Beginners' Guide to Adobe Photoshop – Page 4 of 4
Blending Options & Special Effects

10 – Adding Effects

Now that you know the basics, it's time to start adding some easy special effects.

To demonstrate Adobe Photoshop's special effects, here's an unembellished button for a website.

Each part of this image is on a separate layer.

11 – Key Adobe Photoshop Blending Options

In the Layers list, right-click on a layer, and select Blending Options.

This is a picture of the left-hand portion of the Blending Options window that will appear. (This image is from an older version of Photoshop, but it looks very similar in newer versions.)

Drop Shadow - Selecting this option will make your layer cast a shadow on layers below it.

Bevel and Emboss - Makes the layer like a block of gold bullion - raised in the centre, with edges that slope down. (This is a good effect for creating buttons.)

Texture - Makes the surface of the layer look like it's made of wood, stone etc. Use the "Overlay" setting.

Stroke - Stroke is just another word for "outline". A Stroke is useful to make an object stand out from its background.

12 – The end result

Other than using some of the Blending Options, nothing else has been done to this button.

It's really that easy.

A final few Adobe Photoshop features

Zoom: Press (Ctrl and +) to zoom in. Press (Ctrl and -) to zoom out. This is very useful if you're a bit of a pixel pirate :)

Transformation: To Transform (resize/rotate/distort) an object, press Ctrl+T. To Transform a selection, click Select > Transform Selection. Use the Shift key while transforming to stop the image distorting.

"Special Message"

I hope this tutorial has helped you get the idea of Adobe Photoshop. You can now face the "wall of random icons and palettes" with confidence. :)

Happy Photoshopping!