One of the best things about Photoshop is that you never stop learning.

Ive been working with the software for about 12 years, and I always stumble across something I didnt know, whether it be a new feature, or just a new, better way of doing something. There are countless tips and tricks to help boost your productivity and work flow some are obvious and easy to find while some you have to dig a little to seek them out. In this post Im going to reveal 25 of the best advanced techniques to help you design faster and better within Adobe Photoshop.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Layer Manipulation

Note: These shortcuts refer to the Cmd key on a Mac keyboard. For PC users substitute the Ctrl key in its place. Create a new layer As your working in PS adding layers to your canvas is essential. Its possible that you may add dozens of layers in one piece. You can save a number of clicks with the following shortcut. New layer with dialog box: [ Cmd + Shift + N ] New layer without dialog box: [ Cmd + Shift + Alt + N ] Zoom in and out zooming in and out is a necessity when designing a piece with lots of detail, or working on a large print piece. Zoom in: [ Cmd + = ] Zoom out: [ Cmd + - ] Another useful zoom trick is to fit the artwork to your monitor window size Fit to window: [ Cmd + 0 ]

Merge layers Sometimes its a good idea to merge 2 or more layers into one to decrease your document size ore the amount of layers your working with. To merge layers: [ Cmd + E ] Group Layers Select the layers that you would like to group together [ Cmd + click ]. To group those layers: [ Cmd + G ] Create a new layer that contains all visible layers This can be an excellent tool for many reasons. Sometime you may want to experiment with a flattened file without actually flattening your file. To create a new layer containing all visible layers: [ Cmd + Alt + Shift + E ] Did you know? Photoshop is not limited to its own built in shortcuts. You can also build your own shortcuts by pressing [ Ctrl + Alt + Shift + K ] or go to [ Edit | Keyboard Shortcuts ]

Using Actions to Personalize Your Work Flow

One of the most useful productivity tools in Photoshop are Actions. What are actions? you might ask. Well imagine something that you do over and over in PS that involves a series of clicks that are repetitive, meaning you have to do the same thing over and over to achieve the result you are after. Well, why not record those steps into an action and run it from one click, or maybe even a keyboard shortcut? A Further Look Lets have a look at the actions that are built into Photoshop. Load the Actions Palette from [ Window | Actions ]. Then load the Production actions collection from the palettes pull out menu. There is a variety of simple production actions in this collection. It will give you a good idea of how actions can be used to speed your production.

For example, notice the first action in the set. Letter Canvas 150 Creating an 8.511 canvas is something that you probably do often, and here is a handy little action to preform those steps for you to keep from having to do a receptive task over and over. The possibilities of actions are essentially endless.

Creating Your Own Actions Its simple to do so, just click the New Action icon at the bottom of the palette. Once the action is created, the record button will light, also at the bottom of the palette. From there Photoshop will record each function you preform until you press the stop button.

For example: Lets say that you always convert you art to a size of 800500 and add a water mark logo and save as a JPG for the web. This is something that you could easily record to an action and do with the click of a button.

Did you know? You can convert your Actions Palette to display buttons. Select Button Mode from the palettes pull out menu. Now you can run actions by simply clicking the appropriate button.

500+ Files at Once with Batch Processing

Batch Processing is an incredibly powerful tool. Imagine you have a directory of 500 images that all need to be sized down to 100200 pixels and converted to black and white and then saved as a Gif. Well, we just learned that we can create an action to do that for us with the click of a button. Given the size of this task it will still involve opening 500 images and clicking that action 500 times, right? Wrong! We can use Batch Processing to open all of those images one by one, perform the action and then save and close each file. What might take you several hours will only take Photoshop a few minutes to do. So youve got some time to go grab a cup of coffee. Explore the Batch Processing options under [ File | Automate | Batch ]

Did you know? You can use Batch Processing to save a copy of your files to a new directory leaving the original files untouched. Simply select a destination directory from the Batch Processing window.

Using Tool Presets to Save Your Best Brushes

If you spend the time to get your tools set a specific way, why not save those settings as a Tool Preset? For example, youve spent the time to create a scatter brush from your favorite WeGraphics water color brush set. Instead of adjusting those settings each time you want to splatter paint, you can open the Tool Preset palette from [ Window | Tool Presets ] and click the new Tool Preset icon at the bottom of the palette. Once you have a collection of presets you can then save them for use later. Click Save Tool Presets from the palettes pull out menu. You can organize your presets by tool, or by type of project.

