Photoshop Elements 2 for Windows and Macintosh

Pamela Pfiffnerhas been working with and writing about digital graphic arts since the dawn of desktop publishing in 1984. She has been editor in chief of MacUser and Publish magazines and of creativepro.com, a Web site for creative professionals. She also served as executive producer of ZDTV.com (now TechTV.com), an integrated Web site for the cable television channel. Ms. Pfiffner has a Masters of Journalism from the University of California at Berkeley where she also taught for nine years. Currently she teaches at Portland State University in Oregon. She is the co-author of How Desktop Publishing Works (ZD Press/Macmillan).

Introduction.


1. The Basics.


Understanding the Work Area. Browsing, Opening, and Closing Files. Saving Files. Selecting Tools. Using the Options and Shortcuts Bars. Working with Palettes. Using the Zoom Tool. Moving the View Area. Using the Hints Palette. Selecting Recipes from the How to Palette. Using the Help System.



2. Creating and Managing Images.


Understanding Resolution and Image Size. Creating a New Image. Importing Images from Camera and Scanner. Changing Image Size and Resolution. Getting Information about Your Image. Opening and Arranging Multiple Views. Using Rulers. Setting Up the Grid.



3. Changing and Adjusting Colors.


About Computers and Color Models. Working with Color Modes. Changing Color Modes. Managing Color. About Tonal Correction. Adjusting Levels Automatically. Adjusting Levels Manually. Lighting Your Image. Removing Color Cast. Replacing Color.



Making Selections.


About the Selection Tools. Using the Marquee Tools. Selecting Areas with the Lasso Tools. Using the Selection Brush Tool. Making Selections by Color. Adjusting Selections. Softening the Edges of a Selection. Modifying Selection Borders.



5. Working with Layers.


Understanding Layers. Using the Layers Palette. Layer Basics. Changing the Layer Order. Managing Layers. Merging Layers. Converting and Duplicating Layers. Copying Layers between Images. About Opacity and Blending Modes. Creating Masking Effects with Layer Groups. Applying Effects with Layer Styles. Making Color and Tonal Changes with Adjustment Layers. Using the Undo History Palette.



6. Fixing and Retouching Photos.


Cropping and Image. Straightening and Image. Using the clone Stamp Tool. Applying Patterns. Correcting Red Eye. Sharpening Image Detail. Blending Image Elements with the Smudge Tool. Using the Tonal Adjustment Tools. Removing Color. Adding a Color Tint to an Image.



7. Filters and Effects.


Using the Filters and Effects Palettes. Applying Filters and Effects. Filter Gallery. Effects Gallery. Simulating Action with the Blur Filters. Distorting Images. Creating Lights and Shadows. Using Textures. Creating Your Own Filters.



8. Painting and Drawing.


About Bitmap Images and Vector Graphics. Filling Areas with Color. Filling Areas with a Gradient. Creating and Saving Custom Gradients. Adding a Stroke to a Selection or Layer. Using the Brush Tool. Creating and Saving custom Brushes. Creating Special Painting Effects. Erasing with Customizable Brush Shapes. Erasing Backgrounds and Other Large Areas. Understanding Shapes. Drawing Basic Shapes. Transforming Shapes. Creating Custom Shapes.



9. Working with Type.


Creating and Editing Text. Changing the Look of Your Type. Working with Vertical Text. Anti-aliasing Type. Warping Text. Warping Text Style Gallery. Creating Text Effects with Type Masks. Applying Layer Style to Type. Text Layer Style Gallery.



10. Preparing Images for the Web.


Understanding Image Requirements for the Web. About the Save for Web Dialog Box. Optimizing and Image for the Web. Adjusting Optimization Settings. Making a Web Image Transparent. Previewing an Image. Sending Images by E-mail.



11. Saving and Printing Images.


Understanding File Formats. Setting Preferences for Saving Files. Setting Preferences for Saving Files. Formatting and Saving Multiple Images Automatically. Cataloging Your Images. Creating a Photographer's Picture Package. Setting Up Your Computer for Printing. Preparing an Image for Printing. Setting Additional Printing Options. Printing an Image. Using Online Photo Services.



12. Creative Techniques.


Creating Panoramas. Making Your Own Slideshow. About Web Photo Galleries. Creating Animated GIFs. Compositing Images.



Appendix A: Keyboard Shortcuts.


Index.