{"id":26419,"date":"2016-05-04T21:01:11","date_gmt":"2016-05-04T13:01:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/?p=26419"},"modified":"2020-06-26T21:00:41","modified_gmt":"2020-06-26T13:00:41","slug":"clever-photoshop-tricks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/clever-photoshop-tricks\/","title":{"rendered":"45 Clever Photoshop Tricks You Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Without question, Photoshop is one of the most preferred and most favorite image editing software for graphic designers, digital painters and photographers alike. With each revision, Adobe adds more power to the program.<\/p>\n

In this article we will be looking at 45 tips and tricks you can use in Photoshop; the sort of tricks<\/a> you wish you had known sooner. Some of these tricks are powerful but little know<\/strong> since Photoshop is full of so many features<\/a>, all seeking recognition in the hands of great designers. Note that some the tricks are dependent on the Photoshop version; they have been specifically mentioned to prevent confusion.<\/p>\n

Read more: <\/strong>20 Free Photoshop Actions designers should have<\/a><\/p>\n

1. How to Make Merged Vector Shapes Editable<\/h2>\n

In Photoshop CS6, we can merge two or more vector shape layers together and keep the result as an editable vector. From the layers panel, select both vector layers<\/strong> and hit Cmd\/Ctrl + E<\/strong> to merge them quickly.<\/p>\n

Early Photoshop versions would result in a rasterized layer, but Adobe updated this functionality for CS6.<\/p>\n

\"Make<\/figure>\n

2. How to Resize\/Rename\/Convert a Bunch of Photos<\/h2>\n

You probably didn\u2019t notice that Photoshop CS2 (and newer versions) have a great tool to convert and process multiple files<\/strong>. Unlike the Batch command, the Image Processor lets you process files without first creating an action.<\/p>\n

As a demo, say you want to generate a bunch of low resolution images from your local hard drive to share on social media later.<\/p>\n

Go to File > Scripts > Image Processor<\/strong>. Choose the folder with the images you want to resize, specify the output dimensions<\/strong> and click on Run<\/strong>. Photoshop will process your images quickly and save them as a JPEG, PSD, or TIFF.<\/p>\n

You also have the option to control the compression<\/strong> or compatibility<\/strong> settings.<\/p>\n

\"Resize<\/figure>\n

3. How to Finish Text Editing Quickly<\/h2>\n

When working with text in Photoshop, all the shortcut keys won\u2019t work. To quickly finish editing text, simply press Cmd\/Ctrl + Return<\/strong>. This will move focus outside the text field, allowing us to quickly select other tools using the usual shortcut keys.<\/p>\n

\"Exit<\/figure>\n

4. How to Cross Two images For A Color Effect<\/h2>\n

Want to create your own \"instagram-like\" filter? You can do it by combining photos inside Photoshop.<\/p>\n

Open a photo with an interesting color palette, then open up your photo you wish to edit. Go to Image > Adjustments > Match Color<\/strong> menu. Select the photo with the interesting color palette as the source, then play around with Luminance<\/strong> and Color Intensity<\/strong> until you are satisfied with the result. Hit OK<\/strong> and we\u2019re done.<\/p>\n

\"Cross<\/figure>\n

5. How to Remove Unwanted Objects Automatically<\/h2>\n

Want to remove people and other distracting objects from one of your photos? You can in mere seconds but only you have done this beforehand. With your camera on a tripod, take 15 shots of the same view, spaced 10 seconds from each other.<\/p>\n

Inside Photoshop, go to File > Scripts > Statistics<\/strong>. Choose \"Median<\/strong>\" and then select all the image files you have taken. Photoshop will look at what is different in the photos and remove it.<\/p>\n

\"Remove<\/figure>\n

6. How to Draw Straight Dotted Lines Quickly<\/h2>\n

Using the Brush tool, click to mark the first starting point then hold down SHIFT to create a stright lines. If you need dotted lines, change the brush spacing value to be bigger than 100% in the Brush panel.<\/p>\n

\"Draw<\/figure>\n

7. How to Quickly Select and Activate a Layer<\/h2>\n

Hold CTRL while using the Move tool or check the auto-select option. This way, you can select a layer just by clicking it in the canvas.<\/p>\n

\"Select<\/figure>\n

8. How to Fill Layer with Fore\/Background Color (Hotkeys)<\/h2>\n

Press Ctrl + Del to fill layer with background color. Press Alt + Del to fill layer with foreground color.<\/p>\n

\"Fill<\/figure>\n

9. How to Backup and Restore your Work on the Fly<\/h2>\n

If you need to do a lot of manipulation on a particular image but you\u2019re not sure what the final result will look like, you can use this trick. The History palette has limits when it comes to how far back it can go. In its place, use the History Snapshot tool.<\/p>\n

From the History panel, click ont he Camera icon everytime you feel like it\u2019s time to \"save\" your progress. This creates a history snapshot that you can return to at any point. You can even name it by double-clicking on it.<\/p>\n

It will all disappear if the document is closed. Oh, and remember that these Snapshots can also be used as the source for the history art brush!<\/p>\n

\"Backup-restore-work-history\"<\/figure>\n

10. How to Expand Canvas with the Crop Tool<\/h2>\n

Until now, you\u2019re probably using the Crop tool only to crop image. It can also be used to expand a canvas: just pull the crop handles outside of the frame and press Enter to apply the changes.<\/p>\n

\"Expand<\/figure>\n

11. How to Copy and Apply Layer Style Fast<\/h2>\n

Need a layer style applied to another layer? Just hold the Alt key and drag on the \"fx<\/strong>\" which indicates the layer styles. The same technique also works if you just want to copy specific layer styles. If you want to apply a layer style onto multiple layers, right click then select Copy Layer Style<\/strong>. Select the multiple layers, then right click again and select Paste Layer Style<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Copy<\/figure>\n
\"Copy<\/figure>\n

12. How to Toggle Between Open Documents<\/h2>\n

If you work with more than one document at the same time, pressing Ctrl + Tab to toggle through them quickly.<\/p>\n

13. How to Select Consecutive or Non-Consecutive Layers<\/h2>\n

It is possible to select multiple layers in Photoshop CS2 and above. Select a layer and then click another one whilst holding down the Shift Key, this selects all the layers between the two clicked layers.<\/p>\n

To select non-consecutive layers, say Layer 1 and Layer 3 and maybe just Layer 6, then just hold down the Ctrl key and click on the layer which you want to select in the Layer Palette. This way, only the alternative layers (i.e only the layers that you want) will be selected.<\/p>\n

\"Toggle<\/figure>\n

14. How to Show One Layer & Make Others Invisible<\/h2>\n

When working with tons of layers in a document, sometimes we need to inspect each layer to make sure the content is correct. In case you need to hide all the other layers, hold down the Alt Key and click on the eye icon on the layer palette. This will set all the other layers invisible.<\/p>\n

Repeating Alt + click on the eye icon<\/strong> again will return you to the previous layer\u2019s visibility state. Note that if you accidentally click on another layer\u2019s eye icon you\u2019ll lose the ability to revert to the previous state.<\/p>\n

\"Show<\/figure>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tRemoving Recent Files in Photoshop Home Screen<\/span><\/a>\n
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