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Table of Contents
About This Book Conventions Used in This Book How This Book Is Organized Part I: Organizing and Editing Images Part II: Managing Media Part III: Selecting and Correcting Photos Part IV: Exploring Your Inner Artist Part V: Printing, Creating, and Sharing Part VI: The Part of Tens Icons Used in This Book Where to Go from Here
Part I: Organizing and Editing Images Part II: Managing Media Part III: Selecting and Correcting Photos Part IV: Exploring Your Inner Artist Part V: Printing, Creating, and Sharing Part VI: The Part of Tens
Part I: Chapter 1: Getting Your Images Organizing Photos and Media on a Hard Drive Launching Photoshop Elements Adding Images to the Organizer Adding files from folders and removable media Downloading images from your camera with the Elements Downloader Importing additional photos from folders Understanding the Media Browser Viewing images in the Media Browser Adding people in the Media Browser Using a Scanner Understanding image requirements Using scanner plug-ins on Windows Scanning on the Macintosh Scanning many photos at a time Grabbing Photos from iPhoto (Macintosh Only) Phoning In Your Images Part I: Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Editing Work Areas Launching the Photo Editor Examining the Photo Editor Examining the image window Moving through the menu bar Uncovering the contextual menus Using the Tools panel Selecting from the Tool Options Playing with panels Using the Photo Bin Creating images from scratch Using the Quick Mode Using Guided Mode Retracing Your Steps Using the Undo History panel Reverting to the last save Getting a Helping Hand Part I: Chapter 3: Getting Ready to Edit Controlling the Editing Environment Launching and navigating preferences Checking out all the preferences panes Controlling the Organizer Environment Navigating Organizer preferences Setting preferences in all the panes Customizing Presets Getting Familiar with Color Getting Color Right Color the easy way Calibrating your monitor Choosing a color workspace Understanding how profiles work Part I: Chapter 4: Working with Resolutions, Color Modes, and File Formats Grappling with the Ubiquitous Pixels Understanding resolution Understanding image dimensions The Art of Resampling Changing image size and resolution Understanding the results of resampling Choosing a Resolution for Print or Onscreen Go Ahead — Make My Mode! Converting to Bitmap mode Converting to Grayscale mode Converting to Indexed Color mode Saving Files with Purpose Using the Save/Save As dialog box Saving files for the web Understanding file formats File formats at a glance Audio and video formats supported in Elements
Organizing Photos and Media on a Hard Drive Launching Photoshop Elements Adding Images to the Organizer Adding files from folders and removable media Downloading images from your camera with the Elements Downloader Importing additional photos from folders Understanding the Media Browser Viewing images in the Media Browser Adding people in the Media Browser Using a Scanner Understanding image requirements Using scanner plug-ins on Windows Scanning on the Macintosh Scanning many photos at a time Grabbing Photos from iPhoto (Macintosh Only) Phoning In Your Images
Adding files from folders and removable media Downloading images from your camera with the Elements Downloader Importing additional photos from folders
Viewing images in the Media Browser Adding people in the Media Browser
Understanding image requirements Using scanner plug-ins on Windows Scanning on the Macintosh Scanning many photos at a time
Launching the Photo Editor Examining the Photo Editor Examining the image window Moving through the menu bar Uncovering the contextual menus Using the Tools panel Selecting from the Tool Options Playing with panels Using the Photo Bin Creating images from scratch Using the Quick Mode Using Guided Mode Retracing Your Steps Using the Undo History panel Reverting to the last save Getting a Helping Hand
Examining the image window Moving through the menu bar Uncovering the contextual menus Using the Tools panel Selecting from the Tool Options Playing with panels Using the Photo Bin Creating images from scratch
Using the Undo History panel Reverting to the last save
Controlling the Editing Environment Launching and navigating preferences Checking out all the preferences panes Controlling the Organizer Environment Navigating Organizer preferences Setting preferences in all the panes Customizing Presets Getting Familiar with Color Getting Color Right Color the easy way Calibrating your monitor Choosing a color workspace Understanding how profiles work
Launching and navigating preferences Checking out all the preferences panes
Navigating Organizer preferences Setting preferences in all the panes
Color the easy way Calibrating your monitor Choosing a color workspace Understanding how profiles work
