Dynamic Learning Photoshop CS3
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Unified user interface panels

You are likely to find Photoshop's new palette docking system very intuitive.

Before starting, make sure that you are back to the standard Photoshop workspace by choosing Window > Workspace > Default Workspace. This returns you to the original Photoshop workspace. In Photoshop CS3, there are many workspaces that you can choose.

Click once on the left-facing double arrows in the gray area above the icons. The icons are expanded into full palettes, which is especially helpful for new users, as it can be difficult to decipher which palettes the icons represent.

Expand and collapse palettes to customize your workspace.

Click on the right-facing double arrows to collapse the palettes back to icons.

You'll notice that the expanded palettes on the right also have these arrows, so you can expand and collapse them as well.

Choose File > Close and close the ps0101.psd image. If you are asked to save changes, select No.

Now you will discover some of the other new features in Adobe Photoshop CS3.

Understanding the Smart Filter feature

With the Smart Filter feature, you have the ability to turn filters on or off and blend or mask filters without editing the original image content.

By choosing Filter > Convert for Smart Filters, you can save an original image that will not be affected when you apply filters. You can then add, adjust, and remove filters from the image without having to re-save the image or start all over again.

You'll now open a file with a Smart Filter already applied to it.

Choose File > Browse. Adobe Bridge appears. If the ps01lessons folder is not visible, click on the Folders tab in the upper left side of the Adobe Bridge workspace, then click on Desktop and locate the ps01lessons folder inside the pslessons folder on your desktop.

Double-click on ps0102.psd to open the file. An image with an exaggerated radial blur appears. You'll tone this down a bit using the Smart Filter mask located in the Layers palette.

An image with a radial blur applied.

The Smart Filter is visible on the layers palette.

You'll now save this as a work file. Choose File > Save As. In the Save As dialog box, navigate to the ps01lessons folder. In the File name text field, type ps0102_work. Leave the format set to Photoshop and press Save.

If the Layers palette is not visible, choose Window > Layers. Note the Filters effects mask that is under the image layer.

Click on the eye icon to the left of Smart Filters. The unfiltered image appears. To turn the filter effect back on, click on the area where the eye icon was located.

Now you will make an adjustment to the radial blur filter.

Double-click on the words Radial Blur underneath Smart Filters in the Layers palette. The Radial Blur dialog box appears.

Click and drag the Amount slider to approximately 15, or type 15 into the Amount text field.

Select Zoom for the Blur method, then press OK. Notice that much of the detail is returned to the image, as it retained the original image data as a Smart Object.

Choose File > Save, and then choose File > Close.

 

You may use Smart Filters for simple processes, like clicking on the eye icon to turn filters that you applied off and on. You may want to take it further with creative masking techniques like painting on the Filter effects.

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