How to work in "Photoshop CS6": for beginners. Plugins for "Photoshop CS6"

Adobe is known to all users who have at least a remote understanding of the work with images and photos. This is due to the fact that this firm is the creator of the legendary program Photoshop. To date, this application is the actual standard in the world of professional designers and artists.

The possibilities of the person who works in it are limited only by his own skill. However, not all users are real luminaries: how to work in Photoshop CS6? For beginners, there are special video tutorials, but not everyone has time to watch them. Well, let's try to cover this question a little.

Immediately warn that this article is simply unrealistic to squeeze even a couple of percent of the amount of information that would be appropriate in this case. Therefore, we will limit ourselves to the most superficial introduction to the topic and will reveal the basic concepts that will be useful to you when mastering the "Photoshop CS6" program.

Layers

A layer is the basic constant with which you have to deal. By the way, what is it? Under the layer in this case is understood a separate image, which has its own boundaries, clearly delineated from other parts of the picture.

What are these layers for? This is a very important issue. The fact is that it is thanks to them that you can conduct operations on almost every part of the image, without affecting the entire picture as a whole. In fact, the image in Photoshop can be represented as a giant mosaic, for each puzzle in which the options of transparency, colors, and other parameters are separately set.

Since working in Photoshop CS6 (for beginners the program may seem very complicated, but in fact everything is not so terrible) without the mentioned tool it is impossible, we recommend to learn the basics and consolidate the received knowledge in practice. Make the first steps in this matter is very simple. To do this, open any image, go to the Layer tab, select Create New Layer.

Change something in the image. Then go to the above path again, creating a second layer. Also draw something on it. Then go back to the same tab, select the "Merge Layers" command. Approximately, and all the main work in the program is performed.

As for the interface, the "Photoshop CS6" in Russian appeared not so long ago. If you are looking for tips on working on the Internet, then there are often suggested instructions in English. Keep this in mind!

Hotkeys, or Hotkeys

With the constant use of Photoshop, it is very important to remember the most frequently used hotkey combinations. It is almost impossible to keep all of them in mind all the time, but the most commonly used combinations must be known. The matter is that combinations practically do not change in different versions of the program, so it takes much less time to develop a new release.

So, let's look at the simplest options. Pressing CTRL + N opens a new document. It is much easier to press "hotkey" than to use the main menu with the mouse. In addition, it will be useful to use the CTRL + O combination, since it allows you to open a dialog box with a selection of files to open. Useful keys CTRL + K, which open the dialog box for the main settings of the program. Surely many users know that the combination of CTRL + Z cancels the last action. This also works in Photoshop.

Keys for layers

But in this program it is much more important to work with layers, so you should remember at least some hotkeys associated with this term. So, to create a new level, press SHIFT + CTRL + N. After that, immediately a dialog box opens with the settings of the newly created layer. The F7 button is also important, since it opens the palette setting. To quickly jump to the layer, press ALT +]. To move to the bottom, use SHIFT + ALT +].

If you want to go to the lowest level, you must use the combination SHIFT + ALT + [. If you want to set the current layer as the main layer, press SHIFT + CTRL +]. The merging of layers (which we talked about at the beginning) is done with the CTRL + E buttons. As you can see, hot keys are extremely important, because they save a lot of time.

Using hotkeys when working with filters

Working with filters is complicated and time-consuming. That's why it's also important to use hot keys in this process. Moreover, that the basic combinations are not so many. So, if you want to repeat the last used filter with its default settings, press CTRL + F. If you need the same filter, but with the settings open, use the CTRL + ALT + F keys.

Do not know how to reset all dialog box settings? Just press ALT together with the ESC key. The value of this combination is that it works in exactly the same way in all dialogs with settings.

Choose brushes!

None of the masters or novice users of "Photoshop" can not fully work without the most common tool "Brush". Today we will try to choose it for work, having learned about the ways of adjusting the parameters. Using one or another option, you can create an ideal shape for your work, dynamically change the size, select the dispersion, texture, as well as the degree of depression and transparency.

