Photoshop User - USA (2021-02)

ACCURACY: Take advantage of the ongoing editability

of functions such as adjustment layers, Camera Raw

smart objects, and smart filters to help create more

accurate masks. For example, deliberately (and temporarily)

over-adjust an image so it’s easier to make a selection

(or paint on the mask), and then either remove or re-edit

the adjustment.

EFFICIENCY: When you’ve created a document using

nondestructive methods, you can use the results both in

the same document or another document. As mentioned

before, it’s usually quicker to tweak an existing setting

than to start completely from scratch.

CREATIVIT Y: An often-overlooked advantage of working

nondestructively is how much it can open the door to

creative freedom to experiment. By nature, Photoshop

is a linear program, meaning you do Step 1, Step 2, and

Step 3, and you can then undo those steps in reverse

order: Step 3, Step 2, and Step 1. But implementing

nondestructive methods means you can do many more

If at all possible, avoid using such com-

mands as Erase, Delete, Rasterize, Merge,

and Flatten. These are the polar opposite

of working nondestructively, and will put

an abrupt halt on your ability to change

your mind or experiment.

steps and then go back and tweak whatever you want,

in any order, for example: Change the adjustment layer

you added in Step 3, turn off the smart filter you added

in Step 7, or lower the Opacity of a layer that was the first

thing you started with many steps ago.

It’s much less likely that you’ll find yourself painted into

a corner with no further options when you fully embrace

working nondestructively.

©Adobe Stock/konradbak

PHOTOSHOP USER

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