Terminology

Let's make sure we're all speaking the same language! Here are some terms you need to understand for Yearbook creation:

PhotoShop	The graphics program we use to edit pictures and create collages. You can also use it to create pages or parts of pages for the Yearbook, usually when you want complex graphics and not much text.
YearTech Online	The software at Yearbookavenue.com that allows us to create the pages that go in the yearbook.
Windows Explorer	A program in Windows that lets you organize files and folders.
Upload	Move files from your computer to another one (e.g. your pics to Yeartech Online)
PSD file	The type of file PhotoShop normally saves. These files are HUGE because they’re not compressed and they preserve each layer separately. If you use layers to make your page (e.g. a collage, or text added to a picture), you MUST save as both a PSD and a JPEG so you can make changes.
JPEG file	A compressed version of a graphics file. JPEGs are small and therefore good for uploading, storing on cameras etc. You can only upload JPEGs to YearTech Online, not PSDs.
Excel document	A spreadsheet with rows and columns – a good way to keep track of info like lists of names, schedules etc.
Word document
File Extension	The part of a filename that tells the computer what kind of file it is. E.g. school.jpg - .jpg extension tells us thatb this is a JPEG file. Never change this when you change the filename.
DPI, 300 DPI
Page Size 8.5 x 11
Pica
RGB and Grayscale
PhotoShop Techniques
Cropping	Cutting away unwanted parts of a picture to make a smaller rectangle, usually done in Photoshop.
Level Adjustment	Adjusting the highlights, midtones and dark areas to make them lighter or darker. You should do this to every picture you put in the Yearbook. Use Ctrl-L in Photoshop
Selection	Marking parts of a picture (e.g. a face and hands) in Photoshop. You can use several tools including the magnetic lasso to select an area. Then you should zoom in and add or subtract missed areas of the selection. You can also set a feather setting to make the selection have a soft edge. Once you’ve got a selection, you can adjust it (e.g. Levels), leaving the rest of the picture unchanged.
Copy/Paste to same or new document	Once you select part of a picture, type Ctrl-C to copy it. Then go to another picture file and type Ctrl-V to paste it in as a new layer.
Resizing – Limits (don't enlarge) and proportional technique (Shift)	You can change the size of a layer you’ve pasted in. Just hold the Shift key down and drag the corner of the layer to make it smaller. NEVER resize without holding shift (it goes out of proportion – too fat or skinny), and NEVER make a layer bigger than it originally was (it will print poorly, looking grainy)
Layer	A part of a Photoshop picture that can be changed indepently – moved around, resized, levels adjusted, erased, rotated and so on. It makes it easier to create a collage. Layers are only saved separately if you save as a JPEG.
Layer transparency	You can make a layer (part of your picture) semi-transparent using the Layers palette.
Layer Order	The order of layers in the Layers palette determines what’s on top (in front) of what. Slide one layer another if you want it to be hidden behind parts of it.
Brush Size and Softness adjustment
Eraser
Cloning to erase
Setting Font, colour of text
Text Filters (e.g. embossed)