Photoshop Tips
Date unknown · Last updated: 18 December 2006
Fast Font Selections
In Windows, you can use the mouse wheel to quickly change the font of any new text. Firstly make sure the text layer hasn't been simplified. Then make sure you can actively change it by clicking on the "T" (Text) icon. Click as normal on the font drop-down menu arrow to make it the focus. From there the wheel moves you up and down a font, instantly updating the text to use the font currently shown in the menu. Great for quickly checking what fonts look best and trying new ones out.
Finetuning Filters
Some filters only offer a fixed result. To tweak the effect, copy your image first into a new layer. Filter the first layer, and fade the opacity of the unfiltered layer out, until you see enough of the filter showing through.
You can also combine similar effects this way, like the Glass or Ripple filters. With two layers, you have complete control over which effect is shown more, simply by altering the opacity of each layer.
Opacity
Don't bother with the slider using a mouse to change the opacity of a layer. Use the numeric keypad at any time to change opacity very quickly instead. 1 is 10%, 2 is 20% and so on. 0 is 100%.
You can also use the arrow keys after clicking on the arrow next to the opacity readout. Holding down CTRL (PC) and an arrow key alters the opacity one percent at a time, while holding down SHIFT makes it move in 10% increments.
Sharp-edged Lines
In Photoshop Elements 1 you can't turn off the anti-aliasing effect when using the line tool in the Custom Shapes. Use the pencil instead, and place a dot at the start of your line. Move to where the end will be and hold down SHIFT while placing another dot. You will get a sharp-edged line with no anti-aliasing.
