One simple CS2 trick

It seems strange that you can't go to File> Open (Ctrl+O), then navigate to the folder with the images you want to open, Ctrl+click multiple files (Cmd+Click on Mac), then either hit the Enter key, or click Open to open the files you've selected. This has been a standard feature not only in Photoshop, but most other programs that are on Windows or the Mac. But seeing as how there are a few responses with 'other' ways to open multiple files, perhaps it's not an isolated case?

The only things I can think of that might cause this issue is either there's something else going on with your system, or you got yourself one of the crippled pirated copies of Photoshop.

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Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Photoshop CS2
http://www.jasonahn.com
 
Color Picker.

Open an image.
Choose the Eye Dropper.

Click inside the image, and while holding the Alt key (Option on Mac) drag the Eye dropper tool anywhere on your monitor to sample any color that's under the Eye dropper.

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Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Photoshop CS2
http://www.jasonahn.com
 
The quickest way to straighten a horizon (or any image where something should be level), is to use the Measure tool (located 'inside' the Eye Dropper).

Choose the Measure Tool (looks like a ruler).

Click and drag a straight line (it only draws straight lines) across the horizon (or something that should be level, but isn't), and let go. It'll leave a +----------------+ type of line.
Go to Image> Rotate Canvas> Arbitrary.

You'll see that the rotation setting is already set to what it needs for the line you just drew to be level.
Click Okay.
Leveled image.

Sometimes you end up having to crop a bit tighter, but that's the case if you had to manually straighten the image, anyway.

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Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Photoshop CS2
http://www.jasonahn.com
 
When you're painting on a Mask (adjustment layer or otherwise), sometimes it's hard to tell where you've painted, and where you haven't. Looking at the little thumbnail doesn't quite do it, either. Even if you're on Mac OS X and use the Zoom option to Zoom into the Layers palette, it's kind of a hassle.

With the Mask thumbnail selected (it'll already be selected if you're painting on it) hit the backslash key (the key above the Enter/Return key, usually) to see a blue or red (I forget what the default color is - I think blue) 'quickmask' type color overlay in the areas that you've painted. So you can make fine adjustments visually.

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Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Photoshop CS2
http://www.jasonahn.com
 
Ctrl+Shift+N (Cmd+Shift+N on Mac) = new layer.

Ctrl+click (Cmd+click on Mac) on the 'new layer' icon at the bottom of the Layers palette = new layer BELOW the selected layer instead of above.

Select an Adjustment Layer mask layer. Ctrl+Alt+G (Cmd+Option+G on Mac)= Clipping Mask = the Adjustment Layer Mask only effects the layer directly below it, and not any layers below that one. Useful if the 'subject' you want to effect is on its own layer. Otherwise, you can just brush away the rest of the mask without clipping it.

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Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Photoshop CS2
http://www.jasonahn.com
 
Ever have to apply the same Layer style (drop shadow/stroke/gradient overlay/bevel and emboss/etc) to multiple layers? So annoying. I used to record temporary actions, so I wouldn't have to go through the process ten times over, remembering the settings. Things have gotten much easier.

To duplicate a layer style, just create a layer style that you want to duplicate (go create a simple drop shadow for this instance).

Then while holding the Alt key (Option on Mac), click the little 'f' circle on the layer with the effect, and drag it to the layer you want.

This works fine for one or two layers, but what if you have ten or twenty that need the same layer style?

To apply the same layer style to multiple layers, set the layer style to the first layer like before.
Right click that layer and choose 'Copy Layer style'.

Now select all the layers you want to apply that layer style to by either holding the Ctrl (Cmd) key and clicking individual layers, or by holding the Shift key, and click the first then last desired layers. It'll select all the layers in between the two.
Then right click on one of those selected layers, and choose Paste Layer Style.

This may or may not be limited to CS2 users (they changed the way layers behave in CS2 from CS).

But I'm sure there's a similar way to play with this. It's been so long since I moved to CS2, I can't recall what CS was even like.
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Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Photoshop CS2
http://www.jasonahn.com
 
This works on a vertical, also. Should there be neither a horizontal or a vertical, you can drag one (a guide line, that is) off the ruler on the side. CS2.

This is a really helpful thread. Thank you all!

