Batch Processing

Objectives: To learn how to customize and automate your workflow in Photoshop 7 by using the Batch Processing command to quickly process large groups of images.
Tools & Techniques: Actions, commands, batch processing

In an earlier lesson, you learned how to create your own actions for tasks you repeatedly perform. In this lesson, we'll take it a step further by applying our new action to a batch process.

Batch processing is useful when you have a lot of images that require the same actions to be applied to them. With a couple key strokes you can quickly "process" an entire folder of images.

We'll use the action we created in the Actions lesson but of course you can use your own or just follow along.

Step 1: Getting Started

I have a folder of full sized images that need to be converted to thumbnails. I also want them to have a drop shadow applied to them and have them converted to .gif to use on my website. I've already created my action to process each image, but I surely don't feel like going through each image and applying the action it.

Instead, I'll use the Batch Process command to apply my action to my folder of images.

Step 2: Applying the Settings

1. Start by going to File>Automate>Batch...
2. In the Play option, select which Set contains the action you want to apply. In this example, "CBT Cafe" is the Set I selected.
3. Choose the Action to apply. I only have one in this set and it's called: Thumbnails 75x50 w/drop shadow. If I had more actions in this Set they would be visible from the drop down menu.
4. In the Source option, choose Folder from the drop down menu and then click the Choose... button to navigate to the folder containing your images.
5. For Destination select Folder from the drop down menu. Another option I frequently use for Destination is the None option. By selecting None, Photoshop applies the action to the images but leaves the images open. This is helpful if I want to preview my new images and determine if I need to make any further edits to them. For this example, however, we'll select a folder.
6. After you select the Folder option, click Choose... to select your destination folder. You can select a current folder or you can create a new one. I'll create a new one called Output on my Desktop.
7. The next option, Override Action "Save As" Commands, should be selected if your action contains a "Save As..." or "Save for Web..." command. If your action doesn't contain a "Save As..." command you'll need to keep this option unchecked to save your files. Photoshop will prompt you to save each file when this option is not selected. For my example I'll select the option since I have a "Save for Web..." command in my action.
8. Select a File Naming convention for your images. I generally use lowercase names and select the 2nd option from the drop down menu
9. The last option I typically select is for Errors: Stop For Errors. This is very helpful for debugging your commands.

SOURCE::http://www.cbtcafe.com/photoshop/batch/batch.html

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Creating 3D Effects in Adobe Photoshop

Version: Photoshop 7
Level: Easy
Objectives: Photoshop 7.0 brings new features that produce some stunning effects.
Tools & Techniques: 3D Transform Filter

Step 1: Getting Started

Its simple to use and you can create some realistic three-dimensional effects for print or the web.

1. Create a new file in Photoshop
2. Set the background to Transparent and a size of 400 X 400 pixels.
3. Select 3D Transform filter: Filters > Render > 3D Transform
4. On the left side there are shapes, select the one that looks
   like a box
5. Start creating boxes to fill the whole window with the boxes.

It should look something like the following image:

Step 2: Rotating the Boxes

1. Select the Trackball Tool. This will allow you to rotate the boxes and get their 3D look.
2. Rotate the boxes until you get the shading effect which creates depth
   

Step 3: Customizing the Boxes

1. Click the Options button
2. Set Resolution and Anti-Aliasing to High to eliminate any "jaggies".
   

Now you have some Three-dimensional shapes all done within Photoshop.
Add some color and drop shadows to the boxes and they leap right off of the page.

SOURCE::http://www.cbtcafe.com/photoshop/3dtutorial/page2.html

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Adding Creative Text To Images

With Photoshop 6, you can now add some creative effects to your text. If you've ever used Word Art in MS Word, you'll be very familiar with this type of feature.

Step 1. Begin with a new document or open an image you'd like to apply the text to

Step 2. Using the Type Tool, type out some text

Step 3. While the text is still selected, go up to the Options Bar and select the Warp Text Button

Step 4. The Warp Text dialog box will open

Step 5. From the Style Drop Down menu, choose an effect to apply to your text. In this example, I'll choose Fisheye and adjust the bend by sliding the Bend Slider.

