Learning Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 - Introduction

Guided Computer Tutorials
Learning
Adobe
Photoshop
Elements 7
By Greg Bowden
PUBLISHED BY
GUIDED COMPUTER TUTORIALS

PO Box 311
Belmont, Victoria, 3216, Australia
www.gct.com.au
© Greg Bowden
This product is available in Single or Multi User versions.
Single-user versions are for single student or teacher use at any

particular time, just as a single text book would be used. If you intend
to use the notes with multiple students the single user version should
be upgraded to the multi-user version.
Multi-user versions allow the school or institution to print as many

copies as required, or to place the PDF files on the school network,
intranet and staff laptops. A certificate of authentication is provided
with multi-user versions. Bookmarks provide links to all headings and
sub-headings, and individual chapters are provided.
First published 2009
ISBN: Module 1: 1 921217 72 3

Module 2: 1 921217 73 1
PDF document on CD-ROM
Every effort has been made to ensure that images used in this
publication are free of copyright, but there may be instances where
this has not been possible. Guided Computer Tutorials would
welcome any information that would redress this situation.
Learning Photoshop Elements 7
Module 1 Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction to Photoshop

Starting Photoshop Elements.................................................................................1-1
The Tools Palette..........................................................................................................1-3
Using the Tools.............................................................................................................1-3
Layers...............................................................................................................................1-7
Loading a Sample File.................................................................................... 1-7
Looking at the Layers..................................................................................... 1-8
Layer Visibility................................................................................................... 1-9
Locking Layers................................................................................................1-10
Naming Layers . .............................................................................................1-11
Deleting Layers...............................................................................................1-12
Adding a New Layer.....................................................................................1-13
The Layer Order..............................................................................................1-15
Layer Opacity..................................................................................................1-16
Screen Views............................................................................................................... 1-17
The Zoom Tool........................................................................................................... 1-19
The Hand Tool............................................................................................................ 1-20
The Navigator Palette ............................................................................................ 1-21
Photoshop Assignment 1................................................................. 1-23
Chapter 2: Selecting Parts of Images

Loading a Sample Image..........................................................................................2-1
The Editing Tools..........................................................................................................2-2
The Edit Marquee .......................................................................................................2-3
The Rectangular Marquee Tool................................................................... 2-3
The Elliptical Marquee Tool.......................................................................... 2-4
Deselecting Objects...................................................................................................2-5
The Lasso Tools.............................................................................................................2-6
The Lasso Tool................................................................................................... 2-6
The Polygon Lasso Tool................................................................................. 2-7
© Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009 C-1

Learning Adobe Photoshop Elements 7
The Quick Selection Tool...........................................................................................2-9

Selecting the Cat.............................................................................................. 2-9
Adjusting the Selection . ............................................................................2-12
Refining the Edges........................................................................................2-13
Feathering the Selection....................................................................................... 2-14
Adding the Image to a Background ................................................................. 2-15
Resizing Images ....................................................................................................... 2-16
Saving the Document............................................................................................. 2-17
The Magic Wand Tool.............................................................................................. 2-18
Chapter 3: Modifying Images

Selecting the Correct Layer......................................................................................3-1
The Liquify Filter..........................................................................................................3-1
The Hand Tool................................................................................................... 3-2
The Warp Tool................................................................................................... 3-3
The Reconstruction Tool............................................................................... 3-5
Twirling................................................................................................................ 3-6
The Pucker Tool................................................................................................ 3-7
The Bloat Tool.................................................................................................... 3-8
The Shift Pixels Tool........................................................................................ 3-9
The Reflection Tool........................................................................................3-10
Turbulence.......................................................................................................3-11
Completing the Liquify Effect.............................................................................. 3-12
The Filter Gallery....................................................................................................... 3-13
Artistic and Brush Stroke Filters...............................................................3-13
Undoing an Effect..........................................................................................3-14
Distort . .............................................................................................................3-15
Sketch ...............................................................................................................3-15
Stylise . ..............................................................................................................3-16
Texture . ............................................................................................................3-16
The Effects Palette.................................................................................................... 3-17
C-2 © Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009

