Rangefinder Magazine
June 2005

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Photoshop Q&A by David Cross

Q. I love the way you can customize the File Browser in Photoshop CS, but I keep rearranging things between different set-ups. Is there a way to save the layout of the File Browser?

A. There sure is. As you’ve said, the File Browser now has the option to completely rearrange the layout into whatever combination you like: no preview, big preview, keywords and preview together, etc.

To save those layouts, use the Save Workspace command. After you’ve arranged the File Browser the way you want, from the Window menu choose Workspace > Save Workspace. Name your new workspace in a way that describes the File Browser layout. Then create a different arrangement of the File Browser and save that Workspace.

From then on, just choose the appropriate workspace to get the arrangement of the File Browser that you like. (As an added bonus, create one workspace with the floating palettes hidden so you can view an enormous File Browser.)

Q. This has never happened before, but now when I enter some type, I can only see the first line of type—the rest is missing in action. Why is that?

A. Two factors may be causing this to happen. First, Photoshop remembers the last settings you’ve used (sometimes past the point of being helpful). In this case, Photoshop is “helping” by remembering the leading (space between lines) that you previously used—even after you change the font size. Secondly, unlike in some programs, if you change the font size, the leading does not automatically change.

For example, say you’ve used a size of 300 points and leading of 315. If you change the point size to 40, Photoshop still remembers the leading of 315, and since it doesn’t automatically change, it will stay as is.

This means your second line of type is there; it’s just really far down the document. To fix this, use the Paragraph box to reduce the leading to a more reasonable size. From then on, just remember to check the leading (and tracking, kerning and horizontal scaling) each time you change the size of your type.

Q. Okay, it’s great that the new document dialog box automatically changes the measurement for Width and Height at the same time. But now and then I want to change only the Width to inches and leave the Height at pixels. Can I do that?

A. To make the new dialog box act like previous versions (where the unit measurement for Width and Height changed independently), hold down the Shift key as you change either unit of measurement.

Q. I heard you can use the Extract command as a way to make an interesting border on an image. Can you outline the steps?

A. It’s actually a pretty cool technique. The good news (or bad news depending on how you look at it) is that you never really know exactly what result you’ll get. Here are the steps:

Duplicate the Background layer by pressing Cmd-J (PC: Ctrl-J). This isn’t absolutely necessary, but just gives you a back-up plan.

From the Filter menu, choose Extract.

Use the Edge Highlighter tool (at the top of the Extract Toolbox) and click once, then hold down Shift key and click a second time to create a painted line for one edge of your border. Let go of the Shift key.

Repeat Step 3 to create overlapping painted lines for all four border edges. (You can also vary the Brush size and make several overlapping lines if you like.) Make sure to let go of Shift after painting each border line, or you’ll get a whole series of connected lines.

Use the Fill tool (the second tool from the top) to fill the middle area. You should end up with a green painted border and a blue fill (as shown) Click OK.

Here’s the end result, after adding a new layer filled with white below the extracted layer and adding a drop shadow to the extracted layer. (Of course, you can also paint freeform borders with the Edge Highlighter tool to create a different effect.)

Q. When I am using the Histogram palette in a multi-layered document, is the histogram displaying information for one layer or all layers?

A. That’s up to you. If use the pop-up menu in the Histogram palette to change the Histogram palette to Expanded View, you can choose between these three options for the source:

Entire Image: Displays a histogram for all layers.

Selected Layer: Displays a histogram of the layer that is active in the layers palette.

Adjustment Composite: Displays a histogram of an Adjustment Layer that’s selected in the Layers palette and all the layers below that Adjustment Layer.

Choose from these settings to determine what layer information is being used to display the histogram. If you view a different multi-layered document, the Histogram palette will keep the setting you just selected.

Q. I understand that Photoshop CS has more support for 16-bit images, but what does that really mean? Are there still some things that don’t work in 16-bit mode?

A. Yes, there’s greatly increased support for 16-bit images, and yes, there are some functions that don’t work in 16-bit mode. The easiest way to see what can and cannot be done in 16-bit mode is to change to that mode (Image > Mode > 16 bit), and then take a look under the menus. The Filter menu, for example, will show that only a select few filters are available. On the other hand, most Adjustment commands, Layer functions and all tools work very nicely in 16-bit mode.

Dave Cross is senior developer for education and curriculum for NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals) and co-author of three books: Photoshop 7 & Illustrator 10: Create Great Advanced Graphics, Photoshop 7 Trade Secret, and Adobe Illustrator Killer Tips. Dave is also one of the lead instructors for NAPP’s Adobe Photoshop Seminar Tour.