Sal
 
Here are some that I use often

ctrl j- duplicate layer or selection in layer
ctrl e- merge linked layers
ctrl a- select all
ctrl c- copy
ctrl v- past
ctrl click layer- makes selection of layer contents
with paint brush selected hold alt to change to eye droper
ctrl t- transform, right click for drop down of all transform options
double click inside photoshop to open files.
m- marquee tool
l- lasso
k- slice
j- healing tool, patch tool, color replace
b- brush, pencil
s- clone stamp tool, pattern stamp
y- history brush, art history
e- eraser, background eraser, magic eraser
g- gradient/ paint bucket
r- blur, smudge, sharpen tools
o- dodge, burn, smudge tools
t- text tools
u- shape tools
i- eye dropper tools
ctrl f- last filter ran
tab- hide all toolbars, enter to show layers
f- to scroll between different screen modes

I like f- twice and then hit tab, this leaves a black background with just your picture visible. then i use the shortcuts above to cycle through my tools. ctrl- to zoom out, ctrl+ to zoom in. hold shift to scroll image.

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home.woh.rr.com/chadtyree
 
You know the keyboard cheat sheets for different programs that we used to use? Remember hoe they even were tailored to fit over the keyboard? It would be helpful if one could be made from these shortcuts. Even just a logically sorted wordprocessed listing from most useful to rarely used.
Is that too big a wish;^)
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Regards
Gary
 
Thank you. I'd forgot about that one. Have to highlight the best ones from this thread. Also, the keyboard matt fit over the keys.
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Regards
Gary
 
These are all great things to know, and things you get used to fast, and can't live without as time passes.
I have a few 'additions' as well as corrections for this list.
Great list!
Here are some that I use often
ctrl e- merge linked layers
Or merge layer down with the one just below it (when no layers are linked)
ctrl click layer- makes selection of layer contents
On CS2, it's now necessary to click directly on the thumbnail on the layer.

Ctrl (Cmd) clicking directly on the layer (not the thumb) will select/deselect that layer. It's a temporary way to link layers without actually linking them.
with paint brush selected hold alt to change to eye droper
Good one! Also, you can change the size of the brush with the [ and ] keys.

Holding Shift while pressing the [ and ] keys will change the hardness of the brush.
ctrl t- transform, right click for drop down of all transform options
After you Free Transform a layer using the shortcut above, if you type Ctrl+Alt+Shift+T (Cmd+Option+Shift+T on Mac) with another layer selected, it'll repeat the exact same transformation to that layer.

For instance, if you transform layer A and make it 50% smaller, then select layer B and type the above combination of keys, layer B will also be transformed 50% smaller. And it'll move to the same area of your canvas, as well. Hard to explain. Just try it.
double click inside photoshop to open files.
Only on Windows.
ctrl f- last filter ran
Or Ctrl+Alt+F (Cmd+Option+F) to run the filter again with a preview (and a chance to change the setting) before commiting.

Also just after running a filter Ctrl+Shift+F (Cmd+Shift+F) lets you reduce the effect of the filter that was just run via an Opacity slider.
tab- hide all toolbars, enter to show layers
Enter shows the Tool option bar on CS2
f- to scroll between different screen modes
I like f- twice and then hit tab, this leaves a black background
with just your picture visible. then i use the shortcuts above to
cycle through my tools. ctrl- to zoom out, ctrl+ to zoom in. hold
shift to scroll image.
Hold Spacebar to scroll.

Thanks Chad!

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Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Photoshop CS2
http://www.jasonahn.com
 
Hold the Option key while applying a tool like USM, levels, curves,
selective color, hue/sat, channel mixer etc. will remember the last
settings you used. This still works even if you close the program
and open it a week from now! I use this all the time for batches of
images that requies all the same adjustments. You can always use
fade (in different amounts each time) to lessen the effect. Doing
it that way you don't ever have to change the main settings you
have established in the effects you were applying.

Mike
http://www.pbase.com/mikew714
Just to clarify this a bit (sorry Mike), you must first apply an adjustment to a layer.

Now, whatever setting you used for that adjustment will be instantly reapplied in the settings dialogue box when you open that setting again with the Alt/Option key held down. If you don't hold down the Alt/Option key, it'll of course open with the default settings.

Ie: Image> Adjustments> Levels. Make your adjustments. Click Okay.

Image> Adjustments> (Hold Alt/Option)> Levels. Same settings are applied in the dialogue box. You can click Okay to apply, or change the settings. If you change the settings. Those settings will be remembered for the next time you hold the Alt/Option key.

This works independently for all the adjustment settings.

If you run Levels, then run Curves, then run Hue/Sat, THEN come back to Levels and hold Alt/Option, it'll still remember the last Levels settings you applied.

This one's always been a little confusing for me to remember, which is probably why I never use it, but it seems handy at times. Just seems a bit odd to have to remember what the last used settings were in order to know if you want the same settings again or not.

Thanks Mike!
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Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Photoshop CS2
http://www.jasonahn.com
 
I use this one all the time for my 'high key' type glamour conversions.
Although I use Screen as opposed to multiply.

The Tilde shortcut has never worked for me on my Mac.
Works fine on my Windows machine, though.