And preview your text

SOURCE::http://www.cbtcafe.com/photoshop/creativetext/index.html

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Flipping and Rotating Images

It may become necessary to flip an image either horizontally or vertically. This is accomplished very easily in Photoshop 6.

Step 1: Getting Started

Begin with an open image you'd like to work with

Step 2: Flipping the Image

Go to Image>Rotate Canvas>Flip Horizontal.

And here's your final image:

SOURCE::http://www.cbtcafe.com/photoshop/flippingimages/flipping.htm

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Rotating Images

Step 1. Begin with an image you'd like to rotate

Step 2. Rotate the Canvas

Go up to Image>Rotate Canvas>90 CW (CW = Clockwise, CCW = Counter Clockwise)

You can also set a specific value in degrees to rotate the image.

Step 3. Specify a value in degrees for the rotation

This time, go to Image>Rotate Canvas>Arbitrary... and input a value to rotate. Then choose CW or CCW.

Step 4. One last way is to use the Rotate Tool and rotate the image freely by dragging in either a CW or CCW direction

1. Go up to Edit>Transform>Rotate. This will put a selection around your image with small selection handles around it.
2. Grab one of the 4 corners and begin dragging to rotate your image.

Step 5. Release when you're satisfied with the position

If you don't like the position, you can repeat step 6 and continue rotating, or you can Undo by clicking Control-Z/Command-Z to go back to the previous step

SOURCE::http://www.cbtcafe.com/photoshop/rotatingimages/rotating.htm

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Enlarging the Canvas

It may become necessary to keep your image the same size but enlarge your canvas to create room to add text or other graphics.

Step 1: Getting Started

Begin by opening an image or graphic

Step 2: Adjusting the Canvas Size

1. Go up to Image>Canvas Size...
2. Input the new size of the canvas you would like
3. It's best to work with pixels as a measurment when working with web graphics

Note: You can change the default settings for all measurements in Photoshop by going to Edit>Preferences>Units and Rulers... and selecting "pixels" for Rulers

Step 4: Adjusting the Canvas Size

1. Specify where to add the additional canvas by clicking one of the Anchor buttons
2. The selected or darkened box indicates where the image will be with respect to the new canvas space. The unselected or lighter boxes represent where the additional canvas will be added. In this example, I added additional canvas space to both the top and bottom of my image as well as to the right of the image. the image will remain flush against the left side of the canvas.

And here's my new image

SOURCE::http://www.cbtcafe.com/photoshop/enlargingcanvas/Index.htm

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Cropping Images

This is a technique you'll use a lot when working with images. It's very simple. Cropping refers to cutting down an image by cutting away unwanted parts. Cropping, unlike Image Resizing, does not affect resolution or quality. It just cuts away parts of the image you don't need or want.

Step 1: Getting Started

Open an image or graphic

Step 2: Selecting the Crop Tool

1. With the Crop Tool selected, Click and Drag over the image.
2. Release when you've selected the part of the image you want to keep. Don't worry about getting it just right, you can always go back and edit it.
3. You will have a dashed line with little squares (selection handles) around the dashed line. This enables you to edit the selection by mousing over them and dragging in either direction to enlarge or decrease your selection.
4. By default, Photoshop 6 will mask out the area that is not part of the selection. You can turn this on or off by going up top to the Options Bar and selecting/deselecting Shield Cropped Area.
5. To rotate move your cursor over one of the 4 corners until you see it change into a double sided arrow.

To move the selection, simply move your cursor inside the selection until you see the solid arrow and then click and drag to reposition.

To crop the selection, double-click inside the selection or click the Check Mark Button up top in the Options Bar.

SOURCE::http://www.cbtcafe.com/photoshop/cropping/cropping.html

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Resizing Images In Photoshop

Step 1. Open the image you want to resize

Step 2. Adjust the image's size by going up to Image>Image Size...

