Photoshop Basics

Quick Reference Guide

Created By:

Jeremy Hardin

Last Updated: 6/15/18

 Photoshop Quick Reference Guide
How to Open a Canvas

Steps What You See

The Canvas is the foundation to allow the

user to layer images and texts

Opening Adobe Photoshop

Click: Start Menu

Type: Photoshop in the search box

Click: Adobe Photoshop CC

Opening A New Canvas

Go: To the top of the screen

Click: File

Click: New in the drop down menu

Click: Print on the Top Tab

Select: U.S paper

Note: Width and Height will adjust to the

preset value for U.S. paper which is 8.5 by 11

Input: Width to 6 inches

Input: Height to 2 inches

Note: Preset value will change to custom

Click: Create when finished with settings

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 Photoshop Quick Reference Guide
How to Use the Move Tool

Steps What You See

The move tool allows the user to simply

move things on your canvas.

Locating the Move Tool

Locate the tool palette

Note: The tool palette column is located

along the left side of the screen

Note: The move tool is the first icon on

the tool palette and this icon appears as a
mouse cursor.

Using the Move Tool

Click: on an object with your mouse and

drag it to the desired location

Release: the mouse button when you have

reached your desired location

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Single Pixel Movement

Select: The move tool in the tool palette

Select: The image you want to move from your

layer palette

Use: The arrow keys to move the selection in 1‑

pixel increments

Note: The right arrow key moves the image 1

pixel at a time to the right

Multi-Pixel Movement

Select: The move tool in the tool palette

Select: The image you want to move from your

layer palette

Hold: the Shift key and use the arrow keys to

perform Multi-Pixel movements

Note: This moves the selection in 10‑pixel

increments

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 Photoshop Quick Reference Guide
How to Use the Rectangle Tool

Steps What You See

The rectangle tool is an important tool,

which allows users to create rectangular
shapes.

Locating the Rectangle Tool Icon

Go: To the tool bar menu

Note: the tool bar column located along the

left side of the screen

Select: the Rectangle tool

Note: the rectangle tool appears as a “”

icon

Creating the Rectangle

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Click + Drag: Mouse to create the rectangular
shape

Note: Cursor will change from pointer to

crosshair

To Adjust Color

Go: To the menu bar for the Rectangle Tool

Note: Menu bar is located at the top of the

screen

Choose: Fill to change the color of your

shape

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 Photoshop Quick Reference Guide
How to Use the Marquee Tool

Steps What You See

The marquee tool is a selection tool which

allows the user to copy or delete sections of a
layer.

Locating the Marquee Tool

Locate the tool palette

Note: The tool palette column is located along

the left side of the screen

Select: The Marquee Tool

Note: The Marquee Tool appears as a dotted

line in the shape of a rectangle

Using the Marquee Tool

Click: On an object with your mouse and drag

the Marquee tool around the object you want
selected

Release: the mouse button when you are done

making your selection

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Copying the Selection

Press: The control key (Ctrl) and C on the

keyboard to copy the selected marquee image

Pasting the Selection

Press: The control key (Ctrl) and V key to

paste selected marquee image

Note: A duplicate image is created of the

selected area

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 Photoshop Quick Reference Guide
How to Insert an Image

Steps What You See

Inserting an image option allows the user to

place an image on the canvas for manipulation

Inserting the Image

Click: The file tab

Select: Place Linked

Selecting the Image

Select: the image you are placing on the canvas

Click: Place when you are finished with your

selection

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To Confirm Place of Image

Click: On either corner on the image to adjust

sizing of image

Click: The check mark icon to confirm

placement

Note: Check mark icon is located above the canvas

Photoshop Quick Reference Guide

How to Free Transform an Image

Steps What You See

The Free Transform option allows the users to

reshape, rotate, and move images

How to Locate Layer Panel

Go: To the layer panel

Note: the Layer panel is located along the right

side of the screen

Select: the layer tab

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Selecting the Layer

Select: the layer that has the image

Selecting Free Transform

Go: to the Edit drop menu along the menu bar on

top of the screen

Select: Free Transform

Free Transform Image

Select: The corner on the bounded box around

the image

Drag: The corner to reshape the image

Click: The check mark above the canvas to finish

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 Photoshop Quick Reference Guide
How to Duplicate an Image

Steps What You See

The duplication option allows the users to
copy layers and edit the copied layers without
destroy the original layer.

Opening an Image

Click: The file tab

Note: The menu bar is located above the

screen

Select: Open option

Select: the image you are opening

Duplicating the Image

Select: The image you are placing on the canvas

Click: Image tab

Select: Duplicate

Edit Name for Duplicated Image

Type: A name for the duplicate image

Click: Ok when finished

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 Photoshop Quick Reference Guide
How to Use the Crop Tool

Steps What You See

The crop tool allows user to display only certain
parts of the image to be seen.