Grappling with the Ubiquitous Pixels Understanding resolution Understanding image dimensions The Art of Resampling Changing image size and resolution Understanding the results of resampling Choosing a Resolution for Print or Onscreen Go Ahead — Make My Mode! Converting to Bitmap mode Converting to Grayscale mode Converting to Indexed Color mode Saving Files with Purpose Using the Save/Save As dialog box Saving files for the web Understanding file formats File formats at a glance Audio and video formats supported in Elements
Understanding resolution Understanding image dimensions
Changing image size and resolution Understanding the results of resampling
Converting to Bitmap mode Converting to Grayscale mode Converting to Indexed Color mode
Using the Save/Save As dialog box Saving files for the web Understanding file formats File formats at a glance Audio and video formats supported in Elements
Part II: Chapter 5: Tagging Photos and Creating Albums Touring the Organizer Window Organizing Groups of Images with Keyword Tags Creating and viewing a keyword tag Adding icons to keyword tags Working with custom keyword tags Working with default keyword tags Working with keyword tag sub-categories Creating Albums Rating images Adding rated files to an album Editing an album Exploring album benefits Creating a Smart Album Part II: Chapter 6: Viewing and Finding Your Images Cataloging Files Using the Catalog Manager Working with catalogs Backing up your catalog Backing up photos and files (Windows) Backing up photos on a second hard drive The Many Faces of the Organizer Using the View menu Viewing photos in a slideshow (Full Screen view) Comparing the Organizer on Windows and the Macintosh Placing Pictures on Maps Working with Events Using Search Options Using Advanced Search Options Searching by date Searching for untagged items Searching captions and notes Searching by history Searching metadata Searching similarities Grouping Files That Get in the Way Marking files as hidden Stacking ’em up Creating versions
Touring the Organizer Window Organizing Groups of Images with Keyword Tags Creating and viewing a keyword tag Adding icons to keyword tags Working with custom keyword tags Working with default keyword tags Working with keyword tag sub-categories Creating Albums Rating images Adding rated files to an album Editing an album Exploring album benefits Creating a Smart Album
Creating and viewing a keyword tag Adding icons to keyword tags Working with custom keyword tags Working with default keyword tags Working with keyword tag sub-categories
Rating images Adding rated files to an album Editing an album Exploring album benefits
Cataloging Files Using the Catalog Manager Working with catalogs Backing up your catalog Backing up photos and files (Windows) Backing up photos on a second hard drive The Many Faces of the Organizer Using the View menu Viewing photos in a slideshow (Full Screen view) Comparing the Organizer on Windows and the Macintosh Placing Pictures on Maps Working with Events Using Search Options Using Advanced Search Options Searching by date Searching for untagged items Searching captions and notes Searching by history Searching metadata Searching similarities Grouping Files That Get in the Way Marking files as hidden Stacking ’em up Creating versions
Using the Catalog Manager Working with catalogs Backing up your catalog Backing up photos and files (Windows) Backing up photos on a second hard drive
Using the View menu Viewing photos in a slideshow (Full Screen view) Comparing the Organizer on Windows and the Macintosh
Using Advanced Search Options Searching by date Searching for untagged items Searching captions and notes Searching by history Searching metadata Searching similarities
Marking files as hidden Stacking ’em up Creating versions
Part III: Chapter 7: Making and Modifying Selections Defining Selections Creating Rectangular and Elliptical Selections Perfecting squares and circles with Shift and Alt or Option Applying Marquee options Making Freeform Selections with the Lasso Tools Selecting with the Lasso tool Getting straight with the Polygonal Lasso tool Snapping with the Magnetic Lasso tool Working Wizardry with the Magic Wand Talking about Tolerance Wielding the Wand to select Modifying Your Selections Adding to a selection Subtracting from a selection Intersecting two selections Avoiding key collisions Painting with the Selection Brush Painting with the Quick Selection Tool Resizing Smartly with the Recompose Tool Working with the Cookie Cutter Tool Eliminating with the Eraser Tools The Eraser tool The Background Eraser tool The Magic Eraser tool Using the Magic Extractor Command Using the Select Menu Selecting all or nothing Reselecting a selection Inversing a selection Feathering a selection Refining the edges of a selection Using the Modify commands Applying the Grow and Similar commands Saving and loading selections Part III: Chapter 8: Working with Layers Getting to Know Layers Anatomy of the