Find, Open, and Save Projects
After you finish working with your photos, you can use them to make specialty projects in Photoshop Elements. You can create print-oriented photo projects, such as photo books, photo calendars, photo collages, scrapbooks, CD/DVD labels and jackets, and greeting cards, or digital projects, such as flipbooks, slide shows and online galleries.
In Photoshop Elements, you can create a photo or digital project starting from the Organizer or Editor using the Create tab (New!). For photo projects, you use the Projects panel in the Palette Bin (in the Editor) to specify a size, layout, and theme for the project type. However, in some cases, such as a photo book, Photoshop Elements uses an outside service through Adobe Photoshop Services. For digital projects, you specify settings in a dialog box or use a wizard to guide you through a series of prompts to select a page design, layout, and other options for the project type.
All photo and digital projects are stored in the Photo Browser as projects, so you can quickly find and open them as needed. However, Photoshop Elements saves them in different formats depending on the number of pages in the file. When a project has only a single page, Photoshop Elements saves it in the Photoshop format (PSD). When a project has multiple pages (up to 30 at a time), it saves the project in the Photo Projects format (PSE).
Have you ever taken a series of pictures trying to get the perfect shot, but can never quite get it? One person either has their eyes closed or doesn’t look right. You can use Photomerge Group Shot (New!) or Photomerge Faces (New!) to combine a person or facial features in one photo with another photo to create the perfect photo. If your camera doesn’t take panoramas, you can use Photomerge Panorama (New!) to create one.
After you have completed and saved a project, you can open it to make changes. By default, projects appear in the Photo Browser along with all your photos and other media files with the exception of projects ordered through Adobe Photoshop Services. If you have trouble finding a project, you can use the Projects command on the By Media Type submenu on the Find menu to locate all the projects in the catalog.
In the Organizer (in Photo Browser view), click the Find menu, point to By Media Type, and then click Projects.
To show only projects, uncheck all the other items on the By Media Type submenu.
Double-click the project you want to open.
You can add and remove pages in a photo project. Open the photo project. To add a page, select the page before where you want to insert a new one in the Project Bin, click the Edit menu, and then click Add Blank Page, or Add Page Using Current Layout. To remove a page, select the page, click the Edit menu, and then click Delete Current Page.
Photoshop Elements saves photo and digital projects in different formats depending on the number of pages in the file. When a project has only a single page, Photoshop Elements saves it in the Photoshop format (PSD). When a project has multiple pages (up to 30 at a time), it saves the project in the Photo Projects format (PSE).
Click the File menu, and then click Save.
Enter a name for the file in the File Name box.
Click the Format list arrow, and then click Photo Project Format (*PSE) for multiple page projects or Photoshop (*PSD, *PDD) for single page projects.
Photoshop Elements sets the appropriate format for the selected project.
Click the Save in list arrow, and then choose where to store the image.
Select from the available Save options (settings vary depending on the project):
Include in the Organizer. Includes the project in the Organizer.
Layers. Maintains all layers in the image.
As A Copy. Saves a copy of the file while keeping the current file on your desktop.
ICC Profile. Embeds proof profile information in an untagged document. If the document is tagged, the profile is embedded by default.
Use Lower Case Extension. Makes the file extension lowercase.
Click Save.
A photo book makes it easy to create a professional designed book of photos that you can print on your home printer or order a bound version from Adobe Photoshop Services. You can select from a variety of creative designs available on the Content palette in the Editor.
Select (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the photos you want to use in your project.
Click the Create tab.
Click Photo Book on the Create tab.
The Projects panel in the Palette Bin in the Editor appears.
Drag the photo you want in the Project Bin for the title place photo to the first position on the left.
Click Next.
Click the Random Photo Layout or Choose Photo Layout option.
Select a photo layout or theme.
Select the additional options you want, if available:
Auto-Fill with Project Bin Photos. Automatically uses photos in the Project Bin.
Include Captions. Adds captions on or below the image.
Number of Pages. Specifies the number of pages for the project.
Click Done.
Click the File menu, click Save As, type a name, specify a location, and then click Save.
Continue on the next page to modify the photo book.
Double-click (in Organizer) or open (in Editor) the project you want to edit.
Click the page you want to modify in the Project Bin.
Use the Photo Book Editing toolbar to navigate between pages and add or remove pages.
To move a page, drag the photo page you want in the Project Bin to a new location.
