Adobe Photoshop interface basics

The Tool Palette

Think of the 'Tool Palette' as a box in which you keep a collection creative tools. It contains all of the necessary utensils you will need for any image restoration or manipulation project.

At first glance, you could be forgiven for thinking that there are only 22 or so at your disposal. However many other excellent tools are hidden beneath others.

Wherever you encounter a small black arrow to the bottom right of a tool, there will be others beneath it. To reveal hidden tools, simply 'right click' (PC Only) or click and hold down your primary mouse button over a marked icon. Other items will now appear within an expanded menu. Left-click on the desired item to select it.

Please note: You will find that all tools will have a letter of the alphabet beside it's title. This signifies the quick-key reference for that tool. In many cases a group of tools may share the same allocated letter of the alphabet. Hold down the shift-key and press and repeat the associated character to scroll through each tool within that group.

The following interactive illustration is a complete break-down of all items within the Tool Palette (Adobe Photoshop Ver.7). To reveal the name of any tool, allow your cursor to rest over it. Click on each icon for a brief description.