Layers panel Using the Layer and Select menus Working with Different Layer Types Image layers Adjustment layers Fill layers Shape layers Type layers Tackling Layer Basics Creating a new layer from scratch Using Layer via Copy and Layer via Cut Duplicating layers Dragging and dropping layers Using the Paste into Selection command Moving a Layer’s Content Transforming Layers Adding Layer Masks Flattening and Merging Layers Flattening layers Merging layers Part III: Chapter 9: Simple Image Makeovers Cropping and Straightening Images Cutting away with the Crop tool Cropping with a selection border Straightening images Recomposing Images Employing One-Step Auto Fixes Auto Smart Fix Auto Levels Auto Contrast Auto Color Correction Auto Sharpen Auto Red Eye Fix Editing in Quick Mode Fixing Small Imperfections with Tools Cloning with the Clone Stamp tool Retouching with the Healing Brush Zeroing in with the Spot Healing Brush Lightening and darkening with Dodge and Burn tools Smudging away rough spots Softening with the Blur tool Focusing with the Sharpen tool Sponging color on and off Replacing one color with another Part III: Chapter 10: Correcting Contrast, Color, and Clarity Editing Your Photos Using a Logical Workflow Adjusting Lighting Fixing lighting with Shadows/Highlights Using Brightness/Contrast Pinpointing proper contrast with Levels Adjusting Color Removing color casts automatically Adjusting with Hue/Saturation Eliminating color with Remove Color Switching colors with Replace Color Correcting with Color Curves Adjusting skin tones Defringing layers Correcting with Color Variations Adjusting color temperature with photo filters Mapping your colors Adjusting Clarity Removing noise, artifacts, dust, and scratches Blurring when you need to Sharpening for better focus Working Intelligently with the Smart Brush Tools
Defining Selections Creating Rectangular and Elliptical Selections Perfecting squares and circles with Shift and Alt or Option Applying Marquee options Making Freeform Selections with the Lasso Tools Selecting with the Lasso tool Getting straight with the Polygonal Lasso tool Snapping with the Magnetic Lasso tool Working Wizardry with the Magic Wand Talking about Tolerance Wielding the Wand to select Modifying Your Selections Adding to a selection Subtracting from a selection Intersecting two selections Avoiding key collisions Painting with the Selection Brush Painting with the Quick Selection Tool Resizing Smartly with the Recompose Tool Working with the Cookie Cutter Tool Eliminating with the Eraser Tools The Eraser tool The Background Eraser tool The Magic Eraser tool Using the Magic Extractor Command Using the Select Menu Selecting all or nothing Reselecting a selection Inversing a selection Feathering a selection Refining the edges of a selection Using the Modify commands Applying the Grow and Similar commands Saving and loading selections
Perfecting squares and circles with Shift and Alt or Option Applying Marquee options
Selecting with the Lasso tool Getting straight with the Polygonal Lasso tool Snapping with the Magnetic Lasso tool
Talking about Tolerance Wielding the Wand to select
Adding to a selection Subtracting from a selection Intersecting two selections Avoiding key collisions
The Eraser tool The Background Eraser tool The Magic Eraser tool
Selecting all or nothing Reselecting a selection Inversing a selection Feathering a selection Refining the edges of a selection Using the Modify commands Applying the Grow and Similar commands Saving and loading selections
Getting to Know Layers Anatomy of the Layers panel Using the Layer and Select menus Working with Different Layer Types Image layers Adjustment layers Fill layers Shape layers Type layers Tackling Layer Basics Creating a new layer from scratch Using Layer via Copy and Layer via Cut Duplicating layers Dragging and dropping layers Using the Paste into Selection command Moving a Layer’s Content Transforming Layers Adding Layer Masks Flattening and Merging Layers Flattening layers Merging layers
Anatomy of the Layers panel Using the Layer and Select menus
Image layers Adjustment layers Fill layers Shape layers Type layers
Creating a new layer from scratch Using Layer via Copy and Layer via Cut Duplicating layers Dragging and dropping layers Using the Paste into Selection command
Flattening layers Merging layers
Cropping and Straightening Images Cutting away with the Crop tool Cropping with a selection border Straightening images Recomposing Images Employing One-Step Auto Fixes Auto Smart Fix Auto Levels Auto Contrast Auto Color Correction Auto Sharpen Auto Red Eye Fix Editing in Quick Mode Fixing Small Imperfections with Tools Cloning with the Clone Stamp tool Retouching with the Healing Brush Zeroing in with the Spot Healing Brush Lightening and darkening with Dodge and Burn tools Smudging away rough spots Softening with the Blur tool Focusing with the Sharpen tool Sponging color on and off Replacing one color with another