Contents
Chapter 4: The Drawing Tools

Starting a Blank Document......................................................................................4-1
Drawing Normal Shapes...........................................................................................4-1
Drawing Rectangles....................................................................................... 4-1
Rectangle Styles............................................................................................... 4-2
Using the Effects Palette............................................................................... 4-4
Creating Buttons.............................................................................................. 4-5
Creating a Rollover Button........................................................................... 4-7
Removing Styles and Effects....................................................................... 4-8
Custom Shapes.............................................................................................................4-9
Selecting a Shape............................................................................................ 4-9
Other Custom Shapes..................................................................................4-11
Creating Custom Borders or Frames.................................................................. 4-12
Creating a Frame............................................................................................4-12
Adjusting the Frame.....................................................................................4-14
Adding a Picture to the Frame..................................................................4-15
Chapter 5: Combining Shapes

Starting a New Document........................................................................................5-1
Creating a Combined Shape...................................................................................5-1
Drawing a Rectangle...................................................................................... 5-1
Cutting a Shape Out of the Rectangle..................................................... 5-2
Adding Shapes to Shapes............................................................................. 5-3
Subtracting From the Shape....................................................................... 5-4
Intersecting Shapes........................................................................................ 5-5
Photoshop Exercise 5-1.............................................................................................5-6
Using Shapes With Photographs...........................................................................5-6
Loading the Image.......................................................................................... 5-6
Magnifying the Head of the Cat .......................................................... 5-7
Adding the Shapes.......................................................................................... 5-8
Excluding Part of the Circle.......................................................................... 5-9
Adding a Handle to the Magnifying Glass............................................5-10
The Cookie Cutter Tool........................................................................................... 5-11
© Guided Computer Tutorials 2009 C-3

Chapter 6: Adding Text to Designs

Starting a New Document........................................................................................6-1
Entering Text.................................................................................................................6-1
Altering Text..................................................................................................................6-2
Warping Text.................................................................................................................6-3
Single Arced Text ............................................................................................ 6-3
Multiple Arcs..................................................................................................... 6-6
3-Dimensional Effects.................................................................................... 6-6
Text Orientation............................................................................................... 6-7
Vertical Text...................................................................................................................6-7
Adding Effects to Text................................................................................................6-8
Adjusting the Styles....................................................................................................6-9
Creating a Poster....................................................................................................... 6-11
Entering the Main Heading........................................................................6-11
Adjusting the Main Heading.....................................................................6-13
Entering the Sub Headings........................................................................6-14
Looking at the Layers...................................................................................6-16
Printing......................................................................................................................... 6-16
Chapter 7: Adjusting the Look of Images

Loading a Sample File................................................................................................7-1
The Blur Tool..................................................................................................................7-1
The Sharpen Tool.........................................................................................................7-2
The Smudge Tool.........................................................................................................7-3
The Sponge Tool..........................................................................................................7-4
The Burn Tool................................................................................................................7-5
The Dodge Tool............................................................................................................7-7
Gradient Fills..................................................................................................................7-9
The Gradient Settings.................................................................................... 7-9
Applying the Gradient.................................................................................7-10
Removing Backgrounds......................................................................................... 7-12
The Impressionist Brush......................................................................................... 7-13
The Red Eye Removal Tool..................................................................................... 7-14

Contents
Chapter 8: Combining Photographs

Photomerging..............................................................................................................8-1
Selecting the Photographs.......................................................................... 8-1
Looking at the Photos.................................................................................... 8-3
Cropping the Image...................................................................................................8-4
Photo Books..................................................................................................................8-5
Open the Photos.............................................................................................. 8-5
Creating the Photo Book.............................................................................. 8-6
Looking at the Book....................................................................................... 8-8
Chapter 9: Creating Masks

