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USING PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 8
Photoshop Elements workspace
Last updated 7/26/2011
Using tools
A. Toolbox B. Active tool C. Hidden tools D. Tool name E. Tool shortcut F. Hidden tool triangle
More Help topics
“Keys for selecting tools” on page 281
Set tool preferences
1 Choose Photoshop Elements > Preferences > General.
2 Set one or more of the following options, and click OK.
• Select Show Tool Tips to show or hide tool tips.
• Select Use Shift Key For Tool Switch to cycle through a set of hidden tools by holding down the Shift key. When
this option is deselected, you can cycle through a set of hidden tools by pressing the shortcut key (without holding
down Shift).
Set the appearance of a tool pointer
1 Choose Photoshop Elements > Preferences > Display & Cursors.
2 Select a setting for the Painting Cursors:
Standard Displays pointers as tool icons.
Precise Displays pointers as cross-hairs.
Note: When not in Preferences, use the Caps Lock key to toggle the appearance of the Precise cursors.
Normal Brush Tip Displays the pointers as circles at 50% of the size you specify for the brush.
Full Size Brush Tip Displays the pointers as circles at the full size you specify for the brush.
Show Crosshair In Brush Tip Displays cross-hairs in the circles when you choose either Normal Brush Tip or Full Size
Brush Tip.
3 Select a setting for Other Cursors:
Standard Displays pointers as tool icons.
Precise Displays pointers as cross-hairs.
Set tool options
The options bar appears below the shortcuts bar at the top of the workspace. The options bar is context sensitive—it
changes as you select different tools. Some settings in the options bar are common to several tools, and some are
specific to one tool.
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