Click a photo placeholder or drag a photo to a placeholder in the photo book.
Click the Artwork tab under the Create tab.
Display the Content palette, and the use the first pop-up menu to select a content type, such as By Activity, By Style, and Show All.
Pop-up. Use the second pop-up to select different content designs, if available.
Filter buttons. Use the filter buttons to select different content designs, if available.
Drag a design or item onto a photo book page. You can also select a design or item, and then click Apply.
Click the File menu, and then click Save.
In Photoshop Elements, you can use your photos to create a photo calendar. Photo Calendars are designed to be ordered online using Adobe Photoshop Services provided by Kodak EasyShare Gallery. The Photo Calendar wizard steps you through the process to select a professional layout and creative design and then order the calendar.
In the Organizer (in Photo Browser view) or Editor, click the Create tab. If you want, you can select 1 to 12 photos to get started.
Click Photo Calendar on the Create tab.
The Photo Calendar wizard dialog box appears, displaying options provided by Kodak EasyShare Gallery.
Click Select More Photos, and then do the following:
Select options to display the photos you want to add.
Select the check boxes next to the photos.
Click Add Selected Photos.
Click Done.
Click Next to continue.
Specify login information or click the Join Now link, and then click Next to continue.
Your photos are uploaded to the web for use in the Kodak Gallery.
Click Next.
The Kodak Gallery web site appears in your browser.
Follow the online instructions to select a page design, layout, and other options to create your photo calendar.
Photo collages are large photo print projects, such as a scrapbook. You can select from a variety of themes and layouts on the Content palette in the Editor. After you finish your photo collage, you can print it from your home printer, order a professionally printed version online, or send it by e-mail.
Select (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the photos you want to use in your project.
Click the Create tab.
Click Photo Collage on the Create tab.
Click the Page Size list arrow, and then select a page size.
Select a photo theme (optional) and a layout.
Select the additional options you want, if available:
Auto-Fill with Project Bin Photos. Automatically uses photos in the Project Bin.
Include Captions. Adds captions on or below the image.
Number of Pages. Specifies the number of pages for the project.
Click Done.
Click the File menu, click Save As, type a name, specify a location, and then click Save.
With Photoshop Elements, you can create disc labels for CDs and DVDs and cover jackets for CD and DVD cases. You don’t need to be a designer, Photoshop Elements provides professionally designed themes and layouts from which you can choose. When you’re done, you can save your results and then print the adhesive disc labels or cover jackets on your home printer.
Select (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the photos you want to use in your project.
Click the Create tab.
Click the More Options button on the Create tab, and then click CD/DVD Label, CD Jacket, or DVD Jacket.
Select a photo theme and a layout.
Select the Auto-Fill with Project Bin Photos check box to automatically use photos in the Project Bin.
Click Done.
Click the File menu, click Save As, type a name, specify a location, and then click Save.
Greeting cards are great way to let people know how you feel. Instead of buying them at the store, you can create your own with Photoshop Elements. You don’t need to be a designer, Photoshop Elements provides professionally designed themes and layouts from which you can choose. Within the designs, you can add up to 22 photos on a page; however, it’s not recommended. When you’re done, you can save your results and then print your greeting card on your home printer. If you prefer, you can order a greeting card online from Adobe Photoshop Services.
Select (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the photos you want to use in your project.
Click the Create tab.
Click the More Options button on the Create tab, and then click Greeting Card.
Click the Page Size list arrow, and then select a page size.
Select a photo theme (optional) and a layout.
Select the additional options you want, if available:
Auto-Fill with Project Bin Photos. Automatically uses photos in the Project Bin.
Include Captions. Adds captions on or below the image.
Click Done.
Click the File menu, click Save As, type a name, specify a location, and then click Save.
An online gallery is a way to present your photos on a web page where other can access them. You can choose from a variety of layouts and designs including interactive, animated, journal or slide show, so it doesn’t take a lot of work. The Online Gallery wizard walks you through the entire process step by step. You can add and arrange photos, select web page layouts and background styles, and add transitions. If you have FLV videos, you can use them in an online gallery.
Select (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the photos you want to use in your project.
Click the Create tab.
Click the Online Gallery button on the Create tab.
Add or remove photos in the Items area.
Drag the photo thumbnails in the order you want them to appear in the online gallery.
Click Next.
