Problem solving
Exercise - layers in Photoshop
Download the Photoshop file PartyRacoon.psd . Open the file.
Your job is to make the picture you see when you open the file (Figure 1) look exactly like the picture in Figure 2:
Figure 1: What we see when we open the file.
Figure 2: What we want the picture to look like.
Strategies for problem solving
To solve this kind of problem it might be helpful asking yourself a set of questions. Below we have provided a few questions which could prove helpful.
Explore the questions, using the knowledge and experience you gained in the previous exercise in order to solve the problem. Don't be afraid to experiment! There is always an undo button!
Problem #1: Photoshop is huge - where do I start?
- Try analyzing the image shown in Figure 2. The image consists of three elements: A green background, a raccoon, and a party hat. Does the picture in your
file have the same elements?
- What kind of functionalities did you work with when following the instruction video from Assignment 1? Where was this kind of functionality located? Can
you use this functionality somehow when solving this problem?
Problem #2: I know where the functionality I need is located. What can I do in order to make the picture in my file look like the image in Figure 2?
- I can see that the palette I'm looking at has three elements (layers) with thumbnails and names that corresponds with the elements I identified when
analyzing the image in Figure 2.
- Does it matter in which order these elements (layers) are arranged?
- Are there any symbols or icons displayed next to some of the elements that differ from the other elements?
- Does anything happen if I click on one of the elements?
Problem #3: I have managed to arrange the elements: The raccoon is wearing the party hat, and is placed in front of the green background. The raccoon
does however look strange - almost like it's see-through. How do I fix this?
- Are there other functionalities or options located in this part of the user interface?
- Does any of these options seem related to the raccoon looking see-through?
- Does the settings of the element (layer) with the raccoon differ from the settings of the other elements (layers)? In what way?