What is Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is a computer software published by adobe Inc on windows and mac OS for editing images, creating animations, digital arts, graphic designs, etc in an industry-standard manner. Photoshop was created by Thomas Knoll and John Knoll and later developed by Adobe Inc. Photoshop is capable of creating basic to advance levels of editing with its powerful tools and features. The editing process of photoshop is flexible because of its layering method to ensure accuracy.
Adobe Photoshop is an extremely powerful application that’s used by many designers, web developers, graphic artists, photographers, and creative professionals. It’s used for almost any type of image editing, retouching, creating image compositions, website mock-ups, and adding affects.
The Evolution / History of Photoshop
Photoshop was created by Knoll Brothers Thomas and John in 1987. Thomas Knoll while studying engineering at the University of Michigan turned a monochromatic image into grayscale by writing a program on Macintosh Plus. From here he continued to create special visual effects of images on the screen. Looking at this Thomas’s brother John who was working at George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic was impressed and encouraged to evolve the programs into a fully-fledged image editor. In 1988 both the Knoll brothers worked together and developed an application which was named ‘Image Pro’. As this name was already taken, Thomas renamed this program Photoshop and started to market this software. They cracked a deal with a scanner manufacturer named Barneyscan to distribute 200 copies of this software for a short span. Later Thomas started to present this program to many renowned companies to extend their distribution. In late 1988 Adobe systems purchased the license of this program and renamed it ‘Adobe Photoshop’. Adobe Systems exclusively released Photoshop 1.0 version for Mac OS on February 19, 1990. Later this software was adapted in 1993 for Windows OS as well. This Software then became industry-standard consisting of digital color editing features. In 1995 Adobe owned Photoshop by purchasing its rights from Knoll Brothers.
Importance of Photoshop in Various Industries
Graphic Designers
Photoshop includes a lot of features which is convenient enough for graphic designers to create various designing tasks like logo design, brochure design, business card design, social media design, and many others. Graphic Designers can use photoshop without any limits to give that professional touch to all the design works in a short span.
Photographers
Photoshop is highly beneficial for photographers to refine the raw images by adding or adjusting the tools precisely. Photographers use this all-in-one software to remove or add any object, retouching the image, blend multiple images, and many other photo editing or manipulation tasks. It makes a mediocre image into a professional-level masterpiece without much time.
Architecture Designers
Architecture designers widely depend on photoshop for presenting the structure of landscapes and other architecture works as it has got versatile features. Photoshop can make wonders by correcting minute errors faster and effectively.
Website Designers
To make an impressive online presence website designers use photoshop for multiple applications. Website designers use this software to create web layouts, logos, website banners, contact forms, social media icons, and many other aspects of the website effectively with less time. Creating user-friendly landing pages of websites can also be created with photoshop.
Film Makers
Photoshop is a go-to software for filmmakers to make any shot look enhanced or more detailed. There’s no doubt that the camera plays important role in filmmaking but sometimes due to some limitations regarding lighting effects, the quality of the film or a video won’t be up to mark. During such cases, photoshop is highly used by filmmakers as it plays wonders by completely transforming a bland shot into a great masterpiece with fewer efforts using amazing tools.
Animators
Photoshop consists of a wide range of tools that are used by animators to add filters, edit, make adjustments, and many more endless changes to the frames. As animation is very vast and requires a precise technique for successful output, animators make complete use of photoshop. Animators also use Photoshop for creating 2D and 3D effects appropriately.
Versions of Photoshop
Photoshop 1.0
Initially, Knoll Brothers Thomas and John were the ones who created this software and began to market this software as best as possible. They made a short-term contract with a scanner manufacturer named Barneyscan to sell 200 copies of photoshop. After that this software was noticed by Adobe and made a deal of licensing photoshop. Adobe officially released Photoshop 1.0 version which was renamed Adobe Photoshop in 1990.
Photoshop 2.0 and 2.5
In 1991, Adobe released Photoshop 2.0 Version which included an upgraded user interface, paths, CMYK, and EPS rasterization which are used even today.
In 1993, Adobe released Photoshop 2.5 which was the upgraded version of Photoshop 2.0. This version of the software was made available for Windows OS which included a toolbar for adding filters and 16-bit per channel support.