Click the Select a Category list arrow, and then select a category:
Interactive. Displays motions and interactivity to a gallery.
Standard. Displays thumbnails on left and preview on right with controls.
Animated. Displays motions and interactivity to a gallery.
Journal. Displays text area on left, thumbnail at bottom, and preview on right with controls.
Slideshow. Displays preview of slides with controls.
Video. Display first frame of video in FLV format.
Select a template.
Click Next.
Enter the information and select the options you want to customize your gallery (options vary depending on your category).
Some of the information includes title, subtitle, caption, your name, and e-mail address, and options includes slide show settings.
Click Next.
Enter a name for the gallery file.
Click Browse, select a folder location for the project, and then click OK.
Click Next.
To share your gallery, click one of the links provided, and then select the options you want.
Photoshop Showcase. Publishes the online gallery in the Adobe Photoshop Services online sharing service. Click Upload to proceed.
My FTP. Uploads the online gallery files to a web server. Click Share to proceed.
CD/DVD. Burns the online gallery files onto a CD or DVD disc for full-screen playback. Click Burn to proceed.
Click Done.
If you want to add motion to an online gallery, you can use the Interactive or Animated option in the Online Gallery wizard to create a web page for your photos (New!). You can also add other information to your online gallery including a title, subtitle, and e-mail address, and select options to show photo captions and include sound effects.
Select (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the photos you want to use in your project.
Click the Create tab.
Click the Online Gallery button on the Create tab.
Add or remove photos in the Items area.
Drag the photo thumbnails in the order you want them to appear in the online gallery.
Click Next.
Click the Select a Category list arrow, and then click Interactive or Animated.
Select a template.
Click Next.
Enter the following information to customize the online gallery:
Title. Enter a gallery title.
Subtitle. Enter a gallery subtitle.
E-mail Address. Enter your e-mail address.
Enter the following information:
Background Color. Click the color box to select a background color.
Show Photo Captions. Select to show photo captions.
Click Next.
Enter a name for the gallery file.
Click Browse, select a folder location for the project, and then click OK.
Click Next.
To share your gallery, click one of the links provided, and then select the options you want.
Photoshop Showcase. Publishes the online gallery in the Adobe Photoshop Services online sharing service. Click Upload to proceed.
My FTP. Uploads the online gallery files to a web server. Click Share to proceed.
CD/DVD. Burns the online gallery files onto a CD or DVD disc for full-screen playback. Click Burn to proceed.
Click Done.
If you have taken photos using the burst mode on your camera, you can use Photoshop Elements to animate the photos in a flipbook. A flipbook is a stop-motion video of your photos. It’s a series of still images that looks like a video when you flip through them. When you create a flipbook, the project is saved in the WMV format, which you can view on your computer, a TV using Windows Media Center Edition, the web, or in e-mail. You can even export a flipbook to your mobile phone.
Select (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the photos you want to use in your project.
Click the Create tab.
Click the More Options button on the Create tab, and then click Flipbook.
Select the additional options you want, if available:
Speed. Specifies the frames per second (FPS) for the flipbook.
Reverse Order. Select to start showing photos from the end.
Output Settings. Specifies the output type and screen size. Select a movie size and then click Details to find out information about your choice.
Loop Preview. Select to play the flipbook again when it reaches the end.
Click Output.
Type a name, specify a location, and then click Save.
Upon completion, click OK.
With Photoshop Elements, you can collect and present your photos in a slide show using Slide Show preferences and the Slide Show Editor. Slide Show preferences allow you to set default settings for all of your slide shows, while the Slide Show Editor allows you to edit and customize individual slide shows. When you’re done with a slide show, you can preview, save, and share it with others.
Select (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the photos you want to use in your project.
Click the Create tab.
Click the Slide Show button on the Create tab.
If the slide Show Preferences dialog box appears, select the options you want, and then click OK.
Edit the slide show using the options available in the Slide Show Editor.
To preview the slide show, click the Full Screen Preview button.
Click the Save Project button, enter a name for the project, and then click Save to save the slide show.
See “Setting Slide Show Preferences” on page 424 for information on selecting the preferences options.
Slide Show preferences allow you to set default settings for all of your slide shows. When you create a new slide show, Photoshop Elements opens the Slide Show Preferences dialog box by default so you can set slide show settings for the new project. If you prefer not to display the Slide Show Preferences dialog box when you create a new slide show, you can deselect the option in the dialog box. In Slide Show preferences, you can set options for slide duration, transition effect and duration, background color, panning and zooming, captions, soundtracks, and audio captions.