Cutting away with the Crop tool Cropping with a selection border Straightening images
Auto Smart Fix Auto Levels Auto Contrast Auto Color Correction Auto Sharpen Auto Red Eye Fix
Cloning with the Clone Stamp tool Retouching with the Healing Brush Zeroing in with the Spot Healing Brush Lightening and darkening with Dodge and Burn tools Smudging away rough spots Softening with the Blur tool Focusing with the Sharpen tool Sponging color on and off Replacing one color with another
Editing Your Photos Using a Logical Workflow Adjusting Lighting Fixing lighting with Shadows/Highlights Using Brightness/Contrast Pinpointing proper contrast with Levels Adjusting Color Removing color casts automatically Adjusting with Hue/Saturation Eliminating color with Remove Color Switching colors with Replace Color Correcting with Color Curves Adjusting skin tones Defringing layers Correcting with Color Variations Adjusting color temperature with photo filters Mapping your colors Adjusting Clarity Removing noise, artifacts, dust, and scratches Blurring when you need to Sharpening for better focus Working Intelligently with the Smart Brush Tools
Fixing lighting with Shadows/Highlights Using Brightness/Contrast Pinpointing proper contrast with Levels
Removing color casts automatically Adjusting with Hue/Saturation Eliminating color with Remove Color Switching colors with Replace Color Correcting with Color Curves Adjusting skin tones Defringing layers Correcting with Color Variations Adjusting color temperature with photo filters Mapping your colors
Removing noise, artifacts, dust, and scratches Blurring when you need to Sharpening for better focus
Part IV: Chapter 11: Playing with Filters, Effects, Styles, and More Having Fun with Filters Applying filters Corrective or destructive filters One-step or multistep filters Fading a filter Selectively applying a filter Working in the Filter Gallery Distorting with the Liquify filter Correcting Camera Distortion Exploring New Filters Creating a comic Getting graphic Using the Pen and Ink filter Dressing Up with Photo and Text Effects Adding Shadows, Glows, and More Applying layer styles Working with layer styles Mixing It Up with Blend Modes General blend modes Darken blend modes Lighten blend modes Lighting blend modes Inverter blend modes HSL blend modes Using Photomerge Photomerge Panorama Photomerge Group Shot Photomerge Scene Cleaner Photomerge Exposure Photomerge Style Match Part IV: Chapter 12: Drawing and Painting Choosing Color Working with the Color Picker Dipping into the Color Swatches panel Sampling with the Eyedropper tool Getting Artsy with the Pencil and Brush Tools Drawing with the Pencil tool Painting with the Brush tool Creating your own brush Using the Impressionist Brush Filling and Outlining Selections Fill ’er up Outlining with the Stroke command Splashing On Color with the Paint Bucket Tool Working with Multicolored Gradients Applying a preset gradient Customizing gradients Working with Patterns Applying a preset pattern Creating a new pattern Creating Shapes of All Sorts Drawing a shape Drawing multiple shapes Specifying Geometry options Editing shapes Part IV: Chapter 13: Working with Type Understanding Type Basics Tools Modes Formats Creating Point Type Creating Paragraph Type Creating Path Type Using the Text On Selection tool Using the Text On Shape tool Using the Text On Custom Path tool Specifying Type Options Editing Text Simplifying Type Masking with Type Stylizing and Warping Type Adjusting type opacity Applying filters to your type Painting your type with color and gradients Warping your type
Having Fun with Filters Applying filters Corrective or destructive filters One-step or multistep filters Fading a filter Selectively applying a filter Working in the Filter Gallery Distorting with the Liquify filter Correcting Camera Distortion Exploring New Filters Creating a comic Getting graphic Using the Pen and Ink filter Dressing Up with Photo and Text Effects Adding Shadows, Glows, and More Applying layer styles Working with layer styles Mixing It Up with Blend Modes General blend modes Darken blend modes Lighten blend modes Lighting blend modes Inverter blend modes HSL blend modes Using Photomerge Photomerge Panorama Photomerge Group Shot Photomerge Scene Cleaner Photomerge Exposure Photomerge Style Match
Applying filters Corrective or destructive filters One-step or multistep filters Fading a filter Selectively applying a filter Working in the Filter Gallery Distorting with the Liquify filter
Creating a comic Getting graphic Using the Pen and Ink filter
Applying layer styles Working with layer styles
General blend modes Darken blend modes Lighten blend modes Lighting blend modes Inverter blend modes HSL blend modes
Photomerge Panorama Photomerge Group Shot Photomerge Scene Cleaner Photomerge Exposure Photomerge Style Match
