Layers are an essential element of Photoshop and a bit complex to master. But once you get the hang of it, it will make your work a breeze to go through. Layers can be used for images as well as brush strokes, text, background colors, filters, and patterns. Layers as the name suggests are stacked on top of each other to create a final product. You can compare layers to transparent paper pieces laid over each other. You can modify a layer individually without affecting the others. This lets you make edits to individual elements saving a lot of your time. If you are working on multiple layers at a time, then do name and organize them to eliminate confusion.

How to Access Layer Tool

The Layer tool is located at the top left side of the menu bar. You can also access it from the bottom right-hand corner of the Photoshop screen.

How to Use Adobe Photoshop Layer Tool for Best Results

1. To add a layer click “Layer” from the top menu bar. The path is

Layer > New > Layer.

2. For deleting the top layer, go to Layer> Delete Layer.

3. To create another layer, click on the + icon located on the lower right side of the screen.

4. Create a copy of the layer by selecting an existing layer and then clicking on Duplicate Layer. The path is  Layer > Duplicate Layer. 

5. For hiding or showing the layer, click the “eye” icon for toggling between the two.

6. Deleting a Layer is also easy in Photoshop. Select the layer you want to delete from the Layers Panel and consecutively press the Delete key on the keyboard.

7. Press (Ctrl +A ) on the keyboard and select all the layers for the group. The path is  Layer> New > Group

8. Double-click one of the layers in the group and name the group.

9. Merge layers by selecting them and then Layer> Merge Down. 

10. Add effects to your layers like borders, and drop shadows through layer styles.

The next tool on our photoshop tutorials for beginners is the Select tool. With it, you can select individual elements as well as entire graphics. The select tool works only when a layer is highlighted. A flashing dotted line indicates the highlighted areas. When using this tool, always remember which layer you are working on. 

How to Access Select Tool

The Select Tool is located in the mid-left side of the menu bar between “Type” and “Filter”.

How to Use Adobe Photoshop Select Tool for Best Results

1. To select a specific image to use in a new project, open the image in Photoshop. 

2. Use the select tool to highlight the area of the image you want to copy.

3. Then right-click and copy and cut the area.

4. Now you can use this image to create a new layer to work on.

5. For this, click on the tab for your new project and paste the cut or copied image. 

The next tool on our adobe photoshop tutorial is the Color & Swatches tool. This is a powerful tool that lets you create vibrant visual content and unify your color schemes. With this tool, you can use, copy, modify, and save custom colors for your project. 

How to Access Color and Swatches Tool

The color and swatches tool module is located by default at the top right-hand corner of the Photoshop screen. You can also access it from the bottom left of the toolbar, where it is shown by two overlapping boxes.

How to Use Adobe Photoshop Color and Swatches Tool for Best Results

1. Open the tool by double-clicking on the module on the top right or the “overlapping boxes” icon on the bottom left.

2. Create customized color by adjusting the vertical spectrum of color with a slider on it.

3. Add your customized created colors to your “Swatches” by clicking “Add to Swatches.” This helps you reference and reuse them for your projects.

4. You can also select specific color swatches by typing that particular hex value and also through RGB or CMYK values.

The next tool on our photoshop tutorials for beginners is the Custom Fonts and the Text tool. With this tool, you can add custom fonts to your database, and access the advanced font settings to create stylized texts. 

How to Access Custom Fonts & The Text Tool

The customs fonts & the text tool is located near the bottom left side of the toolbar. 

How to Use Adobe Photoshop Custom Fonts & Text Tool for Best Results

1. Double-click the tool icon to access the setting and font options. 

2. Now, you can change the font, font size, character spacing, width, height, color, and style. 

3. To add text to a graphic, click the “T” icon on the left sidebar and a text box will appear.

4. Drag this text box over the area you want it to appear, and your job is done.

5. Photoshop generates a layer for a text box, whenever it is created. You get different options like choosing a size, color, stroke, and font style among others to optimize it.

With this tool, you can paint with brush strokes of different colors, shapes, and sizes. This helps you achieve a range of visual effects and add exciting visual accents to your projects. 

How to Access Custom Brushes & The Brush Tool

You can access this tool from the toolbar on the left of the screen.

How to Use Adobe Photoshop Custom Brushes & the Brush Tool for Best Results

With the brush tools, you can change the brush size, color, hardness, and opacity of your brush from the wide range of pre-installed brushes available. You can also install custom brush tips of your own.

To load a new brush, use the following path.

Window > Brushes> Pen Tool

Or

Window > Brushes> File icon

With the Pen tool, you can create anchor points and custom selections.

The next tool on our adobe photoshop tutorial is the Move tool. With this tool, you can move the individual elements of a graphic by selecting them first. It is quite helpful for repositioning text, and images among other design elements.

How to Access the Move Tool

You can access this tool from the top left of the toolbar.

