Post by Tom on Apr 10, 2024 16:30:54 GMT -8
For this Creative Effects Challenge I have chosen a recent tutorial from HowToGurus titled
This one is more of the "eat your vegetables" and less of the "Wow! factor" type of tutorial, but it just feels good to learn some things about Photoshop Elements that I didn't know before, and can actually see myself using in a later project!
Georges shows you how to crop an image inside a shape in three different ways (time-stamps for each):
- Using Guided Edit (1:35)
- Using the Crop Tool (5:00)
- Fully manual for complete control (7:50)
Notes about the Guided Edit approach
One detail that tripped me up at first was that I didn't have the top two layers selected before applying the drop-shadow. To do this, click on one of the layers, then CTRL-click the other layer. After that you can move/resize them together, and apply any Styles to them both (drop-shadow, stroke, etc).
Notes about the Crop Tool approach
I have used the Crop Tool many times. It's very straight-forward, draw a rectangular region over the part of an image you want to keep, throw the rest away. I was gobsmacked to find that you don't have to settle for a rectangular region when using the Crop Tool! Using the Cookie Cutter part of the Crop Tool you can draw out a shape over the part of your image you wish to keep and throw the rest away. I don't know how I didn't know this, but well worth the price of the tutorial all by itself!
I have used the Crop Tool many times. It's very straight-forward, draw a rectangular region over the part of an image you want to keep, throw the rest away. I was gobsmacked to find that you don't have to settle for a rectangular region when using the Crop Tool! Using the Cookie Cutter part of the Crop Tool you can draw out a shape over the part of your image you wish to keep and throw the rest away. I don't know how I didn't know this, but well worth the price of the tutorial all by itself!
Notes about the Fully manual approach
This actually applies to all three methods. When you select Graphics and then Backgrounds, the image you select will replace your existing background layer, so if you want to retain a layer with your original background be sure to make a copy of it first (Ctrl+J).
This actually applies to all three methods. When you select Graphics and then Backgrounds, the image you select will replace your existing background layer, so if you want to retain a layer with your original background be sure to make a copy of it first (Ctrl+J).
This tutorial is a great opportunity to get clarity on the various techniques and tools used here, so if you have any questions about any of these methods please just leave a note and it will be answered. (Eat your spinach! it is good for you and will make you stronger!)