Creating a Transparent Layer...................................................................................9-1
Drawing a Circular Selection Area.........................................................................9-2
Filling the Selection Area..........................................................................................9-2
Naming the Layer........................................................................................................9-3
Adding a Background File........................................................................................9-3
Adjusting the Mask.....................................................................................................9-6
Other Masks...................................................................................................................9-7
Creating the Mask Shape.............................................................................. 9-7
Inserting a Photo............................................................................................. 9-8
Creating the Mask........................................................................................... 9-9
Enhancing the Mask.....................................................................................9-10
Quick Masks................................................................................................................ 9-13

Chapter 10: Smart Brushes

The Blue Skies Brush................................................................................................ 10-1
The Reverse Black and White Brush................................................................... 10-3
Applying the Brush.......................................................................................10-3
Refining the Selection.................................................................................10-4
Improving Smiles...................................................................................................... 10-6
Whitening Teeth.............................................................................................10-6
Enhancing the Lips.......................................................................................10-8
Photoshop Assignment 10.............................................................10-10
Chapter 11: Saving Files

Saving a Copy of a File............................................................................................ 11-1
Saving as a JPEG Format ....................................................................................... 11-2
Saving Images for the Web................................................................................... 11-3
Saving for the Web........................................................................................11-3
JPEG or GIF Formats......................................................................................11-4
Setting the Size of the Photograph........................................................11-4
Compression Settings..................................................................................11-5
Optimizing the File Size..............................................................................11-7
Previewing in a Browser..............................................................................11-8
Saving................................................................................................................11-9
Photoshop Project 1
Investigating the Problem.....................................................................................P1-1
Designing the Solution..........................................................................................P1-1
The Solution...............................................................................................................P1-1
Evaluation....................................................................................................................P1-2

Contents
Module 2 Contents
Chapter 12: Repairing Parts of Images

The Clone Stamp Tool............................................................................................. 12-1
Loading the Image........................................................................................12-1
The Clone Stamp Settings..........................................................................12-2
Cloning..............................................................................................................12-3
Unaligned Cloning........................................................................................12-5
Removing the Cat..................................................................................................... 12-6
Cropping Images...................................................................................................... 12-9
The Healing Brush Tool.........................................................................................12-11
The Spot Healing Brush Tool..............................................................................12-13
Chapter 13: Applying Filters

Loading the Sample Photo................................................................................... 13-1
Selecting the Background . .................................................................................. 13-1
Selecting the Car............................................................................................13-1
Setting the Feather.......................................................................................13-4
Showing the Selection................................................................................13-4
Applying a Gaussian Blur....................................................................................... 13-4
Motion Blurs............................................................................................................... 13-6
Applying Filters to the Car..................................................................................... 13-7
The Reduce Noise Filter...............................................................................13-7
Applying a Lighting Effect Filter...............................................................13-8

Chapter 14: Creating Balls and Spheres

Starting a New Document..................................................................................... 14-1
Filling the Layer......................................................................................................... 14-2
Creating the Lighting and Reflection Effects.................................................. 14-3
Completing the Effect............................................................................................. 14-3
Copying the Effect.................................................................................................... 14-5
Changing the Ball Colour....................................................................................... 14-7
Adding a Shadow..................................................................................................... 14-8
Adding a Background...........................................................................................14-10
Linking Layers..........................................................................................................14-11
Copying the Ball......................................................................................................14-12
Chapter 15: Artistic Filters

Setting the Background......................................................................................... 15-2
Creating the Ocean.................................................................................................. 15-3
Adding Perspective to the Ocean....................................................................... 15-5
Adding the Ship........................................................................................................ 15-7
Resizing the Ship...................................................................................................... 15-7
Adding Some Land to the Sketch....................................................................... 15-8
Copying the Land..........................................................................................15-8
Blurring the Image........................................................................................15-9
Adjusting the Land.................................................................................... 15-10
Creating the Port Hole..........................................................................................15-11
Drawing the Port Hole.............................................................................. 15-11
Adding 3-D Effects..................................................................................... 15-13
Adjusting the Port Hole........................................................................................15-14