In the Organizer or Editor, use either of the following methods:
New. Click the Slide Show button on the Create tab.
The Slide Show Preferences dialog box appears when the option in Step 5 is selected.
Open Existing. Double-click (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the slide show project. In the Slide Show Editor, click the Edit menu, and then click Slide Show Preferences.
Select the options you want:
Static Duration. Select the default time for every slide.
Transition. Select how slides change from one slide to the next.
Transition Duration. Select the time for each transition.
Background Color. Select the default color that appear behind each slide.
Apply Pan & Zoom to All Slides. Select to apply a random pan and zoom to all slides.
Include Photo Captions as Text. Select to add the caption attached to a photo in the slide show.
Include Audio Captions as Narration. Select to add the audio caption attached to a photo in the slide show.
Repeat Soundtrack Until Last Slide. Select to loop the soundtrack until the slide show ends.
Crop To Fit Slide. Select the Portrait Photos or Landscape Photos check boxes to crop the photos to fit on a slide, removing any black bars due to different aspect ratios.
Click the Preview Quality list arrow, and then select a quality level. The higher the quality level, the larger the file size.
Select the Show this dialog each time a new Slide Show is created check box to open the slide show preferences dialog box when you click the Slide Show button on the Create tab.
Click OK.
When you create or open an existing slide show, you can modify it by using the Slide Show Editor. In the Slide Show Editor, you can work with existing content and add new content. You can use the Add Media button to add photos, videos, and audio from the Organizer or from a folder on your computer. If you no longer want to use the content in a slide show, you can quickly remove it using the Slide Show Editor.
Double-click (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the slide show project you want to change.
To add a blank slide, click the Add Blank Slide button.
Select the slide in the storyboard, where you want to add content.
Click the Add Media button, and then click one of the following:
Photos and Videos from Organizer. Click an option to display the photos you want to add, select the check boxes next to the photos you want, click Add Selected Photos, and then click Done.
Photos and Videos from Folder. Select a file from your computer, and then click Open.
Audio from Organizer. Select music from your catalog, and then click OK.
Audio from Folder. Select music file from your computer, and then click Open.
To remove a slide, select the slide in the storyboard, and then press the Delete key.
To move a slide, drag it to a new location.
Click the Save Project button to save the slide show.
Click the File menu, and then click Exit Slide Show Editor.
After you create a slide show, you can use the Slide Show Editor to edit individual photos. In the Properties palette of the Slide Show Editor, you can use options to edit and fix photos, resize and crop images, and rotate slides. Before you can use these options, you need to select the slide you want to change in the storyboard at the bottom of the Editor, and then select the photo in the main preview window. When you see a bounding box with square resize handles, you’re ready to edit.
Double-click (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the slide show project you want to change.
Select a slide in the storyboard you want to edit.
Click the photo in the main preview window.
Select from the available options from the Properties palette:
Edit and Adjust Slides. Click Auto Smart Fix to perform a quick fix, Auto Red Eye Fix to remove photo red eye, or More Editing to edit the photo in the Editor.
Resize Slides. Drag the Size slider, or click the Crop to Fit or Fit on Slide buttons.
Rotate Slides. Click the Rotate Left 90° or Rotate Right 90° buttons.
Click the Save Project button to save the slide show.
Click the File menu, and then click Exit Slide Show Editor.
With the Slide Show Editor, you can add some special effects—such as transitions, pans, and zooms (New!)—to your slide show to add motion and interest. Transitions are effects that appear when you change from one slide to the next, while pans and zooms are effects that add motion to a still image. A transition effect is useful for moving from one photo subject to another, while a pan and zoom effect is useful for changing the focus on a photo from one area to another area.
Double-click (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the slide show project you want to change.
Select the slides you want to add or change a slide transition:
All Transitions. Click the Edit menu (Slide Show Editor), and then click Select All Transitions.
Single Transition. Click the transition icon (between slides) in the storyboard.
In the Properties palette, click the Transition list arrow, and then select a transition.
Remove. Click None from the list to remove a transition.
In the Properties palette, click the Duration list arrow, and then select a time duration.
Click the Save Project button to save the slide show.
Click the File menu, and then click Exit Slide Show Editor.
