the easiest ways to make your image look interesting is to have one image ghosted over another, as shown in Figure 3-1. Creating this effect is an easy task with the Opacity option in the Layers panel. You adjust the opacity by selecting your desired layer in the Layers panel. Then, either access the slider by clicking the right-pointing arrow or enter a percentage value in the Opacity text box.

Adjusting the opacity enables one image to ghost over another.

Figure 19.1. Adjusting the ...

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.

Read now

Unlock full access

More than 5,000 organizations count on O’Reilly

O’Reilly covers everything we've got, with content to help us build a world-class technology community, upgrade the capabilities and competencies of our teams, and improve overall team performance as well as their engagement.

Julian F.

Head of Cybersecurity

I wanted to learn C and C++, but it didn't click for me until I picked up an O'Reilly book. When I went on the O’Reilly platform, I was astonished to find all the books there, plus live events and sandboxes so you could play around with the technology.

Addison B.

Field Engineer

I’ve been on the O’Reilly platform for more than eight years. I use a couple of learning platforms, but I'm on O'Reilly more than anybody else. When you're there, you start learning. I'm never disappointed.

Amir M.

Data Platform Tech Lead

I'm always learning. So when I got on to O'Reilly, I was like a kid in a candy store. There are playlists. There are answers. There's on-demand training. It's worth its weight in gold, in terms of what it allows me to do.

Mark W.

Embedded Software Engineer

Photoshop® Elements 8 All-in-One For Dummies®

Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9780470434130Purchase book

Cloud Computing

Data Engineering

Data Science

AI & ML

Programming Languages

Software Architecture

IT/Ops

Security

Design

Business

Soft Skills

Photoshop® Elements 7 All-in-One For Dummies®

by Ted Padova, Barbara Obermeier

Chapter 19. Playing with Opacity and Blend Modes

Adjusting Layer Opacity

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.