Selecting the Cropping tool

Go: To the Tool palette

Note: Tool panel is located along the left side of the

screen

Click: Cropping tool Icon

Note: The Type Tool Icon appears as a Frame on the

tool palette

Using the Crop Box

Drag: Crop box over the image you will be cropping

Click: the crop box corners to adjust the size of the

crop box

Landscape or Portrait option

Locate : Landscape or Portrait from the cropping

option bar

Note: The cropping option bar is located above the

canvas

Click: the Landscape or Portrait option to change

the crop box view from Landscape to portrait or vice
versa

Note: the Landscape and Portrait Icon appears as a

rotating arrow on the cropping option bar

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Straighten Option

Select: The Straighten Icon from the cropping

option bar that appears at the top of your screen
after clicking on the Crop icon in the toolbar
section

Note: the Straighten Icon appears as a purse on

the cropping option bar

Drag: the mouse across to display a straight line

Click: the check mark to apply changes

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 Photoshop Quick Reference Guide
How to Rename a Layer

Steps What You See

The rename layer option allows users to
change the name of a layer for better
organization

Locating the Layer Panel

Go: to the layer panel

Note: the Layer panel is located along the right

side of the screen

Select: the layer tab

Select Layer to be renamed

Double Click: the layer name

Change layer name

Type: The new name of the layer

Press: The enter key for the layer to be renamed

Note: Simply tap Tab key to move to the layer

below, which makes it easier and faster to
rename a large list of layers

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 Photoshop Quick Reference Guide

How to Conceal a Layers

Steps What You See

The conceal layer icon allows the user to hide or
display certain layers

How to Locate Layer Panel

Go: To the layer panel

Note: the layer panel is located along the right side

of the screen

Select: the layer tab

Conceal All Layers Expect One

Select: the layer you want to display

Press and hold: Alt Key (PC) or Option key (MAC)

Click: the eye icon

Note: the eye icon appears as an open eye when

images are visible and a gray box when an image is
hidden

Conceal Individual Layers

Select: The layer you want concealed

Click: The open eye icon to conceal the layer

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 Photoshop Quick Reference Guide

How to use Auto Select

Steps What You See

The Auto-Select option allows users to click

on any selection and it will automatically
highlight that specific layer.

Locating the Auto-Select button

Click: the move tool

Note: The move tool is located on the tool panel

along the left side of the screen

Note: The move tool appears as a mouse pointer

in the tool panel

Select: The Auto-Select options

Note: The Auto-Select option is located in the

menu bar above the screen

Switching on Auto-Select

Check: the box to enable the Auto-Selection mode

Click: on the image that you want to move

Note: When Auto-Select is enabled Photoshop will

automatically select that layer you trying to grab
and move the image

Switching off Auto-Select

Uncheck: the box to disable the auto select mode

Note: When Auto Select is disabled, you will have

to manually scroll through layers to find the image
you would like to move.

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 Photoshop Quick Reference Guide

How to Add a Textbox

Steps What You See

The type tool is used to create a textbox. This

allows the user to create text within the layer

Selecting The Type Tool Icon:

Go: to the tool palette

Note: Tool palette is located along the left side of

the screen

Select: Type Tool Icon

Note: The Type Tool Icon appears as the Letter

“T” on the Tool panel

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Creating the Textbox:

Click: The part of your layer where you

would like to add textbox

Drag: The mouse to create the textbox

Click: on the corner of the textbox to adjust

size

Typing in the Textbox

Type: Desired text within the textbox

Click: The check mark icon above the screen

to finish

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 Photoshop Quick Reference Guide
How to Edit Text

Steps What You See

The Edit text options allows users to correct

or retype any text within the layer

Go: To the tool bar menu

Note: The tool bar column located along the left

side of the screen

Select: The Textbox Tool Icon

Note: The Type Tool Icon appears as the

Letter “T” on the Toolbox Bar

Go: to the layer panel

Note: the Layer panel is located along the right

side of the screen

Select: the layer tab

Select: the layer that displays the textbox

Click: inside the textbox

Edit: the selected text

Click : Move tool when finished editing your text

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 Photoshop Quick Reference Guide
How to Customize Gradient

Steps What You See

The customize gradient option
allows user to blend two or more
colors

How to Locate Layer Panel

Go: To the layer panel

Note: the Layer panel is located

along the right side of the screen

Select: the layer tab

Selecting Gradient Overlay

Right Click: The layer which

displays your rectangular shape

Select : Blending options

Select: Gradient Overlay

Double Click: Gradient title box

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Gradient Editor

Select: a preset gradient to edit

Select : A Color Stop

Drag: Color Stop to change the

range of the color

Click : Color to change the

existing color

Click: Ok when finish selecting

color change

Click: Ok when you are finish

customizing your gradient

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