Double-click (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the slide show project you want to change.
Select the slide you want to change in the storyboard.
In the Properties palette, select the Enable Pan & Zoom check box.
The Start bounding box has a green outline.
In the main preview window, drag a corner of the bounding box to resize it, if you want.
Drag the Start box to the area of the photo where you want panning and zooming to start. Resize the box until it surrounds the area you want to focus on.
Click the thumbnail marked End.
The End bounding box has a red outline.
In the main preview window, resize and move the box until is surrounds the area where you want the additional pan and zoom to end.
To add an additional area to the pan and zoom, click Add Another Pan & Zoom to this slide button, and then drag the new End bounding box until it surrounds the area where you want it.
To swap start and end points, select the point, and then click the Swap button.
Click the Save Project button to save the slide show.
Click the File menu, and then click Exit Slide Show Editor.
With the Slide Show Editor, you can add clip art graphics and text to your slide shows (New!). In the Extras palette, you can scroll through a wide variety of clip art graphics—such as animals, background, costumes, flowers, food, frames, holiday & special occasions, and home items, and thought & speech bubbles—that you can quickly add to a photo. If you want to add text, you can use the Extras palette to select the right style to fit the photo image.
Double-click (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the slide show project you want to change.
Display the Extras palette, and then click the Graphics button.
Scroll down the list to browser through the clip art graphics.
Drag the clip art graphic onto the slide you want.
Use any of the following options to edit or modify the graphics:
Resize. Drag a corner resize handle.
Move. Click the center and drag it to a new location.
Stacking Order. Click a graphic, click the Edit menu (Slide Show Editor), point to Arrange, and then select an arrange option.
Click the Save Project button to save the slide show.
Click the File menu, and then click Exit Slide Show Editor.
Double-click (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the slide show project you want to change.
Display the Extras palette, and then click the Text button.
Drag the text sample icon onto the slide you want.
Double-click the text placeholder, replace the sample text with the text you want, and then click OK.
Select from the available options from the Properties palette:
Font and Font Size. Click to select a font family and size.
Color and Opacity. Click to select a text color from the Color Picker dialog box, and a opacity (transparency) level.
Alignment. Click to select an alignment: Left, Center, or Right.
Font Style. Click to select a style: Bold, Italic, Underline, or Strikethrough.
Drop Shadow and Color. Click to add a drop shadow (3D text appearance), and a color.
Click the Save Project button to save the slide show.
Click the File menu, and then click Exit Slide Show Editor.
When you’re done with a slide show, you can use the Output button in the Slide Show Editor to publish it as a file (either WMV or PDF), as a video CD (VCD) or DVD, on TV using a Windows Media Center Edition computer, or in a video project using Adobe Premiere Elements. With the Slide Show Output dialog box, you can select all the options you need to publish a slide show with the output you want.
Double-click (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the slide show project you want to publish.
Click the Output button.
Click Save As a File.
Click the Movie File (WMV) or PDF File (PDF) option.
Click the Slide Size list arrow, and then select the size you want.
If you selected the PDF File option, select from the following options:
Loop. Select to replay the slide show when it reaches the end.
Manual Advance. Select to not automatically play the slide show.
View Slide Show after Saving. Select to view the slide show after you created it.
Click OK, enter a file name, specify a location, and then click Save.
Click the File menu, and then click Exit Slide Show Editor.
Click the File menu, and then click Exit Slide Show Editor.
Double-click (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the slide show project you want to publish.
Click the Output button.
Click Burn to Disc.
Select the Include additional slide shows I’ve made on this disc check box to publish multiple slide shows on a disc.
Click OK.
If you selected the option to include additional slide shows, click the Add Slide Shows button, select the check boxes next to the slide shows you want to add, and then click OK.
To rearrange the slide show, drag the shows around.
Select a destination drive.
Click the NTSC or PAL option, and then click Burn, if necessary.
If available, click the Select Drive Speed list arrow, and then select the speed you want.
Insert a writable CD into your CD-RW or DVD-RW drive, and then click OK.
Click the File menu, and then click Exit Slide Show Editor.
If you have more than one slide show, you can burn them on a video CD (VCD) with a menu for easy access and viewing. In order to burn a VCD, you need a CD-RW or DVD-RW drive on your computer and blank CD-RW or DVD-RW discs. You can view a VCD on your TV using a DVD player or on your computer using a CD/DVD drive and software that supports the VCD format. Photoshop Elements creates a VCD by saving a WMV file for each slide show to your computer, converting the WMV files to VCD, and burning them to a disc.
