Articles, Tutorials, and Tips

Adobe Photoshop Tutorials and Tips

The Adobe Photoshop Tutorials and Tips section offers a growing number of graphics tutorials devoted to Adobe Photoshop, especially creating Web graphics with Photoshop. Currently you'll find tutorials on creating Web page background graphics, 45-degree scanlines, and our series on Photoshop selection tools, including the lasso tool, the magic wand tool, and using channels for selecting. Tutorials cover Photoshop CS3, CS2, and older versions, too.

Do you have suggestions for tutorials or tips on Photoshop? Suggestions, recommendations are welcome and encouraged!

On this page:

Photoshop Tutorials and Tips
Photoshop Selection Tools Tutorial Series

Photoshop Tutorials and Tips

Creating a Border Background with Photoshop
Step-by-step instructions with screenshots all along the way to show how to create a border background with Adobe Photoshop. As you learn how to create the popular left side border background graphic, instructions include how to work with layers, how to use the Marquee Tool, the Marquee Tool, the Paint Bucket Tool, the Move Tool, the Color Picker and Web-safe Color window. You'll also learn how to use layer styles to create drop shadows and how to format and save images for Web use. This Web graphics tutorial is updated for Adobe Photoshop CS3 and still works fine with Photoshop 5.5, CS, CS2 (Photoshop 5.5 and newer). By Shirley Kaiser, SKDesigns for WebsiteTips.com. [Updated September, 2007.]
Creating Pixel Sharp Diagonal, 45-degree Scanlines Patterns with Photoshop
This Photoshop tutorial shows how to create a variety of pixel sharp diagonal, 45-degree scanline patterns for use as Photoshop patterns. You can then in turn use these diagonal pixel patterns to add eye-catching textures and visual interest to photos and images, Web page backgrounds, or for whatever graphics projects you need. Lots of screenshot examples along the way. Written so that newbies can easily follow and more advanced Photoshop users can skip past the very basics to see how to create pixel sharp diagonal scanline patterns. Once you learn how to create pixel patterns, you can create Photoshop patterns in an unlimited variety of designs and styles - the possibilities are endless. By Shirley Kaiser, SKDesigns for WebsiteTips.com. [Added September, 2007.]

Photoshop Selection Tools Tutorial Series

Photoshop Selection Tools, Part 1: Selecting with Photoshop's Magic Wand Tool
Learn how to use Adobe Photoshop's fabulous Magic Wand tool to make selections within your images with Part 1 of this Photoshop Selection Tools series. Covers Magic Wand Options, Tolerance, Contiguous, All Layers, Anti-aliased. Also includes how to troubleshoot - what to do if the Magic Wand doesn't select exactly as you have in mind. Screenshots and detailed instructions are included for Photoshop 5.5 and Photoshop CS2. Also works fine with Photoshop CS3. By Shirley Kaiser, SKDesigns for WebsiteTips.com. [Updated March, 2006.]
Photoshop Selection Tools, Part 2: Selecting with Channels
Learn how to use Photoshop channels to make selections. Explains the basics of channels, how to load a new selection to create a selection channel, how to save your new channel, and more. Lots of screenshots along the way with this detailed Photoshop tutorial. Screenshots and detailed instructions are included for Photoshop 5.5 and Photoshop CS2. Also works fine with Photoshop CS3. By Shirley Kaiser, SKDesigns for WebsiteTips.com. [Updated March, 2006.]
Photoshop Selection Tools, Part 3: Selecting with Photoshop's Lasso and Polygonal Lasso Tools - Creating a Triangle
Part 3 of this Photoshop Selection Tools series explains what the Lasso Polygonal Tools are and how they work to create freehand and straight edge selections. Covers Lass Options, such as Feathering and Anti-aliased, then how to use the Polygonal Lasso tool's straight edge selection feature to create a triangle shape, how to fill the triangle with color, how to use Stroke to outline your shape, and more. Also provides tips on what to do when you make a mistake with selecting. Updated for Photoshop CS2, you'll find instructions and screenshots for both Photoshop CS2 and Photoshop 5.5. Also works with Photoshop CS3. By Shirley Kaiser, SKDesigns for WebsiteTips.com. [Updated March, 2006.]