Latin Roots Poster Tutorial
Part 1--Getting Acquainted with the Photoshop Work Area
Mr. DiConti's Example
Written Tutorial
The image you see below is the final product from the video tutorial ... make sure you click all the small photos below and read the notes alongside them. Pause and play (and rewind) the video often as I go through it very quickly.
Setting Up The Work-Space
This is review from the first video.
Remember, the Layers palette is very important.
Make sure you know what layer you're on at all times.
This is review from the first video.
Remember, the Layers palette is very important.
Make sure you know what layer you're on at all times.
New Document Dialogue Box
Width=8.5 inches
Height=11 inches
Resolution=72 p/i
Width=8.5 inches
Height=11 inches
Resolution=72 p/i
Setting Up The Guidelines
2 horizontal lines: pull down
2 vertical lines: pull across
2 horizontal lines: pull down
2 vertical lines: pull across
Large Rectangle
Use the guidelines to help you.
Notice the border.
Use the guidelines to help you.
Notice the border.
Type Your Latin Root
1. Type Tool
2. Click Once On Canvas
3. Type your Latin root.
4. Highlight (double click small "T" on layers palette) to edit.
5. Double click on layer to the right (Layer Styles--Drop Shadow, etc.)
1. Type Tool
2. Click Once On Canvas
3. Type your Latin root.
4. Highlight (double click small "T" on layers palette) to edit.
5. Double click on layer to the right (Layer Styles--Drop Shadow, etc.)
Making Text Boxes
1. One for Categories
2. One for Meanings
Note: remember, when you double click the small "T" in the layers palette, your text on the canvas will highlight. This means you can then edit the text: font family, size, color, etc...keep things consistent! Don't use every imaginable style.
1. One for Categories
2. One for Meanings
Note: remember, when you double click the small "T" in the layers palette, your text on the canvas will highlight. This means you can then edit the text: font family, size, color, etc...keep things consistent! Don't use every imaginable style.
Layers Styles
As I mentioned before, just double-click on the right side of any layer and the large Layer Styles palette will appear for that particular layer.
As I mentioned before, just double-click on the right side of any layer and the large Layer Styles palette will appear for that particular layer.
Making A Shape
In the video and photo, I make a triangle with my Polygon tool. Notice the amount of sides (3) that I circle in red. You can make any polygon or even a custom shape. Spend some time exploring this.
In the video and photo, I make a triangle with my Polygon tool. Notice the amount of sides (3) that I circle in red. You can make any polygon or even a custom shape. Spend some time exploring this.
White Arrow (Direct Selection Tool)
This is optional, but locate a "black arrow" in your tools bar, hold down the mouse click and you will see a hidden, white arrow underneath. (See the screenshot)
To use it, click on the "path" that makes your shape. By doing this, you should notice a small handle at each corner of your shape. Grab one and move it to a desired position to reshape your polygon.
This is optional, but locate a "black arrow" in your tools bar, hold down the mouse click and you will see a hidden, white arrow underneath. (See the screenshot)
To use it, click on the "path" that makes your shape. By doing this, you should notice a small handle at each corner of your shape. Grab one and move it to a desired position to reshape your polygon.
Getting Your Image
Go to "Google" and find an image that illustrates your Latin root.
Find one with a solid color background (white is common). You may even want to Google the words "with white background" in your search.
Having a white background allows you to Magic Erase away the white with one click.
Right click your image from the browser and choose copy. Go into your Photoshop canvas and simply paste: Ctrl + V. You will need to resize (Ctrl + T). Hold shift and drag the corner of the bounding box. Don't forget to hit "Enter/Return" to apply.
Go to "Google" and find an image that illustrates your Latin root.
Find one with a solid color background (white is common). You may even want to Google the words "with white background" in your search.
Having a white background allows you to Magic Erase away the white with one click.
Right click your image from the browser and choose copy. Go into your Photoshop canvas and simply paste: Ctrl + V. You will need to resize (Ctrl + T). Hold shift and drag the corner of the bounding box. Don't forget to hit "Enter/Return" to apply.
A Bad Photo
If your image contains similar colors as the background, it could become deleted when you use the Magic Eraser. Keep that in mind when choosing a photo.
If your image contains similar colors as the background, it could become deleted when you use the Magic Eraser. Keep that in mind when choosing a photo.
Using The Magic Eraser
As mentioned earlier, the Magic Eraser will erase the solid-colored background with one simple click. Find the regular eraser, and hold down the mouse click to find the embedded Magic Eraser (it looks like magic dust hovering over the eraser...).
As mentioned earlier, the Magic Eraser will erase the solid-colored background with one simple click. Find the regular eraser, and hold down the mouse click to find the embedded Magic Eraser (it looks like magic dust hovering over the eraser...).
Pen Tool
Study the photo sequences to the left...
1. Click one time to anchor the path. (see the anchor point)
2. Next, click again to some other place on the canvas. Hold the click and drag to create a curve.
3. You may need do this a couple more times depending on your sentence length.
4. Watch this step on the video a few times.
5. Get your type tool and click on the path.
6. When you see your flashing cursor, you know did it right. You can start typing.
Study the photo sequences to the left...
1. Click one time to anchor the path. (see the anchor point)
2. Next, click again to some other place on the canvas. Hold the click and drag to create a curve.
3. You may need do this a couple more times depending on your sentence length.
4. Watch this step on the video a few times.
5. Get your type tool and click on the path.
6. When you see your flashing cursor, you know did it right. You can start typing.
Edit Your Type
Remember, as before, just double click the small "T" in the layers palette to highlight and edit the type.
Remember, as before, just double click the small "T" in the layers palette to highlight and edit the type.
Self-Evaluate
You may want to make changes.
You may want to move around your individual elements.
You can drag layers above or below each other.
Overlapping helps define depth in a picture.
What about color? Use only about 2 or 3 different colors. I used mostly red variations and a "splash" of yellow for contrast. Notice my root word in the sentence is red. This serves as a focal point--it grabs the viewer's attention! More changes are shown below.
You may want to make changes.
You may want to move around your individual elements.
You can drag layers above or below each other.
Overlapping helps define depth in a picture.
What about color? Use only about 2 or 3 different colors. I used mostly red variations and a "splash" of yellow for contrast. Notice my root word in the sentence is red. This serves as a focal point--it grabs the viewer's attention! More changes are shown below.
The Final Look!
I decided to change the triangle's color and repeat the green in the word example. I added a rectangle underneath my required words. I also re-sized the girl and created overlapping between her arms and the terms.
Good Luck!!
I decided to change the triangle's color and repeat the green in the word example. I added a rectangle underneath my required words. I also re-sized the girl and created overlapping between her arms and the terms.
Good Luck!!
Flattening and Saving For Web and Devices
Flattening your image will reduce the file size!
Saving for web and devices: Doing this will allow you to take it home for keeps. Most of you don't have Photoshop, so you will want to convert it to JPEG. This will allow you to share in online or open it up at home.
