- The "Tools" window is one of the most essential parts of the Photoshop program. It provides everything that a user needs in order to edit, create, and manipulate photos. By default, the toolbar appears on the left side of the screen, but you can maneuver to whatever part of the screen feels comfortable. The toolbar features selecting tools, brush tools, color selection tools, typing tools, and other tools to create your project. Place your mouse over a tool in order to see its name.
- The lasso and pen tools are great for selecting parts of a picture. The "standard lasso" tool uses a freehand selection of a photo. The "polygonal lasso" tool can create straight-edged selections of a picture. The "magnetic lasso" tool recognizes similar sections of pictures and makes selections right against the edge. The "pen" tool is the most detailed selection tool and it allows users to highlight specific and detailed parts of a photo.
- The "Clone Stamp" is a useful tool for copying different portions of pictures onto other sections. For example, you could remove a cut or bruise from someone's skin, replicate clouds in the sky, or create an original pattern. Hold down the "alt" key and click on the section of the photo that you want to clone. Let go of the "alt" key and click in the section of the photo that you want to clone. Move the mouse around to create a recreation of the copied spot. Use different-sized brushes in order to edit different sizes.
- Layers help make Photoshop an advanced program with multiple functions and room to make mistakes. The layer function allows users to edit specific parts of a photo and manipulate them without affecting other sections of the photo. Click on the "Layers" submenu and choose "New Layer" in order to create a new layer for your project. Anytime you cut and paste objects within the project, a new layer will be created as well.
- Photo filters can help with adjusting photos or adding a simple effect. The filters are broken down into several categories that include "Artistic", "Render", "Blur", "Distort", and "Stylize". Underneath each category are different effects like "Neon Glow", "Plastic Wrap", and "Lens Flare". Play around with the different filters to see how they affect a picture.
