Unveiling Hidden Photoshop Tools and Functions
As a digital photographer and graphic designer, Adobe Photoshop is a tool that I use almost every day. There is a plethora of features and tools within Photoshop that can enhance your work, but inevitably, some remain lesser-known to the average user. In this article, we will explore some of these hidden gems that can significantly improve your workflow.
Content-Aware Crop Tool
The Content-Aware Crop Tool is a powerful feature that allows you to intelligently crop an image while maintaining the essential elements in the overall design. For example, if you are trying to crop out a person from a landscape, the tool will understand which pieces of the photo to keep and which can be removed. This saves time and provides a more seamless transition from the original to the edited photo.
Select and Mask Tool
Another useful tool is the Select and Mask feature. This tool is great for creating a custom selection of an image that can then be manipulated or edited further. It allows for a more precise selection of objects to be masked and deleted from an image. This precision is invaluable when working with complex images or when you need to remove backgrounds or isolate specific elements.
Clone Stamp Tool’s Hidden Features
For years, the Clone Stamp Tool has been one of Photoshop’s most versatile tools for retouching and repairing images. However, there are a few hidden features that can take your workflow to the next level. For example, did you know that you can hold Shift and then press the Up Arrow key to rotate your clone selection? This is particularly useful when you need to make precise adjustments across the image. Additionally, the Clone Stamp Tool has a panel where you can type in an angle to create more controlled and accurate clones.
Discovering Lesser-Known Features
It’s not uncommon for even experienced users to overlook certain features in Photoshop. At least that’s my experience when I teach or present features to “advanced” users. Here are three of my favorite hidden features that are worth exploring:
Perspective Crop Tool
The Perspective Crop Tool is quite handy when you need to straighten posters, paintings, pages, or facades. This tool is particularly useful when you didn't stand right in front of your subject but slightly to the side, which can introduce unwanted reflections or obtrusive elements. With the Perspective Crop Tool, you can easily straighten these images without compromising their quality.
Magic Eraser Tool
The Magic Eraser Tool is a no-brainer feature that’s available in every Photoshop session. Instead of using the Magic Wand Tool to select a background color, you can simply hit Delete and let Photoshop’s Content-Aware fill the surrounding area with whatever you want to cut out. To finalize the process, undo the steps until you unlock the background layer and choose Delete None. This method is quick, easy, and effective for removing backgrounds. The Magic Eraser has a tolerance setting which can be adjusted for different scenarios.
Smudge Finger Tool
The Smudge Finger Tool might seem quirky, but it has practical uses. Imagine you have a tightly cutout object on a separate layer that has been cut from its environment. Even though the shape looks okay, there might still be remnants of the background’s content and color in the fringes. To refine these fringes, lock the layer’s transparency, set the Smudge tool to a large and medium soft edge, and carefully drag the inside’s content a few pixels outwards beyond the edge of the shape. The lock ensures that the shape won’t become a stretched blob, giving you a much cleaner and more professional end result.
These hidden features in Adobe Photoshop can make your work more efficient and your results more impressive. Whether you are a professional photographer, graphic designer, or a hobbyist, taking the time to learn about and master these features can elevate your skills to the next level.