Photoshop 3.0
Adobe released this software in 1994 for Macintosh and Windows OS. This is one of the best versions of photoshop which includes layers. Layers make the editing process very accurate by separately editing/adjusting the images.
Photoshop 4.0
In 1996 Adobe Systems released the major version named photoshop 4.0 for Macintosh and Windows OS. This version includes action and adjustment layers which help in applying effects and automation to the layers. Features in Photoshop 4.0 version are used even today and know to be the main feature.
Photoshop 5.0 and 5.5
In 1998 Adobe Systems released Photoshop 5.0 for Windows and Macintosh. This version came up with some new features like magnetic lasso and pen, freeform pen, color management, editable type, multiple undo, automation plugins, increased 16 bit/channel support, measure tool, and so on.
Photoshop 5.5 is the updated version of Photoshop 5.0 released by Adobe Systems in February 1999. This version included the ‘Save for Web’ feature to create images for the web.
Photoshop 6.0
Adobe System released Photoshop 6.0 version in September 2000 for Macintosh and Windows. This version had an updated user interface with vector shapes and other additional features to easily create vector graphics.
Photoshop Elements
In 2001 Adobe released Photoshop Elements which made the User interface very simple. This version included only limited features to make it easy for application.
Photoshop 7.0
Adobe System released this version in March 2002 for Macintosh and Windows. It included features like healing brush, spell check, vectorized text, painting engine to create more versatile graphics.
Creative Suit
Adobe launched its further versions of photoshop with ‘Creative Suit’ branding. The version numbers were replaced by CS followed by numbers.
Photoshop CS
In October 2003 Adobe System released the 8th Version which is named Photoshop CS (Creative Suite). This version came up with a user-friendly interface with simple and effective features. Photoshop CS includes camera raw 2.0, smart guides, sorting and sharing capabilities, match color for uniformity in images, lens blur filter, shadow, and highlight adjustment, slice tool, real-time histogram to detect changes in images, scripting support, and various others.
Photoshop CS2
Photoshop CS2 was launched in May 2005 by Adobe System and rapidly took over the market. This is a more developed and upgraded version of Photoshop CS with some newly added features. It included Camera raw 3.0 to edit multiple images, image wrapping tool, point vanishing tool, edit presets, spot healing brush mainly for photographers, smart objects, lens correcting tool, non-destructive editing, and so on for easy manipulation of images.
Photoshop CS3
Adobe System Launched Photoshop CS3 in April 2007 with the enhanced speed in the program. This version was mainly based on optimizing the software than adding more features. In addition to Mac and Pc, this software also got optimized for mobile usage. Some of the additional tools included in this feature are improved file format support, better camera raw support, improved brightness modification, improved image stitching, enhanced vanishing tool, and so on.
Photoshop CS4
Adobe System released Photoshop CS4 in September 2008. This version was an up-gradation of the previous one with an easy-to-use interface. Photoshop CS4 includes an adjustment panel, better zooming and panel feature, content-aware scaling, canvas rotational and color correction tool, the addition of mask panel, 64bit support, and so on.
Photoshop CS5
Adobe System Released Photoshop CS5 in April 2010 with much more improvements and development of the tools. This version included 64bit support, puppet wrap, mixer brush, color pick tool, video editing tool, cropping tool, bristle tips, auto image straightening tool, and so on.
Photoshop CS6
Photoshop CS6 was released by Adobe System in May 2012 with a completely new User Interface. This version came up with features like content-aware path, content-aware move, background saving, color and layer adjustments, camera raw 7, improved vector tools, and so on.
Creative Cloud
Further Adobe released photoshop versions with the updating the nomenclature to ‘Creative Cloud’. Adobe offered photoshop with Creative Cloud Subscription.
Photoshop CC
Adobe System released Photoshop CC in June 2013 as a part of Creative Cloud subscription. This was the 14th version which included new additional features to the software like camera raw 8.3, smart sharpen tool, intelligent upsampling, camera shake reduction, image sharpening, sync preferences with cloud, edited rounded rectangles, and so on. It also included Adobe generator, a major feature for creating plugins for photoshop.
