I have gotten totally spoiled by PSP versions 8 and 9. I know many people who have not switched to these new versions because there is such a change from version 7 to version 8. The change from version 8 to 9 is not as dramatic!
Many people have stated they do not like the extra steps they have to take in version 8 compared to version 7. However, I have found the extra steps are outweighed by the versatility of being able to customize Tool Bars. Also, I have created my own short cut keys for the tools I use the most. Being able to use the keyboard whenever possible is much easier for me than moving the mouse to the title bar, clicking on the item I want and dragging the cursor down the list in order to select the tool I want.
This is just how I did mine, but you will want to select your own preferences.
Toolbars and Pallets I always have showing:
- Toolbars
- Standard
- Status
- Tools
- My own customized one (I'll explain this in a bit.)
- Palettes
- Layers
- Materials
- Tool Options
What I really like is you can customize the bar on these with any tool you use.
Since I write a lot of tutorials for saving to Alpha Channels, I placed the tools I need for it on the Layer Palette Title Bar
Of course, I have also customized Shortcut Keys (We'll get to this in a bit.)
Customize Your Own Toolbar
I have the Jasc Standard Toolbar (which I have customized a little) at the top. The one I created for me is docked on the right. I am right handed, so it is convenient for me there. You may find you like it docked in another location or loose to move around on your workspace.
Ok, let's go for it!
First, make a list of the tools you use the most.
We will cover most of the things you will need to know in order to go back to any of the other Toolbars or Palettes and customize them to your needs.
- Right click on the top of any of the Titlebars or Palettes
- Select - Customize
- Select the second tab - Toolbars
- Click on the New button
- Type the Name you want on it.
- OK
- Keep the Customize window open
- Click on the first tab - Commands
- Here you will select the personal items you use most to put on your own toolbar.
- You may want to start with File and select what you need there and then move on. You can move the location after you get all the items on your toolbar.
- Just grab hold of the Command in the right window and drag over to the new Toolbar you just created.
- I placed three of the Commands from the File Categories in the example below. You can see on the little Toolbar to the right where the Browse, New and Open have been placed on it.
With the Customize window still open you may drag around the icons on the Toolbar you created (or any other) to place in order of convience for you.
Now that you know how to customize the Toolbar, you can continue to change any of the other Toolbars or Palettes to meet your needs.
NOTE: You need to always have the Customize window open to remove, move or add any commands to the Toolbars or Palettes.
To remove a command you do not use, just drag it off the Toolbar or Palette.
To add a command, drag it from the Customize window to the bar where you want it placed.
Go customize any of the other Toolbars or Palettes to meet your needs.
Shortcut Keys
I love this feature! I prefer using the keyboard whenever possible. To load from an Alpha Channel, I just tap Shift+A. For me it is much quicker than going through the steps of the Menu to get to the command for it. This really pays off for the extra steps I have to use in versions 8 and 9. I have found I can go through many tutorials so much quicker by using the shortcut keys I have selected than creating the tutorial using version 7.
Take note of any shortcut keys you already use and there commands. If you select one that is in use, it will show under Current Keys.
You may change these for your needs. However, if you are accustomed to these shortcuts already you want to be careful not to change them.
- Right click on the top of any of the Titlebars or Palettes
- Select - Customize
- Select the third tab - Keyboard
- Select the Category using the drop down
- Click on the Command you want to create a shortcut key for
- If it already has a shortcut assigned to it, you will see it under Current Keys. You can click on it and remove if you do not want to use the assigned shortcut.
- Click in the Press New Shortcut Key:
- Press the key or keys you want to use for the shortcut
- Click Assign button
I have you have found this tutorial helpful. Once you become familiar with the Shortcut key(s) you have assigned, you will probably find yourself zipping right through your creations and won't mind some of the extra steps required in versions 8 and 9.
Hope you have enjoyed this
tutorial.
