User's Manual

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ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS2
User Guide
Working with backdrops
You can choose to show only the active layer in the preview image, or you can show additional layers in the preview
image as a backdrop. Using the Mode options, you can position the backdrop in front of or behind the active layer to
keep track of your changes, or to line up a distortion with another distortion made in a different layer.
Important: Only the active layer is distorted, even if other layers are displayed.
Showing the backdrop Select Show Backdrop, and then choose an option from the Use pop-up menu. If you use
All Layers, changes to the current target layer are not reflected in the backdrop layer. Specify an overlay opacity to
change the blending between the target layer and the backdrop. The mode determines how the backdrop and the
target layer are combined for the preview. Choose an option from the Mode pop-up menu.
Hiding the backdrop Deselect Show Backdrop in the View Options area of the dialog box.
Creating panoramic images using Photomerge
About Photomerge
The Photomerge™ command combines several photographs into one continuous image. For example, you can take
five overlappingphotographs of acityskyline, andthenassemblethemintoapanorama.The Photomerge command
can assemble photos that are tiled horizontally as well as vertically.
Note: P
hotomerge converts 16-bits-per-channel and 32-bits-per-channel images to 8-bits-per-channel images.
Source images (top), and completed Photomerge composition (bottom)
To open Photomerge compositions, choose File > Automate > Photomerge and then click the Open Composition
button. Choose the composition you want to open.
Taking pictures for use with Photomerge
Your source photographs play a large role in panoramic compositions. To avoid problems, follow these guidelines
when taking pictures for use with Photomerge:
Overlap images sufficiently Images should overlap by approximately 25% to 40%. If the overlap is less, Photomerge
may not be able to automatically assemble the panorama. However, keep in mind that the images shouldn’t overlap
too much. If images overlap by 70% or more, it can be difficult to work with them, and blending may not be as
effective. Try to keep the individual photos at least somewhat distinct from each other.
Use a consistent focal length Avoid using the zoom feature of your camera while taking your pictures.