How to Use Adobe Photoshop Move Tool for Best Results

1. To move a specific object, first click on the Move Icon from the menu bar.

2. Next drag the specific object you want to move. For additional options, right-click the object.

3. If you want to move all the objects from a specific layer, then highlight the layer. Next use the move tool. 

The next tool in our photoshop tutorials for beginners is the Eraser tool. 

The Eraser tool consists of Basic, Background, and Magic Eraser tools.

a. Though technically an eraser, the Basic Eraser tool has several brush functionalities too. You can also play with the size and hardness of the eraser tip to get different effects, like fades and blending. 

b. The Background Eraser tool saves time by eliminating background color from your images. It uses color differences to erase unwanted background areas from your content. If you need an object with a transparent background then use this tool for the best results.

c. The Magic Eraser tool can modify similar pixels all over an image. This is especially helpful when you are unable to edit the pixels for any reason like locked transparency. It will change the pixels to the background color or erase them to transparency.

How to Access the Eraser Tool

You can access the eraser tool from the mid of the vertical toolbar on the left side of the screen. You can access the Background and Magic Eraser tool by clicking and holding the Eraser icon. A slide-out menu appears and you can make your selection then.

How to Use Adobe Photoshop Basic Eraser Tool for Best Results

1. Click the Eraser icon to access all its settings that will appear at the top of the screen.

2. With the help of the settings, you can change the eraser’s hardness, size, and aspects to achieve the desired results.

3. Before you start erasing, ensure that you have selected the layer you want to work on. Eraser works only when you have selected a layer specifically for the work. 

How to Use Adobe Photoshop Background Eraser Tool for Best Results

1. Access the Background Eraser tool by clicking and holding the Eraser icon. 

2. Choose “Background Eraser” when a slide-out menu appears.

3. Select the layer you want to use the Background Eraser on.

4. Adjust the size of the eraser and click on the color you want to remove from the layer. 

5. Background Eraser removes only the selected colors from an image. It does not erase the colors that you have not selected. So, you can use oversized eraser tips for saving time without worrying about removing other colors by mistake.

How to Use Adobe Photoshop Magic Eraser Tool for Best Results

1. Access the Magic Eraser tool by clicking and holding the Eraser icon. 

2. Choose “Magic Eraser” when a slide-out menu appears.

3. The “Tolerance” text box lets you remove the range of colors by entering the number in it. 

4. With the “Anti-aliasing” checkbox you can opt for smooth versus jagged edges for the erased selection.

5. With the help of the “Contiguous” checkbox, you can erase the pixels touching the pixel color you select. 

6. The “Sample All Layers” checkbox helps you sample the color to erase. 

7. With the help of the “Opacity” slider in the Tool Options Bar, you can adjust the opacity of the erased pixels. A lower opacity selected, partially erases the pixels while selecting a 100% opacity completely erases the selected pixels. 

The next tool on our adobe photoshop tutorial is the Fill tool. It was previously known as the Paint Bucket tool. With this tool, you can fill any solid area with the color you want. It is ideal for creating solid backgrounds or for coloring large areas. You can also use it to apply patterns to the images. The Fill tool also contains the “Gradient Tool” with which you can create faded backgrounds in different colors.

How to Access the Fill Tool

You can access the Fill tool by clicking on the “Layer” from the top menu bar on the left. Then use the following path. Layer > New Fill Layer. Next, you get the options for “Solid Color,” “Gradient,” or “Pattern.”

How to Use Adobe Photoshop Fill Tool for Best Results

I. Filling a solid area with your choice of color:

a. Select the layer you want to work on.

b. Next click the “Layer” from the left side of the top menu bar and use the following path.  Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color.

c. A “New Layer” window appears next.

d. Name this new color fill layer with any name you want and press “OK”. 

e. Now, the “Color Picker” window will appear, from where you can select the solid color you will like to fill.

II. For Applying patterns to the images:

a. Select the layer you want to work on. 

b. Next click the “Layer” from the left side of the top menu bar and use the following path.  Layer > New Fill Layer > Pattern.

c. A “New Layer” window appears next.

d. Name this new color fill layer with any name you want and press “OK”. 

e. Now, the “Pattern Fill” window will appear, from where you can select a pattern and its scale.

III. For using the Gradient tool:

a. Select the layer you want to work on.

b. Next click the “Layer” from the left side of the top menu bar and use the following path. Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient.

c. A “New Layer” window appears next.

d. Name this new color fill layer with any name you want and press “OK”. 

e. Now, the “Gradient Fill” window will appear, from where you can select the angle, style, scale, and other options.

f. You can also select other gradients than the default one by clicking the arrow on the right-hand side of the default gradient provided.

g. It will open up the “Gradient Editor”, from where you can make the selections.

So, these are some of the essential photoshop tools that will make your photo-editing tasks easier.

Photoshop Tutorials for Beginners– Some Other Photoshop Tools in Brief