Photopea: A Quick Start Guide

Certainly! Photopea is a powerful and free online photo editing tool that offers many features similar to Adobe Photoshop. Here’s a comprehensive tutorial to get you started:

Getting Started with Photopea

1. Accessing Photopea

   • Go to Photopea's website using your web browser.

2. Interface Overview

   • Menu Bar: Located at the top, includes File, Edit, Image, Layer, etc.
   • Toolbox: Positioned on the left side, contains tools for selection, drawing, and editing.
   • Layers Panel: Found on the right, shows all your layers and allows you to manage them.
   • Properties Panel: Depending on the selected tool or layer, you’ll see various options here.

Basic Functions

1. Opening Files

   • Go to File > Open or drag and drop an image file directly onto the workspace.

2. Creating a New Project

   • Select File > New. Set your desired width, height, resolution, and background color. Click Create.

3. Using Tools

   • Move Tool (V): Select and move layers or objects.
   • Marquee Tool (M): Make rectangular or elliptical selections.
   • Lasso Tool (L): Freehand selection.
   • Magic Wand Tool (W): Select areas of similar color.
   • Brush Tool (B): Paint and draw on your canvas.
   • Text Tool (T): Add text to your image.

Editing Images

1. Cropping and Resizing

   • Crop Tool (C): Drag to select the area you want to keep and press Enter.
   • Resize: Go to Image > Image Size to adjust dimensions and resolution.

2. Adjusting Colors

   • Brightness/Contrast: Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast.
   • Levels: Image > Adjustments > Levels. Adjust the sliders for shadows, midtones, and highlights.

3. Layer Management

   • Creating New Layers: Click the New Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel or go to Layer > New > Layer.
   • Layer Effects: Double-click a layer to open Layer Style options (like drop shadows, glows, etc.).
   • Layer Masks: Add a mask by selecting the layer and clicking the Add Layer Mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.

4. Using Adjustment Layers

   • Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer for adjustments like brightness, contrast, hue/saturation, etc. Adjustment layers allow non-destructive editing.

Text and Typography

1. Adding Text

   • Select the Text Tool (T), click on the canvas, and start typing. Use the Properties panel to adjust font, size, color, and alignment.

2. Text Effects

   • Highlight the text layer and use Layer > Layer Style for effects like shadows, strokes, and gradients.

Exporting Your Work

1. Saving Your Project
   • Save as PSD: Go to File > Save as PSD to retain all layers and settings for future editing.
   • Save for Web: Go to File > Export As and choose formats like JPEG, PNG, or GIF. Adjust quality settings as needed.

Tips and Tricks

1. Keyboard Shortcuts

   • Ctrl + Z (Cmd + Z on Mac): Undo.
   • Ctrl + T (Cmd + T on Mac): Free Transform.
   • Ctrl + J (Cmd + J on Mac): Duplicate Layer.

2. Using Guides and Rulers

   • Enable rulers via View > Rulers. Drag from the rulers to create guides.

3. Utilizing Layer Blending Modes

   • Experiment with blending modes in the Layers panel to achieve different effects.

Advanced Features

1. Filters and Effects

   • Explore Filter > Filter Gallery for various artistic effects and adjustments.

2. Creating and Using Actions

   • Record repetitive tasks using Window > Actions. Click Create New Action, perform your tasks, and stop recording.

3. Working with Smart Objects

   • Convert layers to smart objects for non-destructive scaling and editing by right-clicking the layer and selecting Convert to Smart Object.

Troubleshooting

• Lag or Performance Issues: Try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser if Photopea runs slowly.
• File Compatibility Issues: Ensure your file formats are supported. Photopea supports PSD, XCF, Sketch, and various image formats.

This tutorial should cover the basics of getting started with Photopea and help you with more advanced features as you get comfortable with the platform. Happy editing!