Adobe Photoshop User Guide / Handbook

The Adobe Photoshop User Guide is the official reference for mastering Adobe’s industry-standard image editing and compositing software. It covers essential tools, layer management, selections, retouching, color correction, and advanced techniques such as masks, filters, and generative AI features. Designed for designers, photographers, and digital artists, the handbook provides step-by-step instructions, best practices, and workflow guidance for creating professional-quality visual content across print, web, and digital media.

Adobe Inc. — Photoshop Product Management and Technical Documentation Team

1. Introduction
• About Adobe Photoshop
• System Requirements and Installation
• New Features and Updates Overview

2. Getting Started
• Understanding the Photoshop Workspace
• Panels, Tools, and Menus
• Customizing Preferences and Shortcuts
• Opening, Saving, and Managing Files

3. Working with Images
• Image Resolution, Size, and Canvas
• Cropping, Straightening, and Transforming
• Color Modes and File Formats
• Managing Layers and Layer Groups

4. Selections and Masks
• Selection Tools and Techniques
• Quick Mask and Select and Mask Workspace
• Refining Edges and Transparency
• Layer Masks and Vector Masks

5. Retouching and Correction
• Spot Healing, Clone Stamp, and Patch Tools
• Removing Objects and Blemishes
• Adjusting Exposure, Tone, and Color Balance
• Content-Aware Fill and Neural Filters

6. Painting and Drawing
• Brush Settings and Presets
• Working with Gradients and Patterns
• Custom Shapes and Pen Tool
• Blending Modes and Opacity Control

7. Typography and Design
• Adding and Formatting Text
• Working with Paragraph and Character Styles
• Smart Objects and Vector Layers
• Layouts for Print and Web

8. Filters and Effects
• Using Filters and Smart Filters
• Blur, Sharpen, and Stylize Effects
• Lighting and Texture Effects
• Generative AI Tools (Generative Fill, Expand, Remove)

9. Compositing and Advanced Techniques
• Layer Compositing and Masking
• Adjustments and Blending Strategies
• Color Grading and LUTs
• Working with 3D and Video Layers

10. Automation and Workflow
• Actions and Batch Processing
• Using Adobe Bridge and Camera Raw
• Integration with Illustrator, Lightroom, and After Effects
• Cloud Documents and Collaboration

11. Output and Export
• Preparing Images for Web, Print, and Mobile
• Color Management and ICC Profiles
• Export Options and File Optimization

12. Appendices
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Troubleshooting Common Issues
• Glossary of Terms
• Additional Adobe Resources and Tutorials