Mary Jackson Pitts, Ph.D.

 

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mpitts@astate.edu

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Creating Titles In Adobe Photoshop

 

Important Concept:

 

Remember what we discussed in class about “Layers”.  Everything image that you place in your document will be on a different layer.  You can find them in the “Layers Window”.  The “Stacking Order” of the layers determines which layer will be on top, or visible.  Also, the eye symbols located directly to the left of the individual layers will make the layer visible or invisible.

 

  1. Every time you create a title, you need to create it from the template document named NTSC DV 720 x 480.  The document is located on the Shared Folder.  In order to get it, follow the instructions in the “Shared Folder Instructions” document located on Dr. Jackson Pitts web site.
  2. The simplest way to begin is to double click on the NTSC DV 720 x 480 document.  Adobe Photoshop will open along with the NTSC DV 720 x 480 document.  You should now go to the file menu and click on file, from the pull down menu select, Save As.  A menu will pop up prompting you to choose a file name, and a location to save the document.  Save it under your personal folder, under documents and click on save.  You will want to periodically save your document. 
  3. Now, you can proceed to open the image(s) either exported from Adobe Premier, or documents you created yourself in the same manner, i.e. double click on them.  Remember, if you use a document you created yourself, its dimensions must be 720 x 480.  If you do not know how to ensure that your images are the correct dimensions, refer to the document labeled “Scanning and Cropping Images in Adobe Photoshop”.
  4. You will now have multiple images open.  Select the arrow tool located in the top right-hand corner of the Tools palette.  Remember, if you can’t find a particular pallet, or window, go to the file menu and choose window, and then the particular item you want to use.  It will then become visible.  After selecting the arrow tool, click the one of the extra images you opened, other than the NTSC DV 720 x 480 image, and then hold down your mouse over the image, and drag it into the NTSC DV 720 x 480 image.  Now close the image you just dragged by clicking on the square button in the upper left hand corner of the image.  Using the arrow tool you can move the image you just dragged into the NTSC DV 720 x 480 image until it fits properly.  Do the same thing with any other images you have opened.  Remember to keep all elements you wish to be viewed on screen within the title safe area.
  5. Your document will now have several different layers.  Under the Layers window, you can label each layer so they can easily be identified.  To do so double click on the layer, and change the layer name in the menu that pops up.  Do the same thing with every other layer in your document.
  6. You should now drag your layers up or down according to the proper “Stacking Order” for your document.  The title safe image should be on top, with individual images following, and the background picture as the bottom layer.
  7. Once you have stacked your layers properly, you may want to resize individual images.  To do so, select the layer you want to resize, and then go to the file menu and click on Edit, Transform, Scale.  A bounding box will appear around your image.  Click and hold on a square in one of the four corners, and press the shift key.  Move the bounding box to the appropriate size.  Now click on the arrow tool on the tool pallet.  You will be prompted to accept changes.  Choose yes.  Your image will resize.
  8. To insert text, select the text tool on the Tools pallet, and then click reasonably close to where you want your text to appear on the image.  The text dialogue box will appear.  Make sure to select an appropriate font from the font pull down menu located at the top of the box.  Also, no text should be smaller the 80 point.  Remember, each time that you use the text tool, Photoshop places it in a new layer.
  9. Click on the dialogue box and type the first line of your title.  You will see a preview of the text on your image.  When completed select OK.  Every line of text you use should be in it’s own layer.  When you have inserted every line of your text, you should then use the arrow tool to arrange them properly on your image.
  10. Once the images have been placed properly, select the first text layer and then go to the file menu, and select Layer, Effects, Drop Shadow.  The Drop Shadow Effects box will appear.  Make sure that the preview box is check marked, and then manipulate the controls until you are happy with the results. 
  11. You should now click the eye symbol on the layer that contains the title safe image.  The title safe image should disappear.  Go to the file menu, and select, File, Save.
  12. You should now go to the file menu and select Layer, Flatten Image.  Now return to the file menu and select File and Save As.  You should name the title as something else, and select from the format pull down menu located at the bottom of the menu, PICT.  Click on save.
  13. You are now ready to import your title into Adobe Premier.