Photoshop Tool Bar PDF
Photoshop Tool Bar PDF
Photoshop Tool Bar PDF
http://library.albany.edu/imc/
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Photoshop Tips
The Photoshop Tool Bar
The Photoshop Tool Bar is the heart of the Photoshop imageediting program. Learning
what the tools are and what they can do is one of the very first things that a new
Photoshop user should do. This Tech Tip is discusses the Tool Bar in Photoshop.
However, it is applicable to the Tool Bars in earlier versions of the program. While more
recent versions of the program have newer tools, many tools remain the same and the
functions of others are similar.
The Photoshop Tool Bar
If the Tool Bar is not visible, click Window on the Menu bar at the top of the screen. A
drop down menu will appear. Then click Tools and the Tool Bar will be displayed.
The Tool Bar is illustrated below. Note that the actual tools displayed will depend on the
settings left by the last user. In most instances, clicking and holding on one of the
buttons can access several tools. This illustration shows many of the typical tools.
Adobe Online
Rectangular Move Tool
marquee tool Magic Wand
Lasso tool Slice tool
Crop tool Brush tool
Healing tool History brush tool
Clone tool Paint bucket
Eraser Dodge tool
Blur tool Text tool
Path tool Rounded rectangle tool
Pen tool Eyedropper
Notes tool Zoom tool
Hand tool Background color
Foreground Color
Color default flip
Modes
ImageReady
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Many of the buttons on the tool bar control more than one tool or different modes for the
same tool. As an example, the Paint Bucket tool button hides the button for the
Gradient tool .
Click either the Paint Bucket button or the Gradient
tool button, whichever is displayed. A pop out menu
will appear. That menu is illustrated on the right.
Select either of the buttons. That button will now become active on the Tool Bar and you
can now work with that tool.
Experiment with the other tool buttons and see what tools and modes are available.
Special Buttons
The Photoshop Tool Bar has two special buttons that do not directly access tools. The
first button is the Adobe Online button . If you click this button you will be
connected to Adobe.com, assuming you have Internet access available.
The ImageReady button starts the ImageReady program. ImageReady is a
supplementary program that comes with later versions of Photoshop. It allows users to
optimize images for Web use, create animated GIFs, and perform other specialized
operations. When the ImageReady button in clicked, the currently active image in
Photoshop will be appear in the ImageReady workspace.
Using Tools
To use any tool, simply click once on the appropriate button to select it. The tool will
then become active and can be used in the Photoshop workspace. Many tools can be
modified or adjusted depending on the task. The Photoshop Help or reference books will
assist in perfecting good tool techniques and methods.
Functions of Popular Tools
Because Photoshop has so many features, and because it can be highly complex, it is not
possible to discuss every tool and option available in this document. However,
descriptions of several of the most popular tools follow.
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Rectangular Marquee This tool allows the user to select rectangular shaped
areas within an image. The areas can then be copied or cut and then pasted into new
layers. The tool also can become a bounding border for "pouring" color with the Paint
Bucket or Gradient tools. Other marquee tools are available by clicking and holding the
button.
Move tool The Move tool is used to move selected layers around. Clicking and
holding the mouse button can adjust the positions of layer elements. This tool is also
used to set and move Guide Lines.
Lasso Tool This tool is used to select parts of a layer for editing. There are other
types of lassos available, including a Magnetic Lasso and Polygonal Lasso.
Magic Wand The Magic Wand is used to select portions of an image based on
color. Sections of the same color are selected when the wand it touched on the desired
color and the mouse if left clicked.
Crop Tool The Crop tool is an important tool for making adjustments to the overall
size of an image. Using the Crop tool affects the size of the whole image, not just a
single layer. This is a powerful tool and must be used carefully.
Clone Tool The Clone tool is used to copy portions of a layer from one area to
another. It is similar to the Rubber Stamp tool found in earlier versions of Photoshop.
Paint Bucket This tool is used to "pour" areas of color onto a layer. It is
especially useful when used with a marquee. The Gradient tool is found in the same
location.
Eraser The Eraser is used to remove portions of a layer. Its size can be adjusted so
that it can be used very delicately or quite grossly.
Blur Tool The Blur tool is used to selectively blur areas of a layer. The amount of
blur can be controlled. It is especially handy when blending colors or objects.
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Text Tool This is the tool that is used to add to an image and to edit existing text.
Size, color, and other attributes of the text can be specified and adjusted.
Eye Dropper The Eye Dropper is used to select color. The color that is "picked
up" by the Eye Dropper appears as the new foreground color.
Zoom Tool This is a very handy tool used to quickly zoom in or out of an image.
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