Photoshop Architectural Rendering : 10 Essential Photoshop Tutorials and Tips for Architects
Photoshop Architectural Rendering is a necessary rite of passage for all architects. It’s the best tool for creating and editing images, hands down. But to an architect just starting out, it can be hard to navigate. What makes the task even more daunting are the hours upon hours of photoshop tutorials on the internet. Some of them might contain pertinent information, while others might not. Since everyone is using Adobe Photoshop, from graphic designers and photo retouchers to architects, it’s hard to find focused photoshop tutorials. Luckily, we’ve compiled all the essential tips and tutorials that every young architect needs to know to make the most of this multipurpose photo-editing application.
1- Use Layer Masks
Layer masks are the A-B-C’s of Photoshop. It’s necessary for all
photoshop users to perform edits without actually doing anything
destructive to the main layer itself. This allows the workflow to be
seamless and easy. Layer masks allow you to change the color of an
object in a layer or make parts of a layer visible or invisible. There
are plenty of photoshop tutorials that cover the subject, so be sure to
check them first thing.
2- Be Sure to Save a Temp File
This should be a no-brainer but having a temporary file of your work
is essential. In an age where everything is digital, nothing is truly
safe unless you have a back-up. Having a temp file will save you loads
of trouble as files can become corrupt. Plus, having an old file as a
reference can be useful to look at for further designs.
3- Batch Process
Sometimes, you’ll find that you have to perform tasks in bulk, and
this can be tedious, especially, if you have to reformat or resize
images. Luckily Photoshop’s Image Processor can be used to speed up the
process: (access via File > Scripts > Image Processor). All you
need to do is specify the source, select the task you want to implement
and then specify a destination file for the output.
4- Make Actions
Now Actions (access via Window> Actions) go further than batch
processing. This is because what actions can do is allow you to perform
your own specific adjustments on several files. You start by recording
all the adjustments you’re doing to one image. Then, you stop the
recording and allow Photoshop to make the same adjustments to the files
in bulk. This particular hack is a lifesaver when you have a bunch of
files to edit all at once.
5- Shortcuts upon Shortcuts
Accessing everything from the toolbar can get cumbersome, but knowing
your way around the application’s shortcuts will save you a lot of time.
Besides, with practice, using shortcuts will be second nature to you.
Photoshop tutorials usually make a point to mention them for reference.
Furthermore, if you just can’t get the hang of them, there are keyboard
covers that are specially made to denote the shortcut commands until you
learn them fully. When you get those down, you’ll be able to create
architecture presentations with ease
6- Name Your Layers but Isolate them too
When you’re working on a file for hours, eventually, you’ll find that
your workflow is a series of layers. The only way around this is to
organize your layers and name them. This way you won’t have to endlessly
fish for them every time you have to perform an adjustment. Another
thing worth doing is to isolate your layers. To bring your focus to one
layer and hide the others, click on the eye (or layer visibility) icon,
within in the layer box, while holding the Alt key. Hiding all the
layers except for the one you’re working on will definitely make your
workflow less hectic.
7- Use Adjustment Layers
Adjustment layers allow you to perform edits to a layer without
affecting the original image. Adjustment layers can alter colors, hue,
saturation, and several other aspects of an image. To make sure that an
adjustment layer is affecting only one layer and not all of them, simply
hold down the alt key and click on the layer below. That way only this
one layer below will undergo the adjustment. There are loads of
Photoshop tutorials on what you can do with Adjustment layers so be sure
to cover the ins and outs of this function at length.
8- Rotate the Canvas
Sometimes while working on an image, you may need to view it from
different angles and perspectives. By holding on the R key and rotating
with the mouse, you can quickly rotate the canvas. Holding on the R key
again and clicking on reset view allows you to return back to the
original state.
9- Use Groups/folders
This is another important organizational choice for the layers panel.
For the stack to be easier to navigate, grouping layers together can be
quite handy. It is an easy way to make sure that your layers are sorted
and organized; you know, exactly, what goes where.
10-Open and Extend Your History
By accessing the history panel in your toolbar, you can see the list
of changes you made to the file. Photoshop also allows you to return to a
particular, previous state by clicking on any item in the list. Also,
if you’re prone to undoing a lot, you can extend your history up to 1000
actions. Go to Edit>Preferences>Performance, but beware of the
effect of this process on memory usage and performance.
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