Step 3. Check the image resolution.

Be sure your Resolution is set to 72 if you're outputting your image for the web. Your image will be much too large for the web if it's set to anything higher. If your Resolution was set to something higher than 72, you will notice that the image will automatically be resized once you change the Resolution to 72 if Resample Image is selected.

To adjust the Resolution of your image without affecting the image size, uncheck the Resample Image option.

Resolution refers to how many dots per inch (DPI) or pixels per inch (PPI). Web Resolutions are always set to 72 since that is the maximum your computer monitor can display. Print values for Resolution range from 150 and greater.

Another reason not to use higher Resolutions than 72 for the web is file size. An image with a Resolution set to say 300 has about 4 times as much information in it. This is important for print media because of the level of detail needed to produce an acceptable print, however, that same image would be much too large of a download for someone to wait for. And since the majority of people on the Internet are using 56k modems, you need to design your images for that audience.

Step 4. When the Image Size dialog box opens, you can input the new sizes you want for your image. Be sure to have Constrain Proportions selected. This will ensure the ratio of height to width are maintained and will prevent your image from being distorted or unevenly resized.

SOURCE::http://www.cbtcafe.com/photoshop/imageresizing/imageresizing.htm

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Pill Shape

Photoshop 6 has introduced Shape Tools and creating some basic shapes like Rectangles and Pill Shapes has become a whole lot easier.

Step 1: Getting Started

Create a New Layer and select the Rounded Rectangle Shape

Step 2: Creating the Pill Shape

1. Select the Rounded Rectangle Shape.
2. In the Options Bar select the Create Filled Regions icon.
3. In the Options Bar set the Radius to 30-40.
4. Draw out the Pill Shape.

Step 3: Applying a Style

1. Add one of Photoshop's built in Styles for an even more realistic button effect or navigate to another style set by clicking the black arrow at the top right hand side of the Styles Palette and open the Glass Buttons Styles.
2. You will get a dialog box asking you if you want to Replace the Current Styles with the Glass Buttons Style...You can choose to replace or append them.

Now, just click on the color/style you like and you've created a pretty darn cool button:)

SOURCE::http://www.cbtcafe.com/photoshop/pillshape_2/pillshape.html

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Creating A Custom Brush From An Image

Step 1: Getting Started

Open an image or graphic

Note: whatever size your image is when you make it a brush will be the size of the brush. For example, if you take an image 30x30, your custom brush will be that size. If you need more than one size for your new brush, you'll have to repeat the steps to create a new brush for each size you desire.

Here's the image I opened, then scaled down using the Image>Image Size...

Step 2: Defining the Image as a Brush

1. Once you have your image sized the way you like, go to Edit>Define Brush...
2. A dialog box will pop up and you can enter a Name for the brush

Step 3: Appling your Custom Brush

1. Select it by clicking the brush icon in the Toolbar
2. Go up to the Brush Options menu and clicking the drop down arrow.
3. Scroll down until you see the brush you created. Generally, it will be the last brush in the drop down palette.
4. Click it to make that the current brush

Step 4: Painting with the New Brush

You can now paint with the new brush the same as you would any other brush.

Step 5: Adjusting the Brush's Spacing

You can also adjust the spacing on the brush just like you can on regular brushes.

Here are some examples of different spacing settings:

Step 6: Adjusting the Opacity

Opacity is another option you can apply to the brush

1. With the newly created brush selected, go over to the Opacity Slider and click the black arrow to open up the slider menu.
2. Now you can drag it to adjust the settings. You can also enter a number in manually in the Opacity field.

Step 7: Changing the Color

You can also change the color of the brush the same as a regular brush.

1. Select the Brush
2. Select a Foreground Color

Step 8: Accessing Photoshop's Preset Brushes

You can access more brushes by clicking the black arrow under the brush options menu and selecting Load Brushes from the menu

SOURCE::http://www.cbtcafe.com/photoshop/custombrush2/custombrush3.html

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