Photoshop Fast-Track

Explore the essential Photoshop features, from the welcome screen and new file setup to panels, workspaces, and shortcuts for zoom, pan, and undo.

Learn to manage layers in Photoshop, moving and stacking elements with shortcuts, applying masks, adjustment layers, and clipping masks, and using layer styles for non-destructive edits.

Learn how pixel dimensions and resolution affect print size and image quality in Photoshop, and how to use smart objects for nondestructive transformations and smart filters.

Master selections and masks in Photoshop by turning selections into layer masks, refining edges with the Select and Mask workspace, and preserving image quality with smart objects.

Explore professional seamless pattern design and apply it to products, apparel, packaging, or digital formats. Visualize your work with a T-shirt mockup.

Generate seamless floral patterns with Adobe Firefly and Photoshop, then test on a product mockup, adjust scale and edges, and compare automated versus manual methods.

Create a flower pattern in photoshop by assembling at least five floral elements from the assets, removing white backgrounds, and organizing layers with masks and smart objects for nondestructive edits.

Create a seamless pattern using pattern preview to arrange overlapping elements, scale, and flip. Define the pattern and apply it to a mockup, then adjust angle and scale.

Create a dreamscape from a blank canvas using Photoshop's Generative Fill, exploring creative possibilities and examples as the Generative Fill technology evolves.

Create a 2000 by 1500 Photoshop document and use generative fill to craft Dolomites-inspired mountains, extend the canvas, and refine with remove and lasso tools to reveal a lake scene.

Learn to build a castle in Photoshop using rectangular marquee selections and generative fill, then extend and refine with layers, masks, and brushes for towers and ruins.

Extend composition in Photoshop with crop and clone stamp, masking to craft an island and rocky lake; add dead tree and bird, and balance depth with the rule of thirds.

Convert all layers to a smart object and apply a smart filter for nondestructive edits, then fine-tune with Camera Raw: shadows, blacks, contrast, texture, sharpening, and generative fill results vary.

Create a mixed media project in Photoshop fast-track using brushes on iPad with Apple Pencil or desktop with a mouse, layering to a final composition; great for beginners.

Learn to remove backgrounds in Photoshop fast by creating a subject selection, turning it into a mask, and refining edges with brush tools and refine edge techniques.

Learn how to paint on separate layers in Photoshop on the iPad using a variety of brushes, colors, motion lines, and blend modes to create a vibrant, dynamic composition.

Export your work from iPad with publish and export, and sync it to the desktop via cloud documents so you continue with layers and masks on any device.

Learn to visualize interior designs in Photoshop with generative AI features. See how to turn photos into realistic visuals by adding textures and decorating elements.

Learn to tidy the interior in Photoshop using the Remove Tool and Clone Stamp on new layers, selecting all layers, and nondestructive techniques to create a cleaner, more presentable space.

Replace a floor in Photoshop by applying a pattern overlay and converting it to a smart object for perspective. Use window light, masking, and soft light blends.

Learn to paint walls in Photoshop using the polygonal lasso to create a precise selection, apply Generative Fill to a blue wall, refine with generations, and group layers for organization.

Learn to add furniture with generative fill in Photoshop, using the rectangular marquee tool, layer masks, and nondestructive edits to place a white sofa, plant, lamp, and cat.

Learn to manually place furniture in a Photoshop scene by placing embedded images, masking, flipping, aligning perspective and lighting, and refining shadows with multiply blend mode and layer masks.

Brighten the ceiling using a curves adjustment layer, masked with the gradient tool to selectively brighten the top of the image while preserving the rest.

Organize your Photoshop projects by grouping layers, using shortcuts to hide layers, and naming groups for easy toggling, while exploring creative interior design edits.

Create your own movie poster using a dark fantasy theme, leveraging a flexible workflow, composition techniques, and assets that apply to any style, following along with prepared assets.

Set up a standard 27 by 40 inches poster at 300 ppi for high resolution, learn how inches relate to pixels, and create a new document to bring in images.

