How To Create Graphics In Photoshop

Sometimes the most difficult part is knowing where to start. Have you ever had someone show you just how to do some something. They go click, click, and click - Done! And you're none the wiser; You see everything is easy once you know how. That's my purpose here. It is to help you see it as easy. So let's look at these four steps.

Step 1

To start move your mouse to "File" and click "New". Next you are asked to specify the size of the new graphic. Usually you will already know what size you need as you will be creating a graphic for a particular purpose. Let's say we are going to make a header graphic for a web page. On a sales page the headers are usually about 700 pixels wide by about 120 pixels high.

Second Step: Decide On A Background.

In choosing a background we have 3 options. We can choose a solid color, a gradient, or a picture as the background.

If we decided on a solid color, here's how to go about it. On the left hand side of the page there is a floating tool box. Towards the bottom of this box are two color boxes, one on top of the other. Click on the top box and a new window will appear. Choose the color you want by clicking the mouse on the color and click OK. Then choose the Bucket tool. If you cannot find a bucket tool, move your mouse over each of the tools till you find the gradient tool. Right click and it will reveal 2 tools, choose the bucket tool.

When the bucket tool has been chosen, move the mouse pointer over the new graphic. When the pointer changes to a bucket, left click. Now the new graphic is filled with the color you chose.

If you want to use a gradient as your background, you will need to turn the bucket tool into the gradient tool. From the floating toolbox on the left choose the color. This time you will need to choose a color for both the top and bottom color boxes. The top color is what your gradient will start with and the bottom is the finish color.

On the top bar of the work area you now have a choice of different looking gradients. You will need to experiment with this to get the effect you want. To make the gradient, click and hold the mouse where you want to start and drag it to where you want it to finish.

The third choice of a background is to import a picture. To do this just open a picture file that you wish to use. Make sure this picture is equal or larger in size to the new graphic you are making. With the mouse just drag and drop the picture into the new graphic. Move it around to where you want it and you're done.

This works with JPEG Files but does not work with Gif files.

Step 3 Layers

Photoshop works with layers. Each time you import something or introduce more text you create a new layer. To the right of your work area you should see "Layers". Click on it and now it will display all the layers in the graphic. Clicking on a layer in this box will make it the active layer, and you will be able to work on this layer.

An image can be imported in the same way the background was imported. Just drag and drop it into the new graphic. When you do this you will notice that there is also some unwanted background with the image. This can be removed with the eraser tool.

If the background is mostly one color the :Magic Eraser " will do this with one click. To open the Magic Eraser right click on the eraser and 3 options will appear. After removing any unwanted background, the layer can be moved to wherever it is required. Just pick it up with the mouse and drag it into position.

Step 4: Add Text

Each time you insert new text it creates a new layer. I have found that Photoshop does not always space the lines of text the way I like. To overcome this I create each line in a new layer. This allows me to move each layer where I want so I achieve the look I desire.

On the left hand tool box click the "T". Move the mouse to the area where the text is to go. Click the mouse and start typing. You can choose the font, size and style as in any other Windows program.

Now that your text is in place it can be enhanced and made to stand out. Make sure the text you want to work with is the active layer. On the top bar of the work area is "Layer". Click it and choose "Layer Style". This will open up numerous options. To get an idea of what each of these does just play and experiment with it. As you choose an option it will instantly be seen before you commit it.

With this you have created a simple and professional graphic to use on the web.

Just save it in Photoshop PSD format. This will allow you to come back and change anything you like. To save it as a smaller file suitable for the web, go to "File" and choose "Save For Web & Devices". This will produce an image that will load faster.