Photoshop also comes packed with several collections of tool presets. Just select the brush tool to see the presets for that tool. Load more by clicking the pull down menu from the presets panel.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Handling the Canvas

Multiple Undos Typically in most software packages [ Cmd + Z ] will undo multiple times, but in Photoshop it only undos 1 time and then does a redo if pressed again. For multiple undos: [ Cmd + Alt + Z ] Switch Canvas / Document Windows This is a great tip if you are working from multiple windows within PS. To switch between documents: [ Cmd + Tab ] The Move Tool Heres an easy one to remember. When working on a large canvas or moving artwork that you have zoomed in on, the Move Tool is essential. Toggle the Move Tool by holding down the [ spacebar ] or switch to the Move Tool: [ H ] Show / Hide Rulers and Guides Using the rulers and guides are a necessity when it comes to precise placement of objects in your document, and at times you need to toggle them to view your work without these distractions. Toggle rulers: [ CMD + R ] Toggle guides: [ CMD + ; ] Rotate View If your working on a tablet it can make the feel more natural to rotate the view of your canvas/document to a 45 degree angle. Rotate view: [ R ] Cycle Through Open Documents

[ Ctrl + Tab ]

History Snapshots for Fast Experimentation

If you design like I do then youre probably familiar with experimentation. Lets say you have a project near completion but you want to try a few extra filters or adjustments to see how it would look, but you might not be happy with the results and want to revert back to where the piece is currently. Before starting your experimentation simply click the small camera icon at the bottom of the history palette. This creates a snapshot of the documents current state within the History Palette. You can create as many snapshots as you want to compare the artwork at different states.

Did you know? Snapshots are not saved with the document. They only work within the current work session, so be sure to save your artwork at the desired snapshot before closing.

Creating Seamless Art with Patterns

Creating patterns in PS is an often overlooked feature. You can do some very powerful things utilizing pattern layers. Imagine creating a grunge background pattern that expands to fit any sized document window. It can be done with ease using seamless patterns. Creating and Defining Patterns When creating a pattern its a good idea to keep seamless designs in mind. But not all things in nature are seamless, so you have to use a bit of ingenuity to make it work.

The best way to create a seamless pattern in Photoshop is by using Filter | Other | Offset. Lets say your canvas is 500500 pixels, so your offset would need to be 250 pixels vertical and horizontal.

After clicking OK for the offset you can then remove the seam lines with the Clone Stamp [ S ] or the Healing Brush [ J ].

To define the pattern click Edit | Define Pattern. The pattern will then be accessible from the Pattern Palette when you select the Paint Bucket Tool [ G ] or when you create a new Pattern Layer from the Layers Palette.

One Click Art with Photoshop Brushes

Creating my own brush sets is my favorite way to customize my workflow in Photoshop. You can do some incredible things with the click of a single brush. Brushes can be created from virtually anything. The door is wide open for creativity regarding this aspect of PS. Creating and Defining Brushes There are very little restrictions when creating brushes. The only thing you have to keep in

mind is size. The max size for a brush is 25002500 pixels and the result is black and white. I typically create a grayscale canvas that size and work within that boundary. Try scanning objects and taking photos as source material for brushes.

Once you have a brush laid out, click Edit | Define Brush Preset.

The brush will then be accessible from the brushes palette.

Custom brushes are a very fun tool. I encourage you to experiment and find a style of brush that you would find useful within your artwork.

Adding Flexibility with Custom Vector Shapes

Custom Shapes are an incredible tool, that is somewhat hidden within PS. To view them you need to select and hold the mouse down over the Shape Tool in the Tools Palette. A drop down will appear and the last option is Custom Shapes.

Shapes are loaded similar to patterns. There is a drop down in the top tool bar that show all of the shapes currently loaded.

Photoshop comes with several collections of built in shapes. You can load these from the small arrow at the top of the Custom Shape drop down. Load some of the preset shapes and experiment.

You can also create your own custom shapes from your vector files. Simply paste a vector from illustrator as a Path in Photoshop. Then with the Pen Tool [ P ] selected Ctrl + click on the Illustrator path and select Define Custom Shape from the drop down. Bam! Your shape now appears in the Custom Shape drop down menu in the top tool bar.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Brushes and Tools

Default Colors and Switch Colors Switch back to default black and white, or switch the foreground and background colors. Default colors: [ D ] Switch Colors: [ X ] Brush Tool and Eraser These are two of the most widely used tools for basic illustration. Brush Tool: [ B ] Eraser Tool: [ E ] Brush Size Change the size of your brushes while working. This is an incredibly useful tool that can save a lot of clicks.

