Photoshop is basically for creating and enhancing photos, images, 3D artwork, etc. But, creating a new document is the easiest of all while working in Photoshop. This is all you need to know about creating a new document in Photoshop CS6. However, older versions can also be used. So let’s get started!
Mac users Cmd/+N or ctrl+N for others, which will open a dialogue box to create a new file.
Type the intended name of the file in the name box. Do not use special symbols like colons (:), pipes (I), asterisks (*), slashes (/), angled brackets (<,>) or question mark (?) if PC is being used as these symbols are used by windows for its files.
Mac users are advised not to insert periods at the starting of the file as Mac makes it invisible and difficult to find the file. Do not use extensions at the end of the file name.
The Web, International paper, Default Photoshop Size, Photo, etc., are the predefined formats of photoshop. Web preset has a default size of 800 by 600. However, pixels are advisable over an inch, centimetres, etc.
“Clipboard” is where the selection is stored temporarily. Photoshop puts the height and width with the previously stored data.
Pixels by an inch or centimetre are defined as resolution of the document. Resolution and size of file are directly proportional, i.e., greater the resolution, larger will be the size of that document.
The magnified region in the above image has a lot of square-shaped objects which are called pixels. Bricks are for building. Similarly, pixels build images.
While on colour mode one can see various profiles, such as listed below:
Bitmap works only with either of the two colours, i.e.,., black or white. Most important mode when working with images that comprise on either of the aforesaid colours.
Grayscale: Works only with white, black and shades of grey. Greyscale works the best while processing images which are black and white.
RGB colour: One of the most used and popular mode in photoshop for everyday photos. It comprises of three colours which are red, green and blue between the scales of 0 to 255.
CMYK colour: It comprises cyan, magenta, yellow and black. It can be best utilised for digital printing.
Labour colour: It converts the original colour of the image into one which suits best for the human eye.
Bit depth and be found adjacent to the colour mode. It determines the quantum of colours in the photo. It is available in 1bit, 8bit, 16bit and 32bit.
1 bit and 32 bit are very rare. The greater the bit, the more capacity to hold the colour information. Therefore 16 bit is recommended for a new file. HDR or High Dynamic Range is 32 bit.
Background content is nothing but the colour opted for the background of the image/document. It can be changed whenever found necessary. In the image below, the background is transparent.
Colour profile is an instruction like, which is given to photoshop to use only specific kind of colour. It is recommended to leave the profile to default mode unless one has a thorough knowledge of it.
Pixel Aspect Ratio is the ratio that determines the shape of pixels. Square shaped pixels are best if working on a photo whereas, this pixel shape may give a distorted look in a video with ratio aspect being changed from 4:3 to 16:9.
Presets can be saved and used again without filling the information repeatedly by options on “save preset” and adjust accordingly after saving the preset.
Creating a new document is by far the easiest as compared to other functionalities in Photoshop. To conclude, creating document can be done hassle-free if the above instructions are adhered to and do not forget to experiment!