URSP1004 | FOUNDATION OF DIGITAL TECHNIQUES FOR URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN

IN-CLASS EXERCISE 9
PHOTOSHOP: BASIC FUNCTIONS & TECHNIQUES
This session will mainly cover the following applications of Photoshop: i) Basic Tool Set (Current Class) and ii) Layer Masks (Next Class). In the field of urban
studies, urban / spatial / architectural design and planning, Photoshop has often been adopted as the most basic programme among the rest of Adobe Suites. There
could be a number of reasons and one of them is related to its history and thus popularity (familiarity) in the industry. Professionals use it for advanced / professional
photo-editing (e.g. pro-protraits) and spatial designers often use it for developing presentation imageries, such as renderings, technical drawing post-production. We
will walk through a few of key basic functions to quickly equip all students with a certain capacity to perform the aforementioned tasks.

BASIC FUNCTIONS The task consists of a range of operations to familiarize students with the most basic photo-editing functions
allowed by Photoshop. Each step will have its own sample files for students to work on. Functions to be
& TOOLS
introduced in Task 1 are as follows:
i. Adjust the Image Size and Quality
ii. Basic Selection Function
iii. Basic Layers Function
iv. Basic Photo-Editing Tools
v. Basic Drawing Tools
(Tutorial materials are extracted from Photoshop Tutorials: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/tutorials.html)

1.1 ADJUST THE IMAGE SIZE AND QUALITY

A. RESIZE AN IMAGE
i. Choose [Image] > [Image Size]
ii. Adjust the Value assigned in either [Pixel Dimensions (Online Images)] or [Document Size (Printing)]
iii. Adjust the [Resolution] according to your output requirement (TIPS: Often 300 pixels/inch for printing to a typical desktop inkjet / laserjet)
iv. Check [Scale Styles], [Constrain Proportions] and [Resample Image]
v. Click [OK]

B. CROP AND STRAIGHTEN AN IMAGE

i. Select the [Crop Tool] from the [Tools Panel]
ii. [Drag and Release] to form the border of your choice (TIPS: Grey Area outside the Border is the Area that will be discarded once you click [OK])
iii. Drag inside the [Crop Border] to adjust the size, position, and shape of the result
iv. Drag outside a corner of the [Crop Border] to rotate / straighten
v. Press [Enter (WIN) / Return (OS)] to complete the operation

C. EXPAND THE CANVAS

i. Choose [Image] > [Canvas Size]
ii. Adjust either the actual or enter a relative dimension (Width and Height)
iii. Choose the [Anchor] (i.e. a stationary point) to imply the direction of expansion
iv. Choose the color of the canvas extension (pull down list at the bottom)
v. Click [OK]

D. ADJUST BRIGHTNESS AND CONTRAST

i. Choose [Image] > [Adjustments] > [ Brightness/Contrast]
ii. Adjust the [Brightness Slider] to change the overall brightness of the image
iii. Adjust the [Contrast Slider] to increase / decrease the image contrast
iv. Click [Preview] for instant effect check

E. ADJUST LEVELS / HUE AND SATURATION

i. Choose [Image] > [Adjustments] > [ Levels] or [Hue and Saturation]
ii. [Levels] = An Image-Editing Panel for adjustment of complex relationship between parameters
iii. [Hue and Saturation] = Adjustment made in this panel will affect all colors in the respective image (and only the selected layers / selection)
[Hue Slider] changes the colors, [Saturation Slider] affects the intensity of colors, and [Lightness Slider] adjusts the brightness of colors

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URSP1004 | FOUNDATION OF DIGITAL TECHNIQUES FOR URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN

IN-CLASS EXERCISE 9
PHOTOSHOP: BASIC FUNCTIONS & TECHNIQUES

1.2 BASIC SELECTION FUNCTION

A. SELECT BY A SHAPE-MARQUEE TOOL
i. Select the [Rectangular Marquee Tool] from the [Tools Panel] or select other shape-marquee tools by holding [Left Button] of the cursor on the [Marquee Tool]
ii. Drag a rectangular selection onto the image (i.e. the area inside the animated border represents the selection)
iii. A selection isolates part of an image for specific operation without interfering the rest of the image / corresponding layer
iv. To adjust the selection, click [Add to Selection] / [Subtract from Selection] / [Intersect with Selection] OR Press [Shift (+)] / [Alt or Option (-)] and Drag
v. Experiment with some [Image Adjustments] or [Image Filter] or [Copy] or [Paint / Fill]
vi. Deselect (i.e. deactivate the selection) by choosing [Select] > [Deselect] OR Pressing [Ctrl + D (WIN)] / [Command + D (OS)]

B. SELECT BY QUICK SELECTION TOOL

i. Select the [Quick Selection Tool] from the [Tools Panel]
ii. [Drag] over an area of your selection (TIPS: This tool tries to find image edges and automatically stops the selection there)
iii. After initial selection, this tool will automatically switch to [Add to Selection]. Drag over other areas to select more.
iv. Select less by holding [Alt (WIN)] or [Option (OS)] and drag over areas to remove from the selection OR by choosing the [Subtract from Selection]
v. Explore the differences between [Size] / [Hardness] / [Spacing] / [Refine Edge > Edge Detection / Adjust Edge]
vi. REMARKS: Check the [Sample All Layers] if you want the Tool to detect the edges by assessing the images of all layers in a file (i.e. Often Uncheck)
vii. PRO-TIPS: Select the [Quick Mask Mode] at the bottom of the [Tools Panel] to further improve the accuracy and quality of your selection (i.e. Unselected area
will be masked in RED or any Color of your choice)