First, you need to activate the Brushes tool for Photoshop CS6 by pressing the B key. Click on the desired icon, where you can adjust all the parameters. It is necessary to press the F5 key on the keyboard or use the "Window" menu, where you can go to the "Brushes" item. I must say that there are enough settings in the menu, the main ones of which we will consider.

Before selecting a suitable tool, you must select the shape of its print. Here everything depends on the type of work you do. The same can be said about the diameter. There are lots of options! However, when learning it is recommended to choose simple brush shapes and the average diameter of its print. It should be noted that you can quickly change the last parameter using the keys "[" (reduce the diameter), or "]" (increase it).

Using the slider under the name "Hardness" you can adjust the center of rigidity of the instrument. If to speak easier, at the selected indicator "0" you will get a soft brush. The tab "Opacity", as you might guess from the name, helps to set the parameter, often used for retouching photos.

What else should you pay attention to before working in Photoshop CS6? For beginners, it would not be superfluous to look at the work of experienced artists and photographers: you can clearly see how and under what conditions it is best to use the basic techniques, the same retouching or aging of the photograph.

Often when choosing a brush an important role is played by its color. On the toolbar (at the very bottom) there is a button that allows you to adjust this parameter. It should be noted that when choosing the active one, the color in which the upper square is colored is considered.

Other principles of choosing a brush

However, only these parameters the choice of a brush for "Photoshop CS6" is not limited. For example, often it is necessary to change the angle, which is achieved by adjusting the settings in the dialog box of the same name (if you have not forgotten, it is called by pressing F5). Here you can increase the size of the instrument, as well as change its slope.

It should be noted that when choosing a brush of unusual shape (butterfly, asterisk, leaflets), it is necessary to set a sufficient interval, otherwise the image may turn into a graphic "mess". Experimenting with different parameters, you will eventually learn how to set the optimum for each type of work, using hundreds of parameters available in the program.

Naturally, like this, one at a time, you will not be able to master Photoshop. The program in Russian is the best option for beginners, because you can always read the help by clicking on F1.

Plugins

Plugins (also called external modules) are additional filters that connect to Photoshop. However, so you can name and some additional software modules that extend the functionality of the application. In fact, the plug-ins for "Photoshop CS6" are small additional programs that work inside the main software package.

In Photoshop, they are most often used for an extended simulation of drawing methods; They are often used to reduce noise and improve sharpness; With their help you can automatically set the focus on some object located in the photo.

Plug-ins are most often developed only for a certain version of Photoshop, which often provides a lot of difficulties in the transition to a new release. However, they are very good in that each user will be able to create a unique set of tools suitable for his purposes. In general, it is "Photoshop CS6" for beginners is the most suitable option, as it is more obvious, and by default contains more tools.

Thus, it is better to stop on the option of "extended filters". They are also able to change the processed image, can distort it or remove noise and correctly adjust the sharpness.

To install the plugin, you need to download its file from the Internet, and then move it to the "Photoshop / Plug-Ins" directory. However, some "serious" applications often have their own installation file. In this case, their installation is simplified to the extreme: you just need to start the process and follow the instructions. When the installation is completed, new filters will be displayed in the program (you may need to restart it).

So, we looked at how to work in Photoshop CS6. For beginners, the information presented is still sufficient, it is necessary to consolidate knowledge in practice, and then to comprehend all the subtleties of the process.

Some plug-ins for Photoshop

Let's take a closer look at the purpose of some "assistants" for Adobe Photoshop. For example, the very popular ICOFormat add-on is specifically designed to save particularly small images up to 200x200 px with the standard .ico extension.

Genuine Fractals Pro can increase the image, and this process goes without loss of quality. For the same purpose, the Blow Up and AKVIS Magnifier add-ons can be used.

AKVIS Chameleon plug-in is ideal for creating collages. It allows you to automatically adjust the inserted fragments to the color of the main image. In addition, it somewhat blurs the sharp edges, making the collages more "alive".

In conclusion…

It should be noted that plug-ins can be distributed not only separately, but also in the form of large thematic packages. Most of the processing of images with their help can be significantly accelerated. However, you need to remember that success in using plug-ins will only accompany those who understand the principle of their action and will be able to do all these operations manually!

Here are such short lessons of "Photoshop CS6". Learn the program in practice, by trial and error - this is the best option.