Contents
Chapter 16: Adjustment Layers

Brightness/Contrast layers.................................................................................... 16-1
Loading the Sample Photo........................................................................16-1
Inserting the Brightness/Contrast Layer...............................................16-2
Displaying Part of the Background Layer.............................................16-3
Adjusting the Brightness and Contrast.................................................16-5
Levels Layers............................................................................................................... 16-6
Inserting the Levels Layer...........................................................................16-7
Applying Multiple Layers....................................................................................... 16-8
Inserting a Brightness/Contrast Layer....................................................16-9
Setting a Gradient Map Layer................................................................ 16-10
Colourizing the Face.................................................................................. 16-11
Solid Colour Layers.................................................................................... 16-12
Chapter 17: Enhancing Photos of Faces

Loading the Image................................................................................................... 17-1
Duplicating the Layer.............................................................................................. 17-2
Blurring the Image................................................................................................... 17-2
Adding a Mask to the Layer.................................................................................. 17-3
Sharpening the Eyes................................................................................................ 17-4
Merging Layers.......................................................................................................... 17-5
Creating a Duplicate Layer.................................................................................... 17-5
Enhancing the Eyes.................................................................................................. 17-6
Selecting the White Eye Area....................................................................17-6
Enhancing the White Area..........................................................................17-7
Enhancing the White in the Right Eye...................................................17-8
Merging the Layers.......................................................................................17-9
Setting the Eye Colour to Blue............................................................... 17-10
Highlighting the Pupils............................................................................ 17-12
Setting the Eyes Behind the Eye Sockets........................................... 17-13
Looking at the Original Face...............................................................................17-15

Chapter 18: Using Rulers and Grids

Setting the Ruler and Grid Units......................................................................... 18-2
Turning on the Rulers and Grid........................................................................... 18-3
Creating the Front of the Box............................................................................... 18-3
Setting a Green Rectangle.........................................................................18-3
Adding Highlights to the Front................................................................18-6
Copying the Highlight.................................................................................18-7
Creating the Side of the Box................................................................................. 18-8
Adding an Image to the Front............................................................................. 18-9
Adding the Text.......................................................................................................18-10
Inserting the Front Text............................................................................ 18-10
Creating the Side Text............................................................................... 18-12
Merging the Layers................................................................................................18-13
Creating the Three Dimensional Effect...........................................................18-15
Adjusting the Front Rectangle............................................................... 18-15
Adjusting the Side Rectangle................................................................. 18-15
Checking the Box....................................................................................................18-17
Chapter 19: Creating Graffiti

Creating the Brick Wall............................................................................................ 19-2
Setting the Gradient Colours....................................................................19-2
Adding the Brick Texture............................................................................19-4
Selecting the Lighting.................................................................................19-4
Adding the Graffiti................................................................................................... 19-5
Entering the Text............................................................................................19-5
Liquifying the Text.........................................................................................19-7
Adding Some Effects to the Text..............................................................19-8

Contents
Chapter 20: Photo Adjustments

Lens Correction......................................................................................................... 20-1
Applying the Correct Camera Distortion Filter...................................20-2
Adjusting the Vertical Perspective..........................................................20-3
Interesting Lens Correction Effects.........................................................20-5
The Auto Smart Fix Tool......................................................................................... 20-7
Applying the Auto Smart Fix Tool............................................................20-8
The Unsharp Mask Tool.......................................................................................... 20-9
Applying the Unsharp Mask Tool.......................................................... 20-10
Levels Layers.............................................................................................................20-10
Loading the Sample Photo..................................................................... 20-10
Inserting the Levels Layer........................................................................ 20-11
Selecting the Colours in the Image...................................................... 20-11
Accurately Selecting Colours................................................................. 20-13
Guided Mode...........................................................................................................20-14
Chapter 21: Displacing Images