C. SELECT BY LASSO TOOL

i. Select the [Lasso Tool] from the [Tools Panel] (TIPS: This tool is useful for detail refinement based on selection made by another tool, which is more efficient)
ii. To add to a selection, press [Shift] and Drag (i.e. draw) around the area you want to add further
iii. To subtract from a selection, select either the [Subtract from Selection] in the options bar OR press [Alt (WIN)] or [Option (OS)] and drag / draw around the area
iv. Hold the [Left Button] on the [Lasso Tool] to choose between three (3) types of lasso tool
+ LASSO TOOL = Freehand Selection Tool
+ POLYGONAL LASSO TOOL = Drawing by anchors and drag
+ MAGNETIC LASSO TOOL = Automatic anchors-input by auto-detection of edges

1.3 BASIC LAYERS FUNCTION

INTRODUCTION OF CONCEPT AND FUNCTIONS OF LAYERS
i. Materials that can be contained in a layer = images, text, objects and functional layers
ii. Choose [Window] > [Layers] to make the [Layers Panel] visible in the workspace
iii. Basics of Layers:
+ VISIBILITY OF A LAYER (i.e. Eye Icon) = Hide a Layer (OFF) / Make a Layer Visible (ON)
+ LAYER ORDER = Drag a layer up or down in the [Layers Panel] to change the order of layered objects and it will affect the result of the image
+ LOCK FUNCTIONS = [Lock Transparent Pixel] / [Lock Image Pixel] / [Lock Position] / [Lock All]
+ BLENDING OPTIONS (Layer) = Adjustment of the “Transparency-Effect (i.e. Blending Mode)” of a layer that would create an aggregated effect with the
layer(s) / folder(s) of layer(s) below
+ OPACITY & FILL = Transparency of a layer or a folder of layer(s)
+ LAYER STYLE = Double Click a layer or a folder of layer(s) will bring up the [Layer Style Panel] for more options (e.g. Stroke, Color Overlay, Drop Shadow)
+ GROUP OF LAYER(S) (i.e. Folder Icon) = Similar to a “Folder”, a Group serves to categorize / archive layer(s) and any [Layer Style] applied on a Group will be
effective to all layer(s) within it
+ CREATE A NEW LAYER / DELETE A LAYER = Bottom of the [Layers Panel] or by dragging any layer(s) / folder(s) to the “New Layer Icon” / “Trash Bin”

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URSP1004 | FOUNDATION OF DIGITAL TECHNIQUES FOR URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN

IN-CLASS EXERCISE 9
PHOTOSHOP: BASIC FUNCTIONS & TECHNIQUES

1.4 BASIC PHOTO-EDITING TOOLS

A. MAKING OF PANORAMA
i. Choose [File] > [Automate] > [Photomerge]
ii. Browse to add [Source Files] (TIPS: The best result comes from a series of photos with more overlaps, less-wide-angle, and high coherence in exposure.)
iii. Explore different [Layout] options (TIPS: Often depends on the use of such panorama)
iv. Click [OK] (REMARKS: If you do not satisfy with the result, you have to discard the file and re-do it with different Layout Option)

B. REMOVE “UNDESIRED” OBJECTS FROM AN IMAGE (I) - CONTENT-AWARE FILL (AUTOMATION)

i. Select the Layer with object(s) you want to remove
ii. Use any of the selection tools introduced previously (e.g. Quick Selection / Shape-Marquee / Lasso Tools) to select the “undesired” object(s) (TIPS: One-by-one)
iii. Choose [Edit] > [Fill] to bring up the [Fill Panel]
iv. In [Contents] (i.e. Materials to be used for filling), use [Content-Aware]
v. Click [OK]

C. REMOVE “UNDESIRED” OBJECTS FROM AN IMAGE (II) - CLONE STAMP TOOL

i. Select the [Clone Stamp Tool] from the [Tools Panel]
ii. Move the Cursor to the area where you want to take reference for replacement
iii. Hold / Press [Alt (WIN)] or [Option (OS)] to change the Cursor into a [Target (i.e. a Cross Icon)] and Click the exact spot on the image
iv. Check / Uncheck the [Aligned] option
+ ALIGNED = The reference spot will move along in relation to the position of the Cursor / Brush
+ UNALIGNED = A stationary spot will be created and the reference source will always be the initial selection
v. Apply the [Brush] over the “undesired” object(s)
vi. Explore the [Size] / [Hardness] / [Brush Shape]

1.5 BASIC DRAWING TOOLS

LIST OF DRAWING TOOLS (FROM THE TOOLS PANEL)
i. [Brush Tool] and [Pencil Tool] = Pixel Manipulation
ii. [Paint Bucket Tool] = Application of Color / Pattern Fill (TIPS: Often used with Selection Tool)
iii. [Rectangle Tool] or Other Shape Tools = Shapes will be created as Closed Paths (TIPS: Allow further modification / resize without losing resolution of the object)
iv. [Pen Tool] = Creating Paths for more advanced manipulation (e.g. selection, fills, stroke)
v. [Eraser Tool] = Remove Pixel
vi. [Eyedropper Tool] = Sampling and capturing color(s) in an image as [Foreground Color]