Great post.
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Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Photoshop CS2
http://www.jasonahn.com
 
When you're making a selection, to fine tune that selection, hit the Q key to enter the Quick Mask mode.

Your image will be overlayed with a translucent red color showing you where you've selected, and where you haven't. Painting with black will deselect an area, while painting with white will select. You'll be painting with the Brush tool, so all the brush tool options apply here. Such as size and hardness. Hit Q again to exit Quick Mask mode and you'll see the 'marching ants' selecting the area you've just 'painted'.
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Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Photoshop CS2
http://www.jasonahn.com
 
Here is the next tip that goes along with this one nicely. Let's say you open levels holding the alt/option key and the last settings is not what you want, simply hold the alt/option key again and the "cancel" button turns into a "reset" button-just click on "reset" then the settings go back to default. No wasted movements at all this way, you either use what you did last time, make a slight adjustment from last time or start fresh.

Mike
Hold the Option key while applying a tool like USM, levels, curves,
selective color, hue/sat, channel mixer etc. will remember the last
settings you used. This still works even if you close the program
and open it a week from now! I use this all the time for batches of
images that requies all the same adjustments. You can always use
fade (in different amounts each time) to lessen the effect. Doing
it that way you don't ever have to change the main settings you
have established in the effects you were applying.

Mike
http://www.pbase.com/mikew714
Just to clarify this a bit (sorry Mike), you must first apply an
adjustment to a layer.
Now, whatever setting you used for that adjustment will be
instantly reapplied in the settings dialogue box when you open that
setting again with the Alt/Option key held down. If you don't hold
down the Alt/Option key, it'll of course open with the default
settings.

Ie: Image> Adjustments> Levels. Make your adjustments. Click Okay.
Image> Adjustments> (Hold Alt/Option)> Levels. Same settings are
applied in the dialogue box. You can click Okay to apply, or
change the settings. If you change the settings. Those settings
will be remembered for the next time you hold the Alt/Option key.

This works independently for all the adjustment settings.
If you run Levels, then run Curves, then run Hue/Sat, THEN come
back to Levels and hold Alt/Option, it'll still remember the last
Levels settings you applied.

This one's always been a little confusing for me to remember, which
is probably why I never use it, but it seems handy at times. Just
seems a bit odd to have to remember what the last used settings
were in order to know if you want the same settings again or not.

Thanks Mike!
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Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Photoshop CS2
http://www.jasonahn.com
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Mike
http://www.pbase.com/mikew714
 
No, I absolutely agree.
I'm not saying that it's not useful or a pain to use.

I just have a hard time remembering the exact settings I might have used last time to know whether I want to use it over again. It's a memory issue with me. It's not the method's fault.

For instance, if I use a Levels Adjustment Clipping Layer with one setting, then I use a different setting for a second Levels layer, by the time I get to the third Levels Adjustment Layer, I forget if the last setting I used was for the first or second...Well, it makes sense in my head. Kind of.

Which is why I generally stick to using Adjustment Layer Masks. So if I need to remember the settings, I just double click the thumbnail, and voila.

I wish I were smarter.
Mike
Hold the Option key while applying a tool like USM, levels, curves,
selective color, hue/sat, channel mixer etc. will remember the last
settings you used. This still works even if you close the program
and open it a week from now! I use this all the time for batches of
images that requies all the same adjustments. You can always use
fade (in different amounts each time) to lessen the effect. Doing
it that way you don't ever have to change the main settings you
have established in the effects you were applying.

Mike
http://www.pbase.com/mikew714
Just to clarify this a bit (sorry Mike), you must first apply an
adjustment to a layer.
Now, whatever setting you used for that adjustment will be
instantly reapplied in the settings dialogue box when you open that
setting again with the Alt/Option key held down. If you don't hold
down the Alt/Option key, it'll of course open with the default
settings.

Ie: Image> Adjustments> Levels. Make your adjustments. Click Okay.
Image> Adjustments> (Hold Alt/Option)> Levels. Same settings are
applied in the dialogue box. You can click Okay to apply, or
change the settings. If you change the settings. Those settings
will be remembered for the next time you hold the Alt/Option key.

This works independently for all the adjustment settings.
If you run Levels, then run Curves, then run Hue/Sat, THEN come
back to Levels and hold Alt/Option, it'll still remember the last
Levels settings you applied.

This one's always been a little confusing for me to remember, which
is probably why I never use it, but it seems handy at times. Just
seems a bit odd to have to remember what the last used settings
were in order to know if you want the same settings again or not.

Thanks Mike!
--
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Photoshop CS2
http://www.jasonahn.com
--
Mike
http://www.pbase.com/mikew714
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Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Photoshop CS2
http://www.jasonahn.com
 

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