Loading the Images................................................................................................. 21-1
The Flag Image...............................................................................................21-1
The Curved Image.........................................................................................21-2
Removing Colour From the Curved Image..................................................... 21-3
Displacing the Flag Image..................................................................................... 21-3
Improving the Displacement............................................................................... 21-5
Displaying the Flag Image..................................................................................... 21-6
Adjusting the Flag Colour...................................................................................... 21-7
Cropping the Image................................................................................................ 21-7
Photoshop Assignment 21............................................................... 21-9

Chapter 22: Creative Text Effects

Entering the Text....................................................................................................... 22-2
Adding a Three Dimensional Effect................................................................... 22-3
Applying the Wow Plastic Style................................................................22-3
Adjusting the Drop Shadow......................................................................22-3
Adjusting the Glows.....................................................................................22-4
Adjusting the Bevel.......................................................................................22-5
Creating a Reflection............................................................................................... 22-5
Copying the Text Layer................................................................................22-5
Transforming the Reflection......................................................................22-7
Adjusting the Reflection.............................................................................22-9
Adding Some Lighting Effects...........................................................................22-10
Chapter 23: Useful Tools

The Magic Extractor Tool....................................................................................... 23-1
Applying the Magic Extractor Tool..........................................................23-1
Refining the Selection.................................................................................23-4
The Magnetic Lasso Tool........................................................................................ 23-5
Selecting the Cat............................................................................................23-6
Adjusting the Selection...............................................................................23-8
Refining Edges............................................................................................. 23-10
Removing the Background..................................................................... 23-10
The Colour Replacement Tool............................................................................23-12
The Straighten Tool................................................................................................23-13
Photoshop Project 2
Investigation..............................................................................................................P2-1
Planning.......................................................................................................................P2-1
Solution........................................................................................................................P2-1
Evaluation....................................................................................................................P2-1
Data...............................................................................................................................P2-2

Chapter
1
Introduction to Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop Elements is an advanced photo editing and graphics program that
allows you to create or edit photo quality images. In this Chapter you will be introduced
to its screen and some of its basic features, such as Layers. Layers are a vital part of using
Photoshop and you need to develop an understanding of how to use them in order to
use Photoshop effectively.
Starting Photoshop Elements

1 Load Photoshop Elements 7.
2 If you receive the WELCOME screen

click on EDIT at the top to open the
EDITOR screen.
NOTE: Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 allows you to organise, edit,

create and share images. These tutorials will focus on the EDIT
section.
3 Display the FILE menu, highlight NEW and select BLANK FILE. You will be asked to
enter the required settings for the document.
4 Enter the NAME: Intro

Set the WIDTH to 800 pixels,
the HEIGHT to 600 pixels, the
BACKGROUND CONTENTS to WHITE,
leave the other default settings for
now and select OK.
© Guided Computer Tutorials 2009 1-1

5 A blank page should be created.

6 Click on the FULL button to open
the FULL EDITOR screen if it is not
already displayed.
7 The following diagram labels the sections of the FULL EDITOR screen.
Options Bar Screen Tabs
Tools Document Window Palette

Palette or Canvas Area Bin
Project Bin
NOTE: i The Project Bin displays thumbnails of the files that you
have open.
ii The Screen Tabs allow you to change the screen views
between EDIT, CREATE and SHARE modes. Each of these
modes have sub-tabs associated with them.
iii The Palette Bin displays palettes of tools and options. These
palettes can be opened from the WINDOW menu.