Increase brush size: [ ] ] Decrease brush size [ [ ]

Using Clipping Masks to Show/Hide a Portion of a Layer

I think that clipping masks are generally misunderstood, but can be a very powerful tool when it comes to flexibility and non-destructive design. To use Clipping Masks you need two layers the bottom most layer being the clip (or portion that is viewable) and the upper most layer being the mask (or portion that is overlaying the clip). The mask can also be multiple layers.

A good example is a text layer acting as the clip and a texture being set as the mask. The image is layered above the text and then set to a Layer Mask by [ Ctrl + clicking ] on the

upper layer and choosing Create Clipping Mask from the pop menu. To release the mask [ Ctrl + Click ] the mask layer again and choose Release Clipping Mask.

The is a great practice as both layers remain in tact and can be edited separately. Did you know? You can add layer effects to the clip layer for an extra touch of design. Try drop shadows and strokes!

Scaling Art and Keeping Proportions

Scaling the size of artwork is a common task in Photoshop. So common that you probably dont even think about it. There are a couple of methods to keep in mind for keeping your artwork in proper scale, or width to height ratio. I often times see photo within a document that have been scaled improperly and as a result appear stretched either vertically or horizontally. When scaling an image [ Cmd + T ] hold the shift key down so that your image stays to scale. A simple trick that is essential, and makes your work appear more professional.

An alternative method for scaling an object is to use the top tool bar. It appears when you select the scale tool or press [ Cmd + T ].

From here you can scale by entering a percentage value. A shortcut is to click the chain between these fields so that your values are locked together, therefore, keeping your object in correct proportions.

Use Smart Objects and Filters for NonDestructive Designs

This is a new PS feature starting with CS4, and is an excellent way to maintain your layers while still adding effects and even replacing the layers content! Yes, you heard right, you can even replace a Smart Object with something completely new and the effects and edits of that layer will remain separate and will apply in the same manner to the new layers content. A Further Look Lets try an example. Say we have a layer that contains an image. First we convert it to a Smart Object by [ Ctrl + clicking ] on the layer and choosing Convert to Smart Object. Pretty simple, right?

Now lets apply a Gaussian Blur [ Filter | Blur | Gaussian Blur ]. Youll notice that the filter is applied as a Smart Filter. Meaning the original layer is still in tact, and the filter is applied as a mask. That mask can be selected and you can then paint on the canvas where the filter should be applied. Pretty cool.

But wait Theres more. Now I want to replace that layers content with something new. To do so, double click the Smart Objects layers thumbnail within the Layers Palette. The content will open in a new window. From here you can edit it, or replace it all together with something new.

This is an incredible tool that allows flexibility that was not available in previous versions of Photoshop.

Multiple Compositions with Layer Comps

Layer comps are an easy way to maintain alternative layouts in a single design file. This method of maintaining a design is much easier than managing multiple files of a single composition. To apply Layer Comps simply open the Layer Comps panel [ Window | Layer Comps ]. Once you have created a new layout within your document press the New Layer Comp icon at

the bottom of the panel. This will record the document state. You are then free to continue editing. At that point you can refresh the current layer comp or create a new one.

Once you get used to using Layer Comps youll find you cant lice without them.

Masking with Quick Mask Mode

One of the most tedious tasks in Photoshop is making a selection from an image, or so you thought. Making selections can be as easy as painting on your canvas using Quick Mask Mode [ Q ]. In QMM you can simply paint where you want your selection to appear. When you leave Quick Mask Mode your painted area will become a selection. QMM simplifies the task of creating a complex selection.

Did you know? While in Quick Mask Mode you can still edit your brush used for the selection area. Try adjusting the softness of your brush to select areas that are slightly out of focus within and image.

Masking Even Quicker with Quick Selection

If you want to make selections even faster, give the Quick Selection tool a try. This tool will select similar surrounding colors as you paint with the tool on your canvas.

How to Refine the Edges of Your Selections

Now that youve made your selection you may be asking What about the jagged line or hard edge created from my selection area?. In steps the Refine Edge feature. With a selection made [ Select | Refine Edge ]. A new window appears with several options for adjusting the edge of your selection.