Photoshop CC 2014
Photoshop CC 2014 was released in June 2014 by Adobe. This is the 15th version with new enhancements like two additional blur tools, increased speed of task, improved content-aware tools, enhanced smart objects, and focus mask.
Photoshop CC 2015
Adobe released 16th and 17th versions named Photoshop CC 2015 in June 2015 with some new features. This version came up with camera raw 9.1, adobe stock, a more enhanced user interface, and many other minor features.
Photoshop CC 2017
Adobe released Photoshop CC 2017, the 18th version in October 2017 with the introduction of the new template sector. This version includes some special features like adobe portfolio, search tool facility, an updated panel of libraries, integration of MacBook pro touch, and various other improvements.
Photoshop CC 2018
Photoshop CC 2018 is the 19th version released by Adobe in October 2017. This version came up with modifications in brushstroke, frame tool, multiple new curvature pen tool, lightroom photo access, and many other features to makes the user interface very effective.
Photoshop CC 2019
Adobe launched the 20th version named Photoshop CC 2019 in October 2018. This version came up with a new frame tool, an Improved cloud-based feature, and many other advanced features.
Photoshop CC 2020
Photoshop CC 2020 is the 21st version released by adobe in November 2019. This version included an improved object selection tool, upgraded content-aware fill, improvements in presets. It also comes with an enhanced library of gradients, layers, shapes, patterns. One more major feature is the keyboard shortcuts which are most likely utilized today.
What is Pixels?
Pixels are the smallest unit of information that makes up a picture. Usually round or square, they are typically arranged in a 2-dimensional grid. Every photograph, in digital form, is made up of pixels.
Difference B/W Raster & Vector Graphics
Raster Graphics
Raster Graphics, also called bitmap graphics is a type of digital image that uses tiny rectangular pixels, or picture elements, arranged in a grid formation to represent an image.
Vector Graphics
Vector Graphics is artwork made up of points, lines, and curves that are based upon mathematical equations, rather than a solid-colored square pixels. This means that no matter how large or small or how close you zoom in on the image, the lines, curves, and points remain smooth.
List of Tools in Photoshop
1. Move Tool (V)
Move tool helps to relocate the selected one or two layers of the images.
2. Pen Tool (P)
The pen tool is used for a free-hand drawing of the paths. It helps in outlining an object to isolate the image from the background.
3. Clone Stamp Tool (S)
Clone Stamp Tool is used to replicate or copy a part of the image to other parts of the same image. It helps in correcting any errors in the image.
4. Shape Tool (U)
Shape Tools are used to create different shapes to make vector graphics and paths. Photoshop consists of a wide range of shape tools like rectangles, rounded rectangles, ellipses, polygons, and lines.
5. Crop Tool (C)
Crop Tool helps in outlining an appropriate part of an image discarding unwanted sections to create the main focus.
6. Marque Selection Tool (M)
Marque selection took helps in editing the selected part of the image without making any changes for the non-selected part. Unlike the crop tool, the Marque selection tool allows making changes to the selected part of the image before cropping.
7. Lasso Tool (L)
Lasso Tool helps in the freehand selection of an image section. It consists of a polygonal lasso tool and magnetic tools to appropriately outline the edges of the image.
8. Magic Wand (W)
Magic Wand helps in selecting the parts of images with the same pixels with just one click easily.
9. Eye Tool ( J)
The eye tool is a very important tool that helps to remove the red eyespot from the photographs. It’s also used to edit the closed eye or any other changes of eyes in the photograph.
10. Blur Tool
Blur Tool helps in creating a portrait mode of the image by adjusting the rough edges of the image to smooth edges to add a blur effect.
11. Measuring and Navigation
It consists of Zoom tool and Hand tool. These tools help in navigating a selected part of the image from one direction to another and adjusting the size of the part of an image for better view.
12. Eraser Tool (E)
Eraser Tool helps in alter or remove the unwanted pixel of an image to the background color or transparent. It is very useful while editing multi-layered images. This tool is in the form of a brush which can be adjusted for different sizes.
13. Dodge Tool (O)
Dodge Tool helps in adjusting the brightness of an image i.e it is used to lighten or darken an image accordingly.