1-2 © Guided Computer Tutorials 2009
Introduction to Photoshop Elements 1
The Tools Palette

The TOOLS palette or TOOLBOX at the left of the screen provides general drawing and
photo adjustment tools. If you are using a large screen, the tools are displayed as a
single column. If you are using a small screen, the tools are in two columns.
1 In these tutorials the TOOLS palette will used as 2 columns.
2 Tools that have a small arrow next to them have more tools within them.
3 Click and hold on the LASSO tool

the three lasso tool types will be
displayed.
4 Click and hold on some of the other tools to see what extra tools they contain.
5 The letter displayed next to a tool when you click and hold on it is the keyboard
shortcut to select the tool. Try pressing some letters and the tool corresponding to
that letter should be selected.
6 Hold down the SHIFT key and press a letter. The tools within that tool group will be
toggled.
Using the Tools

We will have a quick look at some of Photoshop’s basic drawing tools. You may need to
click and hold on a tool to select it, depending on who has used to program before you.
1 Select the BRUSH TOOL from the

TOOLS palette.

2 Draw some brush strokes on the

canvas.
3 Select the CUSTOM SHAPES tool in

the TOOLS palette and drag a shape
on the canvas.
NOTE: Your shape will probably be different to the one displayed.

The SHAPE box in the OPTIONS BAR at the top of the screen
can be used to select different shapes.
4 Click and hold on the CUSTOM

SHAPES TOOL, select the ROUNDED
RECTANGLE TOOL and drag a shape
on the canvas.

5 Select the PENCIL TOOL from the

BRUSH TOOL in the TOOLS palette
and click on the canvas.
6 Sometimes the program will ask you

to simplify a shape layer when a tool
is to be used. Click on OK when this
happens.
7 Drag some pencil lines on the canvas.
8 You can select a different BRUSH from

the OPTIONS BAR. Click on the BRUSH
box and select a medium sized brush.

9 Draw some more pencil lines on the

canvas - they should be a different
thickness.
10 Click on the FOREGROUND

COLOUR box at the base of the
TOOLS palette, select a colour
followed by a shade and click on
OK.
NOTE: You use the vertical slider at the centre of the SELECT
FOREGROUND COLOUR dialogue box to select the colour then
select a shade for the selected colour

11 Draw some different coloured lines

on the canvas.
12 Display the FILE menu and select CLOSE to close the document. There is no need to
save it.
Layers
Layers are the building blocks of a Photoshop document so it is important that you
develop an understanding of them. Think of layers as transparent or filled sheets that can
be placed on top of one another. They allow you break a drawing up into small blocks
that can be worked on individually. To illustrate the use of LAYERS, a document with a
few layers will be opened from the PSE7 SUPPORT FILES.
A Loading a Sample File

A simple poster for a travel agency has been prepared for you. It has a layer containing a
photograph and another two layers containing text.
1 Display the FILE menu and select OPEN.
2 Access the PSE7 SUPPORT FILES,

open the CHAPTER 1 folder and
open the POSTER file.

B Looking at the Layers
1 The LAYERS palette should be open

at the bottom of the PALETTE BIN
and the three layers displayed.
NOTE: i If the LAYER palette is not in the PALETTE BIN, display the
WINDOW menu and select RESET PALETTE LOCATIONS to
display the standard Photoshop Elements screen.
ii You can press CTRL+0 to set the image to fill the screen area.
2 Select the MOVE TOOL from the

TOOLS palette (the top left tool).
3 Select the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS

layer in the LAYERS palette and try
moving the text at the top left of the
poster.

4 Click on the LONDON, PARIS,

ROME.... text and its layer is selected
in the LAYERS palette. Try moving
the text.
C Layer Visibility
Layers can be turned off at any time and when this happens their contents are not seen
in the document.
1 Click on the EYE symbol next to the

LONDON, PARIS. ROME... layer and its
contents will not be visible.

2 Click on the VISIBILITY frame of the

LONDON, PARIS... layer again to turn
the layer back on.
NOTE: When a layer is visible there is an eye marker in its VISIBILITY

frame.
D Locking Layers
Layers can be locked so that you don’t accidentally make changes to them.
Two buttons at the top of the LAYERS

palette allow you to lock layers:
LOCK TRANSPARENT PIXELS locks only
the transparent background.
LOCK ALL locks everything in the layer.

