Photoshop is one of the most popular design programs out there, but how well do you really know those top menus?
There are so many tools available in Photoshop, and the list of commands is seemingly endless. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer scope of this program, but just take it in one step at a time. In this article, we’re going to talk about the Window menu and what it has to offer us.
Photoshop’s Window menu is known best for where you’ll find all of the available panels, but it also has some great hidden features that are easy to overlook. Let’s talk about just a few of them:
- Adobe Color Themes
- Consolidate All To Tabs
- Workspaces
Adobe Color Themes in Photoshop
Adobe Color Themes is a fantastic color palette builder, and it’s built right into Photoshop. It allows you to create completely custom palettes, and even save them to your Adobe Libraries.
This extension can even help you choose colors based on different color rules.
Consolidate All To Tabs in Photoshop
Have you ever found yourself in Photoshop with dozens of headshots of Joey Korenman floating around? Just me? Well, if you ever do find yourself in this predicament, you can quickly move all those open images back to tabs by going up to Window > Arrange > Consolidate All To Tabs.
New Workspace in Photoshop
Everyone has a specific way that they like to work. The tools they use, how they use them, and how they lay them out. That’s exactly what Workspaces are for. You can customize Photoshop’s panels and tools however you most like them, and then save that layout as a Workspace. Once you’re happy with the layout, click on Window > Workspaces > New Workspace to save that layout.
Depending on what type of work you’re doing, you may prefer different layouts with easy access to specific panels. Create as many layouts as you’d like with Workspaces and switch between them at any time through the Window > Workspaces menu.
I’ve been using Photoshop for almost two decades (I’m... getting so old), and I’m still finding new features and commands I wasn’t aware of before. It’s a constant learning process, so don’t be discouraged if you feel like Photoshop is just too big of a program. Taking it a little bit at a time will snowball into a personal knowledge base that’ll help you develop an efficient workflow. And now you can add making color palettes, organizing multiple windows, and creating custom workspaces to that list.
Ready to learn more?
If this article only roused your appetite for Photoshop knowledge, it seems like you'll need a five-course shmorgesborg to bed it back down. That's why we developed Photoshop & Illustrator Unleashed!
Photoshop and Illustrator are two very essential programs that every Motion Designer needs to know. By the end of this course, you'll be able to create your own artwork from scratch with tools and workflows used by professional designers every day.
Dive into real-time 3D with our Unreal Engine beginner's course by Jonathan Winbush. Master importing assets, world-building, animation, and cinematic sequences to create stunning 3D renders in no time! Perfect for motion designers ready to level up.
Explore this Course ➔
Unlock the secrets of character design in this dynamic course! Explore shape language, anatomy rules, and motifs to craft animation-ready characters. Gain drawing tips, hacks, and Procreate mastery (or any drawing app). Ideal for artists seeking to elevate their craft.
Explore this Course ➔
Elevate your freelance motion design career with our guide to client success. Master a repeatable method for finding, contacting, and landing clients. Learn to identify prospects, nurture leads, and develop a thriving freelance philosophy amidst chaos.
Explore this Course ➔
Rev up your editing skills with After Effects! Learn to use it for everyday needs and craft dynamic templates (Mogrts) for smarter teamwork. You'll master creating animated graphics, removing unwanted elements, tracking graphics, and making customizable templates.
Explore this Course ➔
Stand out with Demo Reel Dash! Learn to spotlight your best work and market your unique brand of magic. By the end, you'll have a brand new demo reel and a custom campaign to showcase yourself to an audience aligned with your career goals.
Explore this Course ➔
Illuminate your 3D skills with Lights, Camera, Render! Dive deep into advanced Cinema 4D techniques with David Ariew. Master core cinematography skills, gain valuable assets, and learn tools and best practices to create stunning work that wows clients.
Explore this Course ➔
Master After Effects at your own pace with Jake Bartlett's beginner course. Perfect for video editors, you'll learn to create stylish animated graphics, remove unwanted elements, and track graphics into shots. By the end, you'll be equipped for everyday AE needs and more.
Explore this Course ➔
Revolutionize your Premiere workflow with customizable AE templates! Master creating dynamic Motion Graphics Templates (Mogrts) in After Effects to speed up your team's work. By the end, you'll craft easily-customizable templates for seamless use in Premiere Pro.
Explore this Course ➔
Not sure where to start?
If you’re a beginner, here are some great courses to help you get started:
After Effects Kickstart
Dive into the fundamentals of motion design with our most popular (and recently updated) After Effects course.
Photoshop + Illustrator Unleashed
Master the basics of Photoshop and Illustrator and gain invaluable insights in this introductory level course.
Design Kickstart
An introduction to the design principles behind all great work.
More Advanced?
If you’re a more advanced student looking to up your game, here are some great options:
Animation Bootcamp
Learn the art and principles of creating beautiful movements in Adobe After Effects.
Design Bootcamp
Learn to design for motion in this intermediate-level, project-based course.
Cinema 4D Basecamp
Learn Cinema 4D from the ground up in this exciting introductory C4D course.
Now is the time to learn the skills you need to advance in your motion design career:
