ICT

Photoshop Document (.psd)

Default file format for Photoshop; supports layers and full editing.

Layers

Transparent sheets that hold images, text, or graphics; managed in the Layers pane.

Selections

Defined areas in an image that can be edited; apply only to the active layer.

Resolution

Number of pixels in an image; high-res can be converted to low-res but not vice versa.

Image Size

Total dimensions in pixels; different from resolution.

Color Mode

CMYK (Print: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)

RGB (Web: Red, Green, Blue)

GIMP

Free, cross-platform editor.

IrfanView

Lightweight viewer/editor

Paint.NET

Windows editor with layers & effects.

PhotoFiltre

Retouching with filters.

Adobe Photoshop

Industry-standard raster graphics editor.

Photoshop Overview

Primarily for image editing, not original design (use Illustrator for design).

Panes

Show info (location, history, tools).

Menu Bar

Contains main commands/options.

Toolbar

Selection, cropping, retouching, text, and shape tools.

Options Bar

Displays settings for active tools.

Launching Photoshop

Open Photoshop from the Start Menu → Click New Set resolution & DPI.

Opening a PSD File

File > New → Set name, size, resolution, background (white, color, transparent).

Saving a PSD

File > Save As Choose location & name the file. Select PSD format to preserve layers.