1 Let’s lock the BACKGROUND layer so that it cannot be adjusted.
2 Click on the BACKGROUND layer

then click on the LOCK ALL icon.
3 A LOCK symbol is added to the layer

to indicate that it is locked.
4 Select the MOVE TOOL from the TOOLS palette and try to move the background.
You should not be able to do so.
E Naming Layers
It is good practice to name layers so that you know what their contents are. Let’s rename
the BACKGROUND layer.
1 Double click on the BACKGROUND

label in the LAYERS palette to
highlight it.

2 Enter the label:

Image
then press <enter> and the layer will
be renamed.
F Deleting Layers
Layers can be deleted when they are no longer needed. Let’s delete one of the text
layers.
1 Click on the EUROPEAN

DESTINATIONS layer in the LAYERS
palette.
2 Click on the DELETE LAYER icon

at the top of the LAYERS palette
followed by YES to the information
dialogue box.

3 The layer is removed from the

LAYERS palette and its contents are
removed from the document.
4 Display the EDIT menu and select UNDO DELETE LAYER to return the layer and its
contents to the document. There is also an UNDO button at the top right of the
screen that can be used.
G Adding a New Layer

Layers can be added as required using the CREATE A NEW LAYER icon. When new layers
are added they are inserted above the selected layer in the LAYERS palette.
1 Select the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS

layer in the LAYERS palette and click
on the CREATE A NEW LAYER icon at
the top of the palette.

2 The new layer is added above the

EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS layer.
3 Double click on the LAYER 1 label,

enter the name:
Highlight
and press <enter>.
4 Select the BRUSH TOOL from the

TOOLS palette and paint a line under
the EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS text.
5 The contents are stored in the

HIGHLIGHT layer.

H The Layer Order
The order of the layers in the LAYERS palette is very important. The image is at the back
of the drawing so it is the last (or bottom layer). If the image was at the top of the LAYERS
palette you would not be able to see any of the other objects. You can easily alter the
order of layers. It is called changing the LAYER STACKING ORDER.
1 Click on the IMAGE layer then drag

it to the top of the LONDON, PARIS,
ROME.... layer.
2 When you release the mouse button

the contents of the other layers
cannot be seen as the IMAGE layer is
on top of them.

I Layer Opacity
The OPACITY of a layer is how transparent it is. The default layer OPACITY is 100% (no
transparency) so the contents of the other layers cannot be seen through it. When you
reduce the OPACITY of a layer you start to see the contents of other layers through it. Let’s
reduce the OPACITY of the IMAGE layer so that the other layer’s contents can be seen.
1 Unlock the IMAGE layer by clicking

on the LOCK ALL icon at the top of
the LAYERS palette.
2 Click on the arrow next to the

OPACITY box and drag the slider to
about 80%.
3 Part of the contents of the other

layers are now visible.

4 Drag the IMAGE layer to the bottom

of the layers in the LAYERS palette.
The content of the other layers can
now be fully seen, but the IMAGE
layer is still at 80% opacity.
NOTE: You will use many more layer features as you progress through
these tutorials. For example, you can duplicate layers, add
masks to layers, insert different types of layers and so on.
Screen Views
You can zoom in or out of a document when more detailed work is required.
1 Display the VIEW menu and select ZOOM IN.
2 The screen in magnified.

3 There are keyboard shortcuts to zoom in and out. Hold down the CTRL key and
press + to zoom in and - to zoom out.
4 Press CTRL+ twice to zoom in two

more levels.
5 Press CTRL- three times to zoom

back out.

6 Press CTRL+0 to set the view to FIT

ON SCREEN.
NOTE: FIT ON SCREEN sets the zoom to a level so that the canvas fills
the available screen area.
The Zoom Tool

The ZOOM TOOL allows you to select a section of the image to zoom in on.
1 Select the ZOOM TOOL from the

TOOLS palette and drag a frame
around Big Bens clocks.

