10 bad habits to use Photoshop

Photoshop is a very flexible application that uses Photoshop to accomplish the same task in countless ways. It is difficult for Photoshop users to figure out the best way to accomplish a task. In this tutorial, we will share with you 10 of Photoshop bad habits that need to be discarded to help us work more effectively.

　　1. Working on a single layer

Regardless of what you do with Photoshop, it is often recommended that you distribute your work on separate layers rather than piling all the tasks on the background layer. The biggest problem with working on a single layer is that you don't have the flexibility to modify or return. The so-called lossless operation is based on creating new layers for each effect or decoration, and naming them separately, making it easier and more flexible in future modifications.

Use separate layers whenever possible to edit

2. Delete rather than hide

This bad habit is also very common in Photoshop users. Deleting part of a layer is a very destructive editing method. To avoid losing image content, consider using the following Photoshop features: masks, vector masks, or clipping masks. The easiest way to do this is to add a mask to the layer to mask part of the layer. The mask can temporarily mask the contents of the layer's selection, which will be visible when the mask is disabled.

Use masks instead of deleting parts of layers

　3. Too many clicks and a lot of wasted time.

Not using shortcuts in Photoshop is as lame as drinking soup with a fork. A real Photoshop user should be a hand with the mouse (if the wacom is a hand pen), and the other hand to operate the keyboard. Here I give you a list of the most useful default shortcuts that should be memorized.

Cmd/ctrl + T-free transform

Cmd/ctrl + enter– confirm the input text

Cmd/ctrl + s– Save document

Cmd/ctrl + a– Full selection

Cmd/ctrl + D-Cancel selection

Cmd/ctrl + i-compact invert color

Cmd/ctrl + Shift + i-compact anti-selection

Cmd/ctrl + click on the layer thumbnail-based on layer Content selection

Cmd/ctrl + option/alt + a– Select all layers

Option/alt + mouse Click between two layers-clipping mask

Cmd/ctrl + g– Layer Group

Cmd/ctrl + Shift + g– Cancel Layer Group

In addition, here is a guide to all Photoshop default shortcut keys based on keyboard distribution (click here to download the HD map).

Use shortcut keys to save time

　4. Transformation position of the tutu layer

Most Photoshop users have heard of how powerful a smart object is, but not every user often uses a smart object. Essentially, when you convert a normal layer into a smart object layer, Photoshop embeds the image into the PSD file and acts as a separate file. It uses embedded source images to render changes to smart objects.

Thanks to Photoshop CS2 introduced this technology so that we can transform the intelligent object to any number of times without destroying the image quality. You may know that by re capturing the bitmap you lose the image quality, and the loss is obvious when you load the picture. This is also why the bitmap is related to resolution.

A smart object does not make a bitmap independent of the resolution, but it captures the state of the image as it transforms. When an image is in the maximum available size and has the highest quality, it is ideal to convert the layer to a smart object. The image quality is lost only when the image size is changed. If you do not convert to a smart object, even the rotation of the image will lose the image quality. In the diagram below, I show you a very interesting experiment that I call the "washing machine effect," which shows what happens when a bitmap is rotated continuously.

The layer is damaged after several times of rotation

　　5. Do not use adjustment layer

Using Photoshop to draw without an adjustment layer is like working on a single layer, which is a big mistake. If you use the Adjust option in the Image menu, these adjustments are applied to the selected layer, so that you can no longer fix their impact. However, if you choose to adjust the layer, because the adjustment layer is completely independent of the image layer, so you can control the opacity, blending mode and settings. It should be borne in mind that an adjustment layer affects all layers associated with it.

Curve adjustment layer to set white balance

　　6. Non-organized, disordered layers

As a user of Photoshop, you need to have good organizational skills. With separate layers, you should also learn to properly name and organize all layers. This may seem a bit of a waste of time, but please be assured that this will save you a lot of time for your future work. Especially in the team work, PSD files need to share with others, it is particularly important.

Organize your layers

　　7. Using filters in a destructive manner

The Photoshop filter, when used as a smart filter, is lossless to the image layer. When you use a smart filter on a layer, you can easily turn it on or off to optimize its settings, opacity, and blending mode. You can also add multiple filters on the same smart object, or you can use smart filter masks to hide or show the effects of filters on image layers.

When you apply a filter, use a Smart object

　　8. Lack of navigational skills

Many Photoshop users click, drag horizontal and vertical scroll bars without empty SPACEBAR access to the hand tool to translate the image. Here are a few shortcuts that you need to master to quickly navigate in Photoshop documents.

· Space-hand Tool

· Z + drag around-zoom in and zoom out

· Hold H + click – aerial view

· Cmd/control + 0– for screen size

· Cmd/control + Actual Size

Aerial view: For viewing the entire canvas at any time

9. Do not use Bridge

Another waste of time is not using Photoshop for local file management applications: Adobe Bridge. This tool has been available since Photoshop CS2, which can help you save a lot of time by organizing and locating images and project files. Many photographers also use bridge to manage their photos, although the use of Lightroom is more recommended for professional photographers.

Photoshop local file management application Adobe Bridge

　　10. Do not save PSD file

Never forget to save your work as a PSD file. Nothing is more annoying than losing a lot of work when the computer crashes. PSD file is your working file, you do not need to provide him to your customers, but you should save the PSD file, so that when the customer needs to modify some content, you can easily respond.

File formats that Photoshop can save

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• PS Getting Started Tutorial