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Adobe Photoshop interface basics

Floating Palettes

On the right hand side of the Adobe Photoshop interface, you'll observe a series of window-like 'palettes' stacked one on top of another. These are commonly known as 'Floating Palettes' and can be used for a whole variety of tasks.

Moving floating palettes

After becoming accustomed to the basics of Adobe Photoshop, you might want to start modifying the arrangements of your floating palettes. You can easily relocate them about the interface window by left clicking on the blue bar along the top of each palette and 'dragging' them to the desired location.

Group/un-group a Floating Palette

You will notice that most palettes contain tabs, i.e. Channel/Paths/Layers. These tabs are separate palettes that have been grouped together. To up-group a palette, click and drag the relevant tab away from the group. To rejoin a palette to a group, simply drag the tab on to a tab within the group you wish it to associate it with.

Closing & Opening Floating Palettes

Your screen can easily become littered with floating palettes. To close a palette, simple click on the icon at the top right hand corner of the palette bar. If, later point, you wish to re-open a palette, visit the 'Window' menu and select it from the drop down list.

Tip: You will notice a button at the top right hand corner of each palette, just below the close button. This is an extended menu.

Left-click to open. A menu will drop down listing tasks unique to that particular palette. Make a point of familiarising yourself with these menus. There are plenty of powerful commands that will increase functionality.

Available Floating Palettes:

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