The Photoshop Elements Menu Bar

Lesson 1: Getting Around in Photoshop Elements 4

The menu bar consists of nine menus: File, Edit, Image, Enhance, Layer, Select, Filter, View, Window, and Help.

You may notice that some menu commands are followed by ellipses (...). This indicates a command that is followed by a dialog box where you can enter additional settings. Anytime input is needed from the user, it is presented in a dialog box. Some menu commands are followed by a right pointing arrow. This indicates a submenu of related commands. Create a New Photoshop Elements Document You will need to navigate a menu, submenu, and dialog box in order to open a new, blank file.

1. Click File in the Menu Bar and then New, and then the "Blank File..." command.
2. The new document dialog box opens. The default settings are for a 5x7 image at a resolution of 72 in RGB color mode, and a white background.
3. Click OK in the new document dialog to accept the default settings. You'll need an open document to explore the menu commands.

Take a few moments now to look at each of the menus, starting with the File Menu. As you explore each menu, be sure to take a look at the submenus as well. You'll also notice that many commands are followed by keyboard shortcuts. Gradually, you'll want to get to know these keyboard shortcuts as they can be incredible time savers. As you make your way through this course, you'll be learning the most useful keyboard shortcuts as you go.

Throughout this course, I will use the following syntax for instructions which involve navigating menus in Photoshop: File > New > Blank File.

To the far right of the menu bar, you will have a help search box. Anytime you need help with a task in Elements, you can type your search here to quickly access the Help system.