- You can make a lot of specifications about a Photoshop project while you are opening the new project. To start a new Photoshop project, go to "File" and select "New." A window will come up in which you can enter a width and height for your document, as well as a resolution. The width and height is up to you. As for resolution, 72 ppi (pixels per inch) is the resolution used for web browsers; high-quality printing generally requires a resolution of 300 ppi. You will also be able to select a background color in this window. Background choices are white, transparent or a custom color of your choice. When you have made your selections, click "OK." Your canvas will open on the screen.
- When your new Photoshop project opens, two additional items will open automatically. On the left side of the screen is a vertical toolbar. This toolbar is the "Tools" bar. It features all of the basic tools that are used for drawing in Photoshop. Most anything that you need to do a simple Photoshop project can be found on the "Tools" bar. The "Brush Tool" acts just like a paintbrush, allowing you to draw freehand. The "Paint Bucket Tool" fills any object or background with color in just one click. The "Eraser Tool" can remove any mark that you have added to an image. The bar also has tools for drawing shapes, selecting objects, cropping and adding text.
- The "Layers" palette is the other item that automatically comes up when Photoshop is opened. It comes up on the right side of the screen and is an essential tool in Photoshop CS3. When you have multiple layers in a project, any changes that you make will only take place on the layer that is selected. This makes it possible to change one object in your project without altering other objects. To change between layers, simply click on the layer that you want to make active on the "Layers" palette.
- Besides the basic tools, a variety of features used in Photoshop can alter the look of a photo. Under the "Image" menu, you will find an "Adjustments" section where you can alter the image's coloring, size, brightness and much more. The "Filter" menu on the toolbar includes a variety of effects that can be added to objects in your image to create a truly dynamic project.