Place assets in a triangular composition using Photoshop, convert images to smart objects, and master masking with Select Subject, Refine Edge, and brush refinements for clean edges.

Arrange the main hero and supporting characters into a poster composition, adjust scale and placement, and use generative fill to extend the backdrop with dramatic clouds for a fantasy setting.

Learn to match subject colors to the background by converting groups to a smart object, applying non-destructive color balance and camera raw filters, and refining edges with masks.

In Photoshop fast-track, layer a cave and fire, mask edges, and use color dodge rim light to blend warm glow with cool tones.

Add and style the movie title, names, and bottom credits using the type tool, sample the sky color, and center alignment; organize layers for a polished poster.

Create editorial design assets for a magazine spread by combining images into a drop cap N, then compose the other side, and finalize in InDesign or an alternative method.

Create the drop cap main character for a magazine spread by establishing a 2500 by 2500 pixel Photoshop document, typing N in a bold sans serif font, and resizing.

Execute a nondestructive workflow by selecting the subject, applying a clipping mask to the text, and refining with layer masks and brushwork to extend detail beyond the outline.

Add rock and fox assets to the composition, remove backgrounds, refine edges with masks and brushes, and preserve mask quality by converting to smart objects during resizing.

Master the select and mask workflow to isolate a pine tree, refine edges, decontaminate colors, and convert to a smart object for precise placement beside the fox.

Refine feather edges with remove background and layer masks, then composite the feather with an owl using smart objects and clipping mask, adding watercolor details on white background.

Create compositions using the ellipse tool to build a circular shape, apply clipping masks, refine landscape layers with sky selections and masks, and save as Photoshop files for InDesign spreads.

Use InDesign to place and align images, apply alpha channel text wrap, and set a drop cap; or, if InDesign isn't available, assemble the same layout in Photoshop.

Create a magazine mockup in Photoshop by inserting two JPEGs into smart objects, export from InDesign as JPEG at 300 ppi, and refine perspective for a portfolio-ready design.

Learn to create frame-by-frame scribble animations over videos using Photoshop's video timeline, brushes, and layer styles, enabling you to apply this efficient technique to your own footage.

Master frame-by-frame animation in Photoshop using the timeline panel: open a video, create a blank video layer, and draw each frame with the brush tool, using next/previous frame shortcuts.

Explore how to create the first animated detail in Photoshop using onion skin to compare current and previous frames, adjust blend modes, and refine the arrow animation across frames.

Animate layer styles in Photoshop fast-track by applying glow and color overlay, then keyframe style changes on the timeline to create evolving neon effects and align elements in time.

Learn how to export your animation from Photoshop, including relinking missing video files, choosing render options for all frames or a portion, and exporting as MP4 with Adobe Media Encoder.

Learn to craft a unique typographic composition using adjustments, transformations, and the Puppet Warp tool in Photoshop, following along from the original sketch and Milanote assets.

Start with a sketch, on paper or digitally (e.g., Procreate), before diving into Photoshop to establish the composition and guide the design process, saving time on sizing and element placement.

Identify sources of inspiration to fuel your creative process, from garden visitors like a squirrel or robin to childhood memories, and record them to spark designs.

Apply realism by making twigs thinner toward the sky, keep animal sizes matched, avoid circular branches, and ensure an uppercase A with thinner supporting text for legibility and organic balance.

Master smart object workflows with Puppet Warp, convert layers to smart objects, and use free transform to adjust perspective and proportions, while balancing color and flipping elements to fit composition.

Master color corrections in Photoshop using color balance with a real-time preview, and apply adjustments to a smart object as a nondestructive smart filter you can tweak later.

Learn to use puppet warp in Photoshop to bend and shape artwork by placing pins, adjusting with Alt and Shift keys, and converting changes to a smart filter.

Apply a layer mask with the brush to hide with black and reveal with white, creating seamless blends, and learn to manage puppet warp masks with groups.

Apply shading to establish a top light with a 50% gray shading layer, clipped and set to overlay. Use dodge and burn to brighten and darken details nondestructively.