2 When you release the mouse button

the screen is zoomed in on the
selected area.
The Hand Tool

The HAND TOOL allows you to scroll around a zoomed screen.
Select the HAND TOOL from the

TOOLS palette and drag the screen to
bring different parts of the document
into view.

The Navigator Palette
The NAVIGATOR palette can be opened and docked into the PALETTE BIN. It can be
used to navigate around a zoomed document. You can even control the zoom from this
palette.
1 The screen should be zoomed. If it isn’t, press CTRL+ a few times to zoom the view.
2 Display the WINDOW menu and select NAVIGATOR.

3 The NAVIGATOR palette is added to

the screen.
4 Drag the NAVIGATOR tab above the

EFFECTS tab in the PALETTE BIN to
dock the NAVIGATOR palette.

5 Drag the red frame in the

NAVIGATOR palette to scroll around
the image.
6 You can also adjust the screen magnification from the NAVIGATOR palette.
7 Drag the ZOOM SLIDER at the top of

the NAVIGATOR palette to adjust the
zoom of the document.
8 Display the WINDOW menu and select RESET PALETTE LOCATIONS to return to the
default Photoshop Elements screen.
9 Close the POSTER document. There is no need to save it.

Photoshop Assignment 1
Your task for this Assignment is to create a simple sketch using some of the drawing tools
from the TOOLS palette. If you cannot think of anything to draw, the following sketch of
a racing car could be attempted.
Ask your teacher to check your sketch.

Learning Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 - Introduction

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Learning Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 - Introduction

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Guided Computer Tutorials

GUIDED COMPUTER TUTORIALS

This product is available in Single or Multi User versions.

Single-user versions are for single student or teacher use at any

Multi-user versions allow the school or institution to print as many

First published 2009

ISBN: Module 1: 1 921217 72 3

PDF document on CD-ROM

Chapter 1: Introduction to Photoshop

Chapter 2: Selecting Parts of Images

© Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009 C-1

The Quick Selection Tool...........................................................................................2-9

Chapter 3: Modifying Images

C-2 © Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009

Chapter 4: The Drawing Tools

Chapter 5: Combining Shapes

© Guided Computer Tutorials 2009 C-3

Chapter 6: Adding Text to Designs

Chapter 7: Adjusting the Look of Images

C-4 © Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009

Chapter 8: Combining Photographs

Chapter 9: Creating Masks

© Guided Computer Tutorials 2009 C-5

Chapter 10: Smart Brushes

Chapter 11: Saving Files

C-6 © Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009

Chapter 12: Repairing Parts of Images

Chapter 13: Applying Filters

© Guided Computer Tutorials 2009 C-7

Chapter 14: Creating Balls and Spheres

Chapter 15: Artistic Filters

C-8 © Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009

Chapter 16: Adjustment Layers

Chapter 17: Enhancing Photos of Faces

© Guided Computer Tutorials 2009 C-9

Chapter 18: Using Rulers and Grids

Chapter 19: Creating Graffiti

C-10 © Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009

Chapter 20: Photo Adjustments

Chapter 21: Displacing Images

© Guided Computer Tutorials 2009 C-11

Chapter 22: Creative Text Effects

Chapter 23: Useful Tools

C-12 © Guided Computer Tutorials, 2009

Starting Photoshop Elements

2 If you receive the WELCOME screen

NOTE: Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 allows you to organise, edit,

4 Enter the NAME: Intro

© Guided Computer Tutorials 2009 1-1

5 A blank page should be created.

Options Bar Screen Tabs

Tools Document Window Palette

The Tools Palette

3 Click and hold on the LASSO tool

Using the Tools

1 Select the BRUSH TOOL from the

© Guided Computer Tutorials 2009 1-3

2 Draw some brush strokes on the

3 Select the CUSTOM SHAPES tool in

NOTE: Your shape will probably be different to the one displayed.

4 Click and hold on the CUSTOM

5 Select the PENCIL TOOL from the

6 Sometimes the program will ask you

7 Drag some pencil lines on the canvas.