Select (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the slide show projects or WMV files you want to use in your VCD project.
Click the Create tab.
Click the More Options button on the Create tab, and then click VCD with Menu.
Arrange and manage the slide shows in your VCD.
Add. Click Add Slide Shows, select the slide shows, and then click OK.
Move. Drag a slide show to a new location in the slide show pane.
Remove. Select a slide show, and then click Remove Slide Show.
Click the NTSC or PAL option.
Insert a writable CD into your CD-RW or DVD-RW drive, and then click Burn.
Photoshop Elements saves the project to your computer and then starts the burn process.
Select the burn options you want.
Click OK.
Upon completion, click OK.
Have you ever taken a series of pictures trying to get the perfect portrait, but can never quite get it. Either the person has their eyes closed or doesn’t look right. If you can’t get the perfect shot the natural way using a camera, you can use Photomerge Faces (New!) to combine multiple facial features from multiple photos to create the perfect portrait.
Select (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the photos you want to use in your project.
Click the File menu, point to New, and then click Photomerge Faces.
Drag the photo with the face you want as your base image from the Project Bin to the Final window.
Click another image in the Project Bin.
Click the Alignment tool, and then place the three alignment markers on the eyes and mouth on the source image and the final image, and then click Align Photos.
Click other photos in the Project Bin (color-coded) to help you keep track), and then use the Pencil tool to draw a line over the areas that you want to merge into the final photo.
To fine-tune the final image, use the Pencil tool to add additional content or the Eraser tool to remove content.
Select the options you want:
Show Strokes. Select to show your Pencil strokes in the source image.
Show Regions. Select to display the selected regions in the final image.
To reset the process and start over, click Reset.
When you’re finished, click Done.
Click the File menu, click Save As, type a name, specify a location, and then click Save.
Have you ever taken a series of pictures trying to get the perfect group shot, but can never quite get it? One person either has their eyes closed or doesn’t look right. If you have a good shot of a person on one photo and a good shot of the other people on another photo, you can use Photomerge Group Shot (New!) to combine a person in one photo with the other people in another photo to create the perfect group photo.
Select (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the photos you want to use in your project.
Click the File menu, point to New, and then click Photomerge Group Shot.
Drag the photo with the best group shot you want to use from the Project Bin to the Final window.
Click other photos in the Project Bin (color-coded) to help you keep track), and then use the Pencil tool to draw a line over the areas that you want to merge into the final photo.
To fine-tune the final image, use the Pencil tool to add additional content or the Eraser tool to remove content.
Show Strokes. Select to show your Pencil strokes in the source image.
Show Regions. Select to display the selected regions in the final image.
Click the triangle next to Advanced Options to display additional options, and then use the ones you want:
Alignment Tool. Click the Alignment tool, and then place the three alignment markers on the eyes and mouth on the source image and the final image, and then click Align Photos.
Pixel Blending. Select to blend pixels.
To reset the process and start over, click Reset.
When you’re finished, click Done.
Click the File menu, click Save As, type a name, specify a location, and then click Save.
Ever wanted to create a panoramic photograph? Panoramas (New!) are those great looking images that encompass a wide area into one photograph. For example, you want to create a single photograph of the Grand Canyon, but the lens on your camera doesn’t go that wide. So you start at the left of the canyon wall, and take a photo. Then you move slightly to the right and take another photo, and another, until you have reached the far right canyon wall. So, now you have four or five separate images on the Grand Canyon, and you want to stitch them together into a single panoramic view. If you have Photoshop Elements, you have what you need to make it happen.
In the Organizer or Editor, click the File menu, point to New, and then click Photomerge Panorama.
Click the Use list arrow, and then select from the following options:
Files. Select the files to include in the merge document. Click the Browse button, and then select the images.
Folder. Select a folder that contains all the images. Click the Browse button, and then select the folder containing all the images.
Open Files. Selects the currently open Photoshop images.
To quickly add currently opened files to the list, click Add Open Files.
To remove any images from the list, click the file name, and then click Remove.
Click one of the layout options:
Auto. Analyzes the images and uses the Perspective or Cylindrical layout.
Perspective. Creates a stretched or skewed effect on the side images.