Whats really cool about this feature is that you have complete control over your selection, and can preview it using several view modes in real time. Fine tuning your selections has never been easier. Did you know? You can even output your selection to a new layer with a layer mask? Non-destructive design at its best!

Using the Background Eraser Tool to Quickly Remove Background Color

Wouldnt it be nice to erase only the background of your image while leaving the foreground intact? Well its possible using the Background Eraser Tool. Select the Background Eraser Tool from the Eraser Tool drop down.

Once selected there are three options in the top menu bar for selecting how the tool performs. Sampling Continuous The tool continuously samples color to be removed as you paint. Sampling Once Erases only the color you sampled by [ Opt + clicking ] the color before erasing. Sample Background Swatch This is my favorite setting as it erases the color currently set as the background swatch.

Did you know? You can set the foreground color swatch to a color that you want to leave in tact within the image then select Protect Foreground Color in the top tool bar for the Background Eraser Tool.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Handling Selections

Add/Remove from a Selection Once youve made a selection sometimes its necessary to add to that selection without starting over from scratch. Likewise when trying to remove a portion of that selection. Add to a selection: [ Shift + Mouse Drage ] Remove from selection: [ Alt + Mouse Drag ] Constrain Marquee You can keep the Marquee tool confined to a perfect square or circle. Proportional Shape: [ Shift + Drag ] Draw Marquee from Center Instead of dragging your selection from the edge. Draw selection shape from center: [ Alt + Drag ] Draw Marquee from Center and Constrain The above two shortcuts at the same time. [ Shift + Alt + Drag ]

Saving Color Schemes Using the Swatches Palette

So youve created a logo and color scheme for use throughout all branding materials for a particular client, and you will need access to those colors across multiple documents. Why not save that color scheme as a set of swatches using the Swatches Palette. Its pretty easy.

You can add new colors to the Swatches Palette by simply clicking anywhere in the gray area or by clicking the new swatch icon. A dialog will appear allowing you to name the swatch. The chosen color will be whatever is set as the foreground color. Once you have your collection of swatches you can save them from the pull down menu at the top right of the palette. Now your clients brand colors are just a click away.

Non Destructive Editing Using Adjustment Layers

Adjustment layers are one more excellent example of non-destructive design, leaving your original image perfectly intact. You can add adjustment layers by using the icon at the bottom of the layers palette.

A menu appears with adjustment options. Lets select Levels for this example.

The a new layer appears above all others and the adjustment panel opens. Here you can select your levels and all layers below the adjustment layer will be effected.

Also note that the adjustment layer has a mask so you can use the brush tool to determine where the effect is applied.

Saving Your Layer Styles for Use in Other Documents

Often times you will create buttons in PS using layer styles. Those buttons my contain a gradient overlay, a stroke, and a subtle drop shadow or outer glow. Thats a lot of clicks to

create each button, especially across multiple documents. You can easily save all of your styles to the Styles Palette for future use. Once youve created a button with various styles click the New Style button within the Layer Style window.

Your style will be saved to the Layer Style palette. Once you have a collection of styles you can save them from the drop down menu in the top right of the Layer Style palette.

Using Multiple Sources with the Clone Stamp

Everyone is familiar with the Clone Stamp Tool and how it can be used to paint using a clone source within a document. But I bet you didnt know that you can paint using multiple sources. Up to 5, in fact. And you can switch between those sources using the Clone Source Panel. The sources can be from multiple layers or even multiple documents.

Choose a clone source icon at the top of the panel (1 through 5) and then [ Opt + click ] anywhere in the document to set that source. Choose another icon and do the same.

Applying Multiple Filters at Once With Filter Gallery

Sometimes the hardest part about applying filters is deciding which filters to apply. The task is made abundantly easier using the Filter Gallery. [ Filter | Filter Gallery ] From this new window you can apply multiple effects, edit and remove them, and experiment to your hearts content before committing. Pay close attention to the bottom right of this window.

You can add new effect layers from the icon at the bottom. You can even rearrange layers for different effects. The effects can also be reedited by selecting the corresponding effect layer.

Let Photoshop Do the Work with Advanced Content-Aware Fill

Content Aware Fill is a new option for removing something in an image without using the old methods of Clone Stamps or Healing Brushes alone. Start out with an image that has something to be removed. I have an image with a telephone pole blocking the view of the cloudy sky.

