Last day and so much more that I'd love to cover! So I figure I'd share nine completely random tips and tricks for Photoshop. What a bargain!
1. Eyedropper Tool
Both digital scrapbookers and paper scrappers can use this tip. Select the Eyedropper Tool from the Tools palette. Click on any color in a photo or a digital element or paper. Papr scrappers you can call up an image of a sheet of paper or an element - just use the picture from an online store! Now you have a perfect match. I find this a great way to color text for journaling or title work. See how nicely the title matches the papers!
2. Creating a Sticker-like Alphabet
On this page, you can see I used a font to create the title then added a white outline to it to make it look like a sticker. It's a super easy process and combined with the eye dropper tool above, it can perfectly match your papers and elements! Here I used the eye dropper tool to get the perfect green and I stroked the title text twice.
3. Rounded Corners
Paper scrappers use a corner rounder to create rounded corners. Digital scrapbookers have to use other tools. I use Jessica Sprague’s Rounded Corner Brush. I know other folks like to use the shape tool. Check out the Daily Digi for a few tutorials on how to create this look on your pages. Here’s a page that I did using Jessica’s corner rounder brush.
4. Brushes
Why reinvent the wheel? I wrote an article this summer for Ella Publishing all about brushes. Head on over and check it out. There are even some free brushes to download! Here's a hybrid page I did using a brush that looks like a paint splatter. Brushes also look awesome on photos.
5. Align Bottom Edges
This is really simple, but I'm always amazed that seasoned scrappers don't know about this. Select the Move tool from the Toolbar (or press v on your keyboard.) In the layers palette, select the layers you would like to line up.
In Photoshop Elements, on the top toolbar, you'll see a drop down called align. You can align the bottom or top edges of the elements easily!
In Photoshop, you'll see icons along the top tool bar.
Easy peasy - but really saves time!
6. Another Way to Align Elements
You can turn on the grid function by selecting View > Show > Grid in Photoshop CS and View > Grid in Elements. Your screen will look like this…
Now you can use your move tool to align the layers up against the grid lines. Very helpful when you are trying to find the center of the page too!
7. Copying Layer Styles
So we talked about Layer Styles and shadows the other day. You can easily copy a layer style to another layer. Simply right click on the Layer and select Copy Layer Style. Select another layer (you can even select multiple layers) and right click and select Paste Layer Style.
8. Another Title Trick
After you have your text title the size you want. You can easily clip paper to the title to give your title a more textured or even patterned look. Highlight the layer in the Layers palette, drag a piece of paper onto your page so it covers the alpha. Then select the paper layer and right click and select Create Clipping Mask. Highlight both layers and merge layers. I clipped an orange solid paper that had some texture to the title on this page.
9. Keyboard Shortcuts
Nothing saves more time than learning a few keyboard shortcuts. Visit Adobe’s site for Elements or CS to learn more. A couple of my favorite shortcuts…
- v – by typing this letter, you’ll select the move tool.
- Select a layer in the Layers palette. CTRL [ will move a layer down and CTRL ] will move a layer up. If you hit CTRL Shift [, you’ll move the layer to the bottom and CTRL Shift ] will move the layer to the very top.
- To zoom in press CTRL + (plus) or to zoom out press CTRL - (minus)
- CTRL D will deselect an item and get rid of the marching ants!
Now the drawing for Julie Billingsley's kit - the winner is number 10....
Jen email me at celestefsmith AT gmail DOT com and I'll send you a code to pick up Julie Billingsley's fabulous kit! Thanks again to sweet Julie for donating the kit.
I have had such a fun week with all of you! I hate to see it end. I hope that you picked up a new technique or tip to try. Until next time!
