Along the very top of Photoshop's interface is the Menu Bar. The Menu Bar is where we find various options and commands, all grouped into categories.

• • The menu bar consists of 11 items (left → right):
    •File • Edit • Image • Layer • Type • Select • Filter  • 3D • View  • Window • Help

  • Each of those main menus has additional submenus for related options. 

FILE:  Creating, Opening & Saving Work 

       Used for file management. 

📌 Rule of thumb: If it involves starting, saving, or exporting, it’s under File.   

Important Commands:

• New – Create a new document

• Open / Open Recent – Open existing files

• Close – Close the current document

