Photoshop

Overview

Adobe Photoshop is a tool that helps in creating, manipulating, and editing image files. The program is an important tool for website and graphic designers. Adobe Photoshop was introduced in 1987 for the purpose of manipulating grayscale images. In the last two decades, the program has become more sophisticated.

Images are either picture or vector based. Photoshop deals with picture based images and Adobe Illustrator deals with vector based images. Photoshop allows users ultimate flexibility in creating and manipulating graphics. Designers of all skill levels can work with Photoshop to achieve desired results.

Photoshop costs about $600, and program upgrades cost $150. Students and teachers are eligible for product discounts.

Benefits

Photoshop can be used by beginning, intermediate, and advanced designers. Program users are able to use ultimate creativity for innovative designs. Features include nonlinear editing and the ability to create special effects such as textures and backgrounds. Photoshop has enabled 3D virtual reality techniques, which helps in creating more interactive websites. Photoshop's architecture also allows for the straightforward integration of plug-ins. Photoshop can also be used for animations. Users can purchase Photoshop as part of Adobe's line of products including Adobe Image Ready, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Encore, and After Effects.

Adobe Deals & Special Offers

How It Works

Adobe Photoshop incorporates pixel-based image editing, and Adobe Illustrator focuses on vector-based image editing. The program can read and write various image formats including EPS, PNG, GIF, JPEG and firework formats. Users can save a copy of their work in Photoshop's PSD (Photoshop Document) format so that they can view and edit the steps involved to produce the final images. In the language of graphic design, these steps are known as layers, which can include masks, transparency, spot colors, and text. Other file formats do not always allow users to edit individual layers. The Photoshop Document file format is used by competing applications.

Companies/Brands

Adobe develops and distributes Photoshop. You can find a more detailed product overview here. Independent institutions like Penn Foster Career School provide programs for you to earn an Adobe Photoshop Certificate online. Planet Photoshop provides tutorials, resources, and reviews.