Choosing Color Working with the Color Picker Dipping into the Color Swatches panel Sampling with the Eyedropper tool Getting Artsy with the Pencil and Brush Tools Drawing with the Pencil tool Painting with the Brush tool Creating your own brush Using the Impressionist Brush Filling and Outlining Selections Fill ’er up Outlining with the Stroke command Splashing On Color with the Paint Bucket Tool Working with Multicolored Gradients Applying a preset gradient Customizing gradients Working with Patterns Applying a preset pattern Creating a new pattern Creating Shapes of All Sorts Drawing a shape Drawing multiple shapes Specifying Geometry options Editing shapes
Working with the Color Picker Dipping into the Color Swatches panel Sampling with the Eyedropper tool
Drawing with the Pencil tool Painting with the Brush tool Creating your own brush Using the Impressionist Brush
Fill ’er up Outlining with the Stroke command
Applying a preset gradient Customizing gradients
Applying a preset pattern Creating a new pattern
Drawing a shape Drawing multiple shapes Specifying Geometry options Editing shapes
Understanding Type Basics Tools Modes Formats Creating Point Type Creating Paragraph Type Creating Path Type Using the Text On Selection tool Using the Text On Shape tool Using the Text On Custom Path tool Specifying Type Options Editing Text Simplifying Type Masking with Type Stylizing and Warping Type Adjusting type opacity Applying filters to your type Painting your type with color and gradients Warping your type
Tools Modes Formats
Using the Text On Selection tool Using the Text On Shape tool Using the Text On Custom Path tool
Adjusting type opacity Applying filters to your type Painting your type with color and gradients Warping your type
Part V: Chapter 14: Getting It on Paper Getting Pictures Ready for Printing Working with Color Printer Profiles Printing a photo with the printer managing color Printing a photo with Elements managing color Getting Familiar with the Print Dialog Box Using Page Setup Using More Options Exploring Other Print Options Part V: Chapter 15: Sharing Your Work Getting Familiar with the Elements Sharing Options Planning ahead Understanding Adobe Revel Understanding some common setup attributes Creating an Online Photo Album Understanding export options Exporting to Photoshop Showcase Using Photoshop Showcase Viewing Photoshop Showcase galleries E-Mailing Photos Working with Adobe Premiere Elements Sharing Your Photos on Social Networks Sharing photos on Flickr and Facebook Using other online services Part V: Chapter 16: Making Creations Getting a Grip on Creations Grasping Creation-Assembly Basics Creating a Slide Show (Windows Only) Creating a Slide Show project (Windows) Exporting to slides and video Making Additional Creations
Getting Pictures Ready for Printing Working with Color Printer Profiles Printing a photo with the printer managing color Printing a photo with Elements managing color Getting Familiar with the Print Dialog Box Using Page Setup Using More Options Exploring Other Print Options
Printing a photo with the printer managing color Printing a photo with Elements managing color
Using Page Setup Using More Options
Getting Familiar with the Elements Sharing Options Planning ahead Understanding Adobe Revel Understanding some common setup attributes Creating an Online Photo Album Understanding export options Exporting to Photoshop Showcase Using Photoshop Showcase Viewing Photoshop Showcase galleries E-Mailing Photos Working with Adobe Premiere Elements Sharing Your Photos on Social Networks Sharing photos on Flickr and Facebook Using other online services
Planning ahead Understanding Adobe Revel Understanding some common setup attributes
Understanding export options Exporting to Photoshop Showcase Using Photoshop Showcase Viewing Photoshop Showcase galleries
Sharing photos on Flickr and Facebook Using other online services
Getting a Grip on Creations Grasping Creation-Assembly Basics Creating a Slide Show (Windows Only) Creating a Slide Show project (Windows) Exporting to slides and video Making Additional Creations
Creating a Slide Show project (Windows) Exporting to slides and video
Part VI: Chapter 17: Ten Tips for Composing Better Photos Find a Focal Point Use the Rule of Thirds Cut the Clutter Frame Your Shot Employ Contrast Use Leading Lines Experiment with Viewpoints Use Light Give Direction Consider Direction of Movement Part VI: Chapter 18: Ten More Project Ideas Screen Savers Flyers, Ads, and Online Auctions Clothes, Hats, and More Posters Household and Business Inventories Project Documentation School Reports and Projects Blogs Wait — There’s More Cheat Sheet
Find a Focal Point Use the Rule of Thirds Cut the Clutter Frame Your Shot Employ Contrast Use Leading Lines Experiment with Viewpoints Use Light Give Direction Consider Direction of Movement
Screen Savers Flyers, Ads, and Online Auctions Clothes, Hats, and More Posters Household and Business Inventories Project Documentation School Reports and Projects Blogs Wait — There’s More Cheat Sheet