14. Colour Replacement Tool (I)
Colour Replacement Tool is used to adjust the color of the selected image without altering the brightness or highlights of the original image.
15. 3D Effect
3D Effect is a very useful feature to grab the attention with its extrusions. With this feature texts or images can be highlighted by adding extrusions.
Photoshop file formats
Photoshop files have default file extension as .PSD, which stands for “PhotoShop Document”. A PSD file stores an image with support for most imaging options available in Photoshop. A PSD file has a maximum height and width of 30,000 pixels, and a length limit of two gigabytes.
Photoshop files sometimes have the file extension. PSB, which stands for “PhotoShop Big” (also known as “large document format”). A PSB file extends the PSD file format, increasing the maximum height and width to 300,000 pixels and the length limit to around 4 Exabytes.
Because of Photoshop’s popularity, PSD files are widely used and supported to some extent by most competing software, including Open-source / Free software such as GIMP. The .PSD file format can be exported to and from Adobe’s other apps like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere Pro, and After Effects.
Some of the file formats to preview the output
1. JPEG
JPEG (JOINT PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPERTS GROUP) is the most common format for saving photos when you need a smaller file size. Most photos you see online are jpeg.
2. PNG
A PNG, or (Portable Network Graphic), is an image type that’s commonly used in web design to provide a transparent background and/or a semi-transparent image.
3. GIF
A GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a short, animated picture, without sound. GIF minimizes file sizes and reduces the electronic transfer time.
4. TIFF
TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), is one of the most widely used file formats for storing images. TIFF images can use almost any resolution, and they can be black and white, gray-scaled, or color. TIFF files also support multiple layers and pages.
5. PDF
PDF (PORTABLE DOCUMENT FORMAT) is the most common way of out putting high quality print files that contain photos and text, and is the main output format used by Graphic Designers.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Adobe Photoshop
Keyboard Shortcuts is beneficial while performing various tasks in photoshop as it makes the work easy, quick and very effective. Note: For Mac Users Control means Command and Alt means Option.
| Result | Shortcut Key |
|---|---|
| Change the image size | Control + Alt + i |
| Change canvas size | Control + Alt + c |
| Zoom in | Control + + |
| Zoom out | Control + - |
| Move Tool | V |
| Magic Wand | W |
| Marque Select Tool | M |
| Lasso Tool | L |
| Eyedropper Tool | i |
| Crop Tool | C |
| Eraser Tool | E |
| Rectangle | U |
| Brush Tool | B |
| Spot Healing Brush | J |
| Path Selection Tool | A |
| Hand Tool | H |
| Pen Tool | P |
| Clone Stamp Tool | S |
| Dodge Tool | O |
| Zoom Tool | Z |
| Zoom Out | Alt (hold alt key) |
| Rotate Tool | R (hit on r and drag the mouse) |
| Rotate in 15 degrees | Hold R Tool + Shift + Drag the mouse |
| Default Foreground and Background Colors | D |
| Switch Foreground and Background Colors | X |
| Display precise crosshair for brushes. | Caps Lock or Shift + Caps Lock (Caps Lock) |
| Toggle airbrush option | Shift + Alt + P |
| Select all objects | Control + A |
| Deselect all objects | Control + D |
| Select the inverse of the selected objects | Shift + Control + i |
| Select all layers | Control + Alt + A |
| Merge all layers | Control + Shift + E |
| Select top layer | Alt + . |
| Select bottom layer | Alt + , |
| Select next layer down or up | Alt + [ OR ] |
| Move target layer down or up | Control + [ OR ] |
| Move layer to the bottom or top | Control + Shift + [ OR ] |
| Create a new layer | Shift + Control + N |
| Group selected layers | Control + G |
| Ungroup selected layers | Control + Shift + G |
| Merge selected layers | Control + E |
| Combine all layers into a new layer on top of the other layers. | Control + Shift + Alt + E |
| Transform your object, which includes resizing and rotating | Control + T |
| Save as | Control + Shift + S |
| Save for web and devices | Control + Shift + Alt + S |
Works that can be done using Photoshop
1. Photo Manipulation
2. Skin retouch
3. Color Grading or Color Correction
4. Website Mockup
5. Print Designs
