This month we will begin a four-part session on Adobe Photoshop Elements. Although we are centering the meetings on Elements, most of the techniques and tools we discuss also apply to programs such as Paint Shop Pro, Ulead Photo Impact and other advanced image editing programs.

Getting Started:

Before you begin using Elements or any image editing program it is important to get the monitor and program interface set up to make the program easier to use.

Set your screen resolution

Elements is very difficult to use on a monitor smaller than 17". If you monitor is 17" or larger it is important to set up your screen resolution to allow for maximum work space.

If you have a 17" monitor set your resolution to 1024x768. If you have a 19" monitor set your resolution to 1280x1024.

Do this by right clicking on your desktop over an empty area (no icons) and choose Properties from the drop down menu. Set the slider to the given resolution.

Video Demonstration

To use the above video - choose Windows Media Player when asked what program to use.

Set Cursors for Precise Work

It is important to set up Elements for precise work by changing the default cursors. You can do this by going into Edit -> Preferences -> Display and Cursors.

Set your Painting Cursors to "Brush Size" and your Other Cursors to "Precise".

Video Demonstration

Getting to Know the Interface:

Menu Bar

The Menu Bar in Photoshop Elements serves the same basic functions as it does in most other programs.

Shortcuts Bar

The Shortcuts Bar contains many of the more common functions found buried in the Menu Bar such as New, Open, Browse, Import, Save, Print/Preview, Undo, and Quick Fix.

Palette Well

Elements has many special tools called Palettes. Each of these palettes can be dragged down and placed on the screen to remain open while you work on an image.

Some of the more useful palettes include:

Layers - Keeping this palette open will allow you to see all of the layers in your image.

History - Keeping this palette open will allow you to see everything that has been done to the image. This allows you to go back to a given point in the image editing process.

Navigator - Allows you to move your view around a large image without making the image smaller or using the scroll bars.

Options Bar

This bar is found under the Shortcuts Bar. It changes based on the tool you have selected from the Toolbox. You can fine tune your tools by adjusting the options in the Options Bar.

Toolbox

The toolbox contains tools for working on precise areas of the image. How to use each of these tools will be featured in future meetings.