Cylindrical. Creates a bow-tie effect like an unfolded cylinder.
Reposition Only. Aligns the layers and matches overlapping content.
Interactive Layout. Allows you to manually rearrange the images to create a panorama.
Click OK.
If you selected the Interactive Layout option in step 5, use the Toolbox to arrange the images, and then click OK.
Photoshop merges the images into a single panoramic document file.
Click the File menu, click Save As, type a name, specify a location, and then click Save.
You can use the following hints for the best results with Photomerge. For the best results, use the following rules of thumb when you take pictures. Overlap images by approximately 25% to 40%, don’t change the zoom depth, keep the camera level, stay in the same position, maintain the same exposure, and avoid using distortion lenses.
You can preserve alignment in Interactive Layout. Select the Reposition Only and Snap To Image options to preserve alignment at overlapping image areas and apply blending to even out differences of exposure between images.
Vanishing Point (New!) gives you the ability to move and/or copy objects and still maintain the same visual perspective of the original. Let’s say that you shoot an image of a roadway disappearing into the distance, and along the road there’s a billboard. Unfortunately, you want the billboard to appear as if it’s further away. With Vanishing Point, you can create a stretched or skewed effect on the side images that displays the depth of the image. Wherever you move the sign, it will appear within the proper perspective.
In the Organizer or Editor, click the File menu, point to New, and then click Photomerge Panorama.
Click the Use list arrow, and then select from the following options:
Files. Select the files to include in the merge document. Click the Browse button, and then select the images.
Folder. Select a folder that contains all the images. Click the Browse button, and then select the folder containing all the images.
Open Files. Selects the currently open Photoshop images.
To quickly add currently opened files to the list, click Add Open Files.
To remove any images from the list, click the file name, and then click Remove.
Click the Interactive Layout option.
Click OK.
Select the Vanishing Point tool in the Toolbox.
Click the Perspective option.
Click on an image to make it the vanishing point image. There can only be one vanishing point image in a panorama.
Hold down the Alt key when you point to an image to show the selection border of the photo.
Click the Select Image tool on the Toolbox, and then adjust the position of the non-vanishing point images as necessary.
A non-vanishing point image appears with a red border around it when selected.
The non-vanishing point images are linked to the vanishing point image. To remove vanishing point, click the Reposition Only button to break the links.
Click OK.
Click the File menu, click Save As, type a name, specify a location, and then click Save.
If you have a photo project that needs some work, you can use some of the on-screen editing tools to directly resize, rotate, and move photos. When you work with photo projects, you have the option to change the photo and its frame or just the photo itself. After you select the part of the photo you want to change, you can use the bounding box with square resize handles and a circle rotate handle to make the photo adjustments you want.
Select (in the Organizer) or open (in the Editor) the photo project you want to change.
Click the photo once to change the photo and frame, or double-click the photo to change a photo within a frame.
A bounding box appears showing the edges of the photo.
Use any of the following options to edit the photo:
Resize Photo. Drag the slider, or drag a corner resize handle (square). Click the Commit button (green check mark) to accept it.
Rotate Photo. Position the cursor over the circle handle, and then drag to rotate the photo. Click the Commit button (green check mark) to accept it.
Move Photo. Click within the bounding box, and then drag the photo.
Replace Photo. Right-click the photo, and then click Replace Photo.
Remove Photo. Right-click the photo, and then click Clear Photo.
Click the File menu, and then click Save.
When a project only has a single page, Photoshop Elements saves it in the Photoshop format (PSD). When a project has multiple pages (up to 30 at a time), it saves the project in the Photo Projects format (PSE). If you have Photoshop CS3 and Photoshop Elements 6 installed on the same computer, you can use Photoshop CS3 to edit single page projects and files using the Photoshop PSD file format. You can launch Photoshop CS3 directly from Photoshop Elements in the Organizer or from Windows Explorer using the Open with command.
Use either of the following methods:
In the Organizer. Select the photo project with a single page, click the Edit menu, and then click Edit with Photoshop.
In Windows Explorer. Right-click the photo project with the Photoshop format (PSD), point to Open with, and then click Adobe Photoshop CS3
Photoshop CS3 opens and displays the photo project from Photoshop Elements.
In Photoshop CS3, make the editing changes you want.
Click the File menu, and then click Save.
If Photoshop asks you to replace the existing file, click Yes.