10 common habits you should break when worrking in Photoshop

10 common habits you should break when working in Photoshop

admin August 2,2017

common Photoshop mistakes

Photoshop is incredibly cool and interesting software because of the variety of functions inside. And that diversity also makes us feel confused in finding the best way. Therefore, we will mention the 10 common mistakes that everyone should avoid to use Photoshop more efficiently.

1 / Working on the same layer

Whether you retouch or anything else, I always recommend that you should work on different layers instead of using every effect for only one layer. The biggest problem here when working on a single layer is that you can not flexible return to the previous steps in case you want to edit them. So in order to save time and effort, we should set the habit of creating a new layer for each effect, naming them for the future search and editing to save time.

2) Using of Delete button and Eraser tool instead of using Mask

This is a bad habit that almost everyone has. Delete and Eraser Tool are the two most negative ways of using photoshop as they will completely erase the content you chose, making it very difficult to edit later, so I recommend you take full advantage of 3 functions below.

Pixel Mask
Vector Mask
Clipping Mask

The way to hide unwanted content is to use a mask. This way, we can edit, change our minds at any time and save time.

3 / Not use hot key

Not using a hotkey when working with Photoshop just like eating soup with a plate. We can enjoy the soup, but it will take more time rather than using a spoon. A real Photoshop user is a mouse user and the other hand is to dance on the “field” of the keyboard. And for anyone who wants to become a “keyboard hero” in the right sense, we will list some of the hot keys here.

Cmd / Ctrl + T – Free Transform
Cmd / Ctrl + S – Save
Cmd / Ctrl + A – Select all
Cmd / Ctrl + D – Deselect
Cmd / Ctrl + I – Invert colors
Cmd / Ctrl + Shift + I – Invert selection
Cmd / Ctrl + click on the layer’s thumbnail – Create a selection based on that layer.
Cmd / Ctrl + Option / Alt + A – Select all layers

Option / Alt + click between two layers – Clipping Mask

Cmd / Ctrl + G – Group Layers
Cmd / Ctrl + Shift + G – Ungroup Layers

common Photoshop mistakes

4 / Rastering to Pixel layer

Most of us have ever heard the Smart Object in photoshop but not everyone uses and understands their uses. The Smart Object appeared very early, Photoshop CS2 and thanks to that we can comfortably transform Smart Object as many times as we like, but still, retain the image quality rather than the normal Pixel layer. To explain this, you have to understand that when you move from a normal layer to a smart object, Photoshop will export that layer to a completely separate image file and use that file for all changes (scale, reflect, rotate, …)

When working with photoshop, we can not know in advance how many layers to transform and if we do not know the use of the Smart Object, our photo will lose sharpness. So, please do not hurry to rasterize layer.

5 / Not use Adjustment layer

This is no different than working on the same layer. If we choose Adjustment from the Image tab on the menu bar then you have unintentionally applied the effect you used on the selected layer and the worst of it is that you will not have a chance to edit them later. To avoid this time-consuming and troublesome problem, select “Adjustment” from the Window tab, a right-hand pane will appear for you to select the desired effect.

The interesting thing is that when you have selected the effect you want to use, Photoshop will create a completely separate adjustment layer, but unfortunately, that effect will be applied to the entire layer below. You can completely avoid this by doing the same thing as the Clipping Mask, which is using the Option / Alt + Button. Click on the Adjustment layer and the layer you want to apply the effect (Adjustment layer must be on the layer you want to apply). So that effect will only be applied to the selected layer.

6 / Mesy layout

As a regular user of Photoshop, it is very important that we arrange the layers in an organized, logical way. If you’ve fixed the first habit above then this will be the next thing you should know. Maybe at first, you will find that editing the name, color for each layer is time-consuming but trust me, if you are making a relatively long and complicated product then it will help you save a mount of time. Also, when you deliver a design file to your customers or other team members, it is better to clearly label each layer or group to make it more convenient.

7 / Not use Smart Filter

Smart Filter is different from the normal filter. Smart Filter allows you to hide or show the effect selected, in addition, to customize the details within the effect and apply blend mode that the normal filter can not. This is quite similar to using Adjustment layer?

8 / Moving the view in the workspace

To move the view in the workspace, many still use two sliders instead of the Hand tool or Space bar. This is quite inconvenient and time consuming when working in photoshop. I will list some hot keys so that you can find easier to move the view up and down, back and forward.

Space – Hand tool
Z + drag the mouse left, right – Zoom in and out
Hold H + click- General view
Cmd / Control + 0 – Fit to Screen
Cmd / Control + 1 – Back zoom 100%

9 / Not use Adobe Bridge

Adobe Bridge has been available in Photoshop CS2. This is software that supports other Adobe products in file management. If you are used to Bridge, you will find their convenience. In addition, Bridge also has the function of comparing two images, focus on any part of the picture.

10 / Not save files regularly

What is worse when it is about to be finished, the software or power off, “blue screen”? To avoid suppressed situations, you should always save the file continuously. The cmd/ctrl + S key combination only takes about 1 second.