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• Adobe Photoshop is image creation, graphic design, and photo editing software developed by Adobe.
• The functionality allows for many image editing options for pixel-based images, raster graphics, and vector graphics.
• The software utilizes a layer-based editing system that enables raster image creation and alteration with multiple overlays that support transparency.
• Edited images in Photoshop can be saved in various file formats, including JPEG, PNG, GIF for web use and TIFF for printing purposes.
• Adobe Photoshop was first released in 1988, created by Thomas and John Knoll.
• The latest version of Adobe Photoshop is Photoshop 2025, also known as version 26.
• Version 26 includes new features such as generative AI, the ability to work with 3D objects, and a remove tool with new options.

Photoshop Interface - Menu Bar

• The menu bar is where various options and commands are located, grouped into categories.
• The "File" menu holds options for opening, saving, and closing documents.
• The "Layer" menu lists options for working with layers.
• Photoshop's many filters are found under the "Filter" menu.

Option Bar

• The options in the bar depend on the selected tool in the Toolbar along the top of the interface, just above the document window.

Tool Bar

• The toolbar holds all of the different tools.
• It is also known as the Toolbox or the Tools panel.
• It is usually found along the left of Photoshop's interface.
• The tools allow for making selections, editing and retouching images, painting, adding type or shapes to documents, and more.
• The toolbar appears as a long single column of tools by default.
• Clicking the double-arrows at the top will expand the toolbar into a shorter, double column.
• Return it to a single column by re-clicking the arrows.
• Most of the tools in the Toolbar have other tools nested with them in the same spot.

Panel Dock

• The panel dock is located along the right, and gives access to all sorts of commands and options.
• Different panels exist for different tasks.
• The Layers panel is the most important panel, allowing the ability to add, delete and work with layers in the document.
• Adobe groups related panels together to save space on the screen.
• To find more panels not displayed, use the window menu in the Menu Bar.

Workspaces

• A workspace is a preset collection and arrangement of the various interface elements.
• They control which of Photoshop's panels are displayed on the screen, along with how those panels are arranged.
• A workspace can change the layout of the tools in the Toolbar.
• By default, Photoshop uses a workspace called Essentials, which has a general, all-purpose interface layout.

Document Area/ Document Window

• The area is the part of the interface where the project or image file is diplayed.
• Work can happen in the central workspace.

Creating a new file

• Navigate to the file tab in the top left and select New.
• This opens a dialog box to adjust the new file.
• Adjust file settings like; name, canvas size, resolution, file color mode and backdrop
• Higher resolution will mean better quality but increases file size

Selection Tools

• Selection tools are there to isolate parts of an image in order to edit, move, copy, or apply effects to only that area without affecting the rest of the image.
• Move Tool (V): Moves selected areas, layers, or objects.
• Marquee Tools (M): Selects rectangular, elliptical, or single-row areas.
• Lasso Tools (L): Freehand, polygonal, and magnetic selections.
• Quick Selection Tool (W): Selects areas based on similar colors.
• Magic Wand Tool (W): Selects areas with a single click based on color.

Crop and Slice Tools

• Crop Tool is used to remove unwanted parts of an image and adjust its composition or size.
• Slice Tool is used to divide an image into smaller sections or slices, which can then be saved or exported individually.
• Crop Tool (C): Crops or trims the canvas.
• Perspective Crop Tool (C): Crops while adjusting perspective.
• Slice Tool (C): Divides an image into sections for web design.
• Slice Select Tool (C): Selects and edits slices.

Retouching and Painting Tools

• Retouching and Painting Tools enhance the ability for editing and adding creative elements to images.
• Spot Healing Brush (J): Removes blemishes or imperfections.
• Healing Brush (J): Repairs areas using a sampled texture.
• Clone Stamp Tool (S): Duplicates part of an image.
• Eraser Tool (E): Erases parts of a layer or background.
• Pencil Tool (B): Draws hard-edged lines.
• Brush Tool (B): Paints custom strokes.
• Gradient Tool (G): Fills areas with a gradient.
• Paint Bucket Tool (G): Fills areas with solid color.

Drawing and Text Tools

• Drawing and Text Tools allow the chance to customize shapes and add text for creative projects.
• Pen Tool (P): Creates paths and shapes.
• Type Tool (T): Adds and edits text.
• Shape Tools (U): Draws rectangles, ellipses, and custom shapes.
• Path Selection Tool (A): Selects and moves paths or shapes.

Measuring and Navigation Tools

• Measuring and Navigation Tools efficiently manage and analyze images.
• Eyedropper Tool (I): Samples colors from the image.
• Ruler Tool (I): Measures distances and angles.
• Zoom Tool (Z): Zooms in or out.
• Hand Tool (H): Pans around the image.

Foreground and Background Color

• Foreground and background are essential settings used for tools and functions related to painting, filling, and erasing.
• The foreground color is the active color used when; painting with tools; filling selections; applying strokes and actively working on the canvas.
• The background color is used as a fallback color, often used when deleting pixels or extending the canvas, gradient transitions and may be revealed when erasing with certain settings.

Layer Panel

• The layer panel is a fundamental feature that provides the ability to view, organize, and manipulate the different layers in your project.
• Layers are transparent sheets stacked on top of one another, containing elements of a desig

Layer Panel Sections

• The panel includes PANEL NAME, FILTERING LAYERS, BLENDING MODE, LOCK OPTIONS, LAYER, VISIBILITY, LAYER GROUP, LAYER PANEL MENU, LAYER STYLES ICON, LAYER THUMBNAILS & NAME, LAYER EFFECTS, LOCK ICON and LAYER PANEL FOOTER.

Filtering Layers

• Filtering layers limit the view of the layers to only show those that fit criteria.
• Includes Kind, Name, Effect, Mode, Attribute and Color
• Kind is the default option that filters by the type.
• Name filters layers by their name, for example, typing Whale filters to layers called Whale.
• Effect shows layers that have styles, whereas Mode shows based on the blending mode.

Attributes

• Attributes show layers based on if they are; visible, locked, or empty.
• Showing whether or not layers have assigned color tags is a feature of Colors.

Lock Options

• Provide a way to restrict specific actions on a layer, preventing accidental changes when editing other parts.
• Lock Transparent Pixels prevents painting/editing on only the non-transparent parts.
• Lock Image Pixels prevents any changes to the pixel content.
• Lock Position stops the layers from being moved.
• Lock All completely locks the layer, preventing any changes.

Opacity And Fill

• Each control adjust the transparency of a layer or it's contents with distinct purposes.
• Opacity controls transparency of the entire layer, including the layer's content and their applied style.
• Fill, on the other hand, controls only the content and leaves any applied style untouched.

Blending Mode

• Determines how the colors and tones of one layer interact with the layers beneath them.

Layer Style

• Enhance the appearance in a non-destructive way.
• Commonly used for creating text effects, glowing edges and shadows.

Layer Panel Footer

• A row of icons along the bottom provide quick access to tools and functions relating to creating or modifying layers.
• The tools include: LINK LAYER ICON; ADD LAYER STYLE; ADD LAYER MASK; ADJUSTMENT LAYER; GROUP LAYER; CREATE NEW LAYER; DELETE LAYER

Saving

• Access saving options via the file tab at the top.
• Save (Ctrl+S) saves changes to the current document.
• Save As... (Shift+Ctrl+S) saves the current document with a new name or location.
• Check In... saves the file and checks it into a version control system (used in team workflows).
• Save for Web... (Alt+Shift+Ctrl+S) optimizes the file for web use by reducing size for faster loading.