2. Photo Manipulation
How to Use the Lasso Tool
The lasso tools in Photoshop are used to select a section of a photo. This
enables you to separate a section of a photo from its background and vice
versa. In this example, the subject of a photograph will be selected and
removed from its background.
Open Adobe Photoshop CS3.
Open Your Photo
1. Select open option. From the Menu Bar, click:
File > Open
2. Locate photo. Locate your photo with the dialog box that appears.
3. Open photo. Click Open in the lower right hand corner.
Cutting Out Part of the Photo
To remove a portion of the photo you will want to use one of the Lasso
Tools (there are three different types, which are explained in the Toolbar
and Tool Options section of Adobe Photoshop Basics). When attempting to
remove a complex shape, such as a person or animal, you will want to use
the Magnetic Lasso Tool. Here we will remove this dog from the
background (Figure 1).
1. Select Lasso Tool. Select the Magnetic Lasso Tool from the Toolbar
on the left.
2. Begin outline. Place the end of the Magnetic Lasso Tool where you
wish to begin to outline the item to be removed.
Student Technology Center Adobe Photoshop CS3: Beyond the Basics
3. 3. Outline item. Click the mouse once and outline the item with the
cursor. (In this case, the item is a dog. See Figure 1.)
The software will try to make the tool become “magnetic” toward the
object in order to outline it, but is often incorrect. You are able to correct
the software’s line until it places a small square in the outline’s path. You may
also help the software by redirecting the line and clicking the mouse when
the line is in the correct place. Do this until your item is completely outlined.
4. Close outline path. Close the outline path by ending the outline at the
same point at which you began. Do this by bringing the lasso tool back to
the primary point, waiting for an open circle to appear next to the tool,
and clicking the mouse.
Add a Portion of the Outlined Area
To add a portion of the photo to the area you just outlined, use the following
technique:
1. Select lasso tool. Select the Lasso Tool (or any of the Lasso Tools).
2. Hold shift key. Hold down the Shift key.
3. Outline area. Outline the area you would like added to the selection.
Subtract a Portion of the Outlined Area
To subtract a portion of the photo from the area you just outlined, use the
following technique:
Figure 1. Image outlined with lasso tool.
1. Select lasso tool. Select the Lasso Tool (or any of the Lasso Tools).
Student Technology Center Adobe Photoshop CS3: Beyond the Basics
4. 2. Hold alt key. Hold down the Alt key.
3. Outline area. Outline the area you would like subtracted from the
selection.
Using the Photo Cutout
Figure 2. Layer via copy.
Now that the desired area is selected, you can do one of the following:
• Copy and paste. Copy and paste the selected image into another
document.
• Create a Layer via Copy. Remove the selection from its original photo by
placing the selection on another layer (Layer via Copy) and continue
working in the same document.
1. Select Layer via Copy. From the Menu bar:
Click Layer > New > Layer via Copy (Figure 2).
The Layers Panel will now have two layers: one labeled “Background”
and another labeled “Layer 1” containing your photo cutout (bottom right
of Figure 3).
Saving the Photo Cutout
If you deselect the eye icon next to the Background layer in the Layers
Panel or delete the Background layer altogether, you can save the image as
only the photo cutout. Saving the image as a jpeg will produce a white square
around your image when displayed. To eliminate this white square, save the
file as a PNG.
Saving the Photo Cutout as a PNG
1. Select Save As. From the Menu bar: Figure 3. Finished lasso cutout.
File > Save As. . .
Student Technology Center Adobe Photoshop CS3: Beyond the Basics
5. 2. Select Format. Click in the Format box.
3. Select PNG. Choose PNG. If the saving destination and name are
correct, click Save.
How to Apply Filters
A filter is used in Photoshop to apply effects, a certain appearance style, or
to retouch photos. They can be applied to an entire photo or just a selected
portion.
Figure 4. Filter options.
Apply Filter
1. Open filter menu. From the Menu bar, select:
Filter
2. Browse filter options. Scroll down the filter menu to see the different
filter options. Each of these filters will give your image a different look
(Figure 6 shows some examples).
3. Select filter. Select one of the filters listed from the word “Artistic”
down to the word “Other” (Figure 4).
If you choose any filter type under Artistic, Brush Strokes, Distort,
Sketch, Stylize or Texture, an adjustment box like the one shown in
Figure 5 will appear.
Figure 5. Filter adjustment box.
4. Adjust filter values. Using the slider selectors, adjust the filter values to Figure 6. Filter examples
your liking. (crosshatch and halftone pattern).
5. Click OK.
Student Technology Center Adobe Photoshop CS3: Beyond the Basics
6. How to Add Adjustment Layers
Adjustment layers give you the ability to create a gradient, change
hue/saturation, brightness/contrast, etc. without applying the changes
directly to the photo you are editing. This way, you can adjust the photo and
delete the adjustment if you change your mind later.
Add the Adjustment Layer
1. Open adjustment layer menu. In the Menu bar, select:
Layer > New Adjustment Layer (Figure 7).
2. Select adjustment layer type. Select one of the adjustment layer types.
Figure 7. New Adjustment Layer
3. Name layer. It will ask you to name the layer (shown in Figure 8).
Naming the layer is optional.
4. Click OK.
5. Adjust layer values. Another box will appear asking you to adjust the
layer. Using the slide selectors, adjust the adjustment layer values to your
liking (Figure 8).
6. Click OK.
Your photo adjustment will now be on a separate layer from your actual
photo and can be deleted or hidden if desired.
Figure 8. Name the new adjustment layer and set its values.
Student Technology Center Adobe Photoshop CS3: Beyond the Basics
7. Text Manipulation
How to Warp Text
Warping text allows you to add effects to your text. It allows your text to
take on different shapes, such as an arch, wave, or flag.
Add Text
1. Select type tool. In the toolbar on the left, select the Type Tool.
2. Place cursor. Place the cursor where you would like your text within
the workspace.
3. Create text box. Click and drag the cursor to create a text box.
4. Type your text. Type your text into the text box.
5. Highlight text. Once your text has been entered, highlight all text that
you would like to warp. (To highlight the text, you can either use the text
tool cursor or double click the square inside the text layer of the Layers
Panel.)
Warp Text
1. Open warp text menu. Click the icon displaying a slanted “T” and an
arch underneath it that is at the top right of the screen (Figure 9).
Figure 9. Warp text dialog box.
2. Choose warp shape. Choose the shape you like from the list.
3. Adjust warp values. Adjust the Bend, Horizontal Distortion, and
Vertical Distortion until you are satisfied.
Student Technology Center Adobe Photoshop CS3: Beyond the Basics
8. 4. Click OK.
Your type has now been warped.
How to Set Text on a Path
Setting text on a path is necessary if you want to have your test create a
certain shape or bend with the path that it follows.
1. Select pen tool. Select the Pen Tool from the toolbar on the left
(Figure 10).
2. Select paths option. On the Options bar at the top of the screen, click
the icon that has a square with a pen tool inside (This is the Paths option
shown in Figure 11). This will enable you to draw a shape with the pen
tool that your text will be able to follow.
3. Draw text path. Draw a path that you would like your text to follow.
4. Select type tool. Select the Type Tool.
5. Place cursor on path. Place the cursor at the beginning of the path you
have drawn. When the slanted line appears, click your mouse.
6. Type your text. Type your text onto the path you have drawn.
Figure 10. Text written on a type path.
Figure 11. Pen tool options panel with Paths option selected.
Student Technology Center Adobe Photoshop CS3: Beyond the Basics
