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10 HOT Photoshop CS Tips

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Here are 10 HOT Photoshop CS tips.

1. Add, Take away, or intersect a selection
Ctrl-Click (MAC: Command-click) ib a path, channel, of layer to load it as a selection. Hold Shift to an active selection, Alt (MAC: Option) to take away, and Shift-Alt (MAC: Shift-Option) to intersect it.

2.Scan Large Images
Scan each half, making sure that there is enough overlap between the pieces. Open both halves and use:
File -> Automate -> Photomerge to automatically put the two halves together.

3. Lighten or darken an area in your image
Make a selection around the area with a feathered edge. Pres Ctrl-J (MAC: Command-J) to turn selection into layer. Change the Bland Mode to Screen (lighten the area) of Multiply (darken the area) and adjust the Opacity in Layers palette to correct the area. This way you will protect the contrast of the affected area.

4. See your type color
When you've highlighted type and are trying to change the color you can't actually see the color since the text is highlighted. To see the color press Ctrl-H (MAC: Command-H) to hide highlighting.

5. Change the font of multiple layers
Link all type layers, then activate the Type. Make sure none of the type layers is highlighted. Hold down Shift key and go to the Options Bar and choose a different font. All linked layers will automatically change. This will work with other Option Bar settings such as Size and Alignment.

6. Instant Background
Take any image and apply a Motion blur at the maximum setting of 999. You'll blur all the detail but will often end up with some pretty cool looks. Try using other filters or blurs on top of it.

Instant Background sample Instant Background Sample Blur

7. Transforming Type
When you apply some Free Transform to the type, chances are you will loose some quality and you wont be able to use Distort or Perspective. To avoid quality loss convert the text to a shape by using Layer->Type->Convert to Shape. All transformation commands will be available and their will be no loss of quality.

8. Separate layer styles on their own layers
Once you applied a Layer Style such as drop shadow to a layer, you can separate the effect onto its own layer. Go to Layers Menu, locate Layer Style and select Create Layer. Instantly the shadow is placed on it's own layer.

9. Change brush softness on the fly
To increase or decrease the brush softness of a round brush without changing the size of the brush use Shift-bracket kyes.
" Shift-[ "  increases and " Shift- ] " decreases the softness.

10. Scroll while using other tools
If you are doing some Lassoing for example and need to scroll, pressing and holding the Spacebar will temporarily activate Hand tool so you can scroll using your mouse. Let go of the Spacebar to continue using the Lasso.