4-using the options bar and other panels

using the options bar and other panels


You’ve already had some experience with the options bar. When you selected the
Zoom tool in the previous project, you saw that the options bar contained options
that change the view of the current image window. Now you’ll learn more about
setting tool properties in the options bar, as well as using panels and panel menus.

Previewing and opening another file

The next project involves a promotional postcard for a community project. First,
preview the end file to see what you’re aiming to do.


1 Click the Mini Bridge tab at the bottom of the application window to open the
Mini Bridge panel.
You can access many of the features of Adobe Bridge without leaving Photoshop.
The Mini Bridge panel lets you browse, select, open, and import files while you’re
working with your image in Photoshop.
2 Choose Favorites from the pop-up menu on the left side of the panel. Then
double-click the Lessons folder, and double-click the Lesson01 folder.
3 Select the 01B_End.psd file in the Content area, and press the spacebar to see
a full-screen preview of the image.

Notice the text that is set against the

sandy area across the lower part of

the image.

4 Press the spacebar again to return

to the thumbnail view.

5 Double-click the 01B_Start.psd file in the Content area to open it in Photoshop.

6 Double-click the Mini Bridge tab to hide the panel so you can see the image

window clearly.

setting tool properties in the options bar

With the 01B_Start.psd file open in Photoshop, you’re ready to select the text properties

and then to type your message.

1 In the Tools panel, select the Horizontal Type tool ( ).

The buttons and menus in the options bar now relate to the Type tool.

2 In the options bar, select a font you like from the first pop-up menu. (We used

Garamond, but you can use another font if you prefer.)

3 Specify 38 pt for the font size.

You can specify 38 points by typing directly in the font-size text box and pressing  

Enter or Return, or by scrubbing the font-size menu label. You can also choose a

standard font size from the font-size pop-up menu.

4 Click once anywhere on the left side of the image, and type Monday is Beach
Cleanup Day.
The text appears with the font and font size that you selected.
5 In the Tools panel, select the Move tool ( ). It’s the first tool.
6 Position the Move tool pointer over the text you typed, and drag the text onto
the sand, centering it over the bench.

using panels and panel menus

The text color in your image is the same as the Foreground Color swatch in the

Tools panel, which is black by default. The text in the end-file example was a

magenta shade that made the text stand out. You’ll color the text by selecting it

and then choosing another color.

1 In the Tools panel, select the Horizontal Type tool ( ).

2 Drag the Horizontal Type tool across the text to select all the words.

3 Click the Swatches tab to bring that panel forward, if it’s not already visible.

4 Select any swatch.

The color you select appears in three places: as the Foreground Color in the Tools

panel, in the text color swatch in the options bar, and in the text you selected in the

image window. (Select any other tool in the Tools panel to deselect the text so that

you can see the color applied to it.)

That’s how easy it is to select a color, although there are other methods in

Photoshop. However, you’ll use a specific color for this project, and it’s easier

to find it if you change the Swatches panel display.

5 Select another tool in the Tools panel, such as the Move tool ( ), to deselect the

   Horizontal Type tool. Then, click the menu button ( ) on the Swatches panel to

   open the panel menu, and choose Small List.

6 Select the Type tool and reselect the text, as you did in steps 1 and 2.

7 In the Swatches panel, scroll about halfway

   down the list to find the Pastel Violet Magenta

   swatch, and then select it.

Now the text appears in the lighter violet color.

8 Select the Hand tool ( ) to deselect the text. Then click the Default  

   Foreground And Background Colors button in the Tools panel to

   make Black the foreground color.

Resetting the default colors does not change the color of the text in the image,

because that text is no longer selected.

9 You’ve finished the task, so close the file. You can either save it, close it without

   saving, or save it under a different name or location.

   It’s as simple as that—you’ve completed another project. Nice job!