Make a loose selection around the pole. It doesnt have to be perfect, just quick. Thats one of the benefits of Content Aware.

Next choose [ Edit | Fill ] and make sure that Content-Aware is selected for Use:

The features effectiveness depends greatly on the image youre editing, but regardless, its quicker than relying completely on the Clone Stamp, which would have taken A LOT longer. Typically you will have to do a little bit of of touch up here and there, but over all ContentAware is a very powerful and useful time-saving tool.

Choosing the stock

Well use only the curves of the body and not the clothes. You must find a picture of a nude or lightly dressed person. I chose a picture of a woman with closed eyes laying in a calm/serene position. First step (that shouldnt be overlooked) is to trim down the character that figures on the picture. Easy to do with the pen tool under Photoshop. Then, you have to save the trace to use it later on.

Creating the glass effect

To create a character with a glass effect, it is best to find specific royalty free images of pieces of glass, bottles, light bulbs, aquarium To save you time during the trimming process. Try to download images with a white background. Create a new blank layer and paste another one above the outlined model, reduce the opacity of your layer while keeping the outlines visible. This will serve as a frame to place the glass over.

Here we go!
I found an image of a light bulb with a white background that Ill use to trace the contours of the body. To work this out, you must find the best piece of glass.

Distortion effect
Well use this piece of glass to transform it with the free transform tool. To do this, we simply need to adjust the size of the piece of glass with the selected part, and shift to free transform mode to fit the contour of the glass with the curve of the model. Dont do a lot with a single piece.

Layer mask
To blend all pieces together well need a layer mask and youll be able to join a line with a curve then another line etc. In a 3 part process. If the shape of the object doesnt match with the contour, delete the unnecessary elements with the layer and take a new piece of glass to finish the contour.

Carving
Sometimes youll need to rework some pieces to follow closely the contours of a shape. You can do this with the free transform tool and carve the contours to obtain a realistic effect. Remember to store your layers in easy-to-remember folders.

Carving again!
You have to repeate the same process as above for smaller parts by reducing them to perfectly stick to the fingers and ears of the model.

Face
Use the black brush with a selection to create the eyelashes and eyelids.

Finishing with the body aspects

Disable the layer on the model to see if your outline is properly done, and eventually correct assembly and merging errors. You can see that all internal parts of the body (armpit, neck and shoulder) have been worked similarly but with layers of reduced opacity compared to the contours.

Water
Get the selection trace of your character, and paint a new layer with a transparent blue color to give an aquarium effect. With a white fine brush draw the surface of the water, do not paint too close to the glass if you wish to get the thickness of the glass. You can also darken slightly the surface of the water to give the impression of a wave motion.

Water drops
To achieve condensation effect in the aquarium, use royalty free images of water drops on a window or take your camera and spray water on a glass. Give a 75% floodlight effect on the water drop layers.

Add vegetation
Youll need as much images of flowers/plants as you can to fill the aquarium. Create a folder under the glass and water files to simulate transparency. Flowers well be in the glass and feet in water. If the edges of the glass hide some of your flowers, create a layer mask on the folder and paint inside it to reveal flowers.

Fill your aquarium

Continue to place your flowers to fill your aquarium, while keeping in mind to vary shapes and colors. Make flowers overflow slightly with the free transform tool and reshape them to give a plastered effect against the glass.

Vegetation shadows
Select a layer of flowers and add a drop shadow effect. Right click on the layer effects that weve made previously and copy them, then select all the layers of flowers and right click to paste to the effects on all layers at once. Youll just have to modify a specific layer if necessary. I also added 2 goldfish, to emphasize the aquarium illustration.

Background
I tried to make a simple but textured background that gives a transparency effect on the glass. You simply need to find a texture and place it on a layer below plants. You can also add a slight gradient to draw attention to the center of the image.

Lights and shadows

You can add to your model other effects such as reduced opacity on shadows with a large brush. On another layer you can add some light.

Reflection
Take your light bulbs and glass pics and place the reflections on your character. You can also draw yourself the reflections by making a selection and painting them with a white brush.

Final step
Give the final touch by creating adjustment layers above all other layers. I added adjustment layers for contours, saturation, blue photo filter etc.

Conclusion
Well, thats about it! Hope you had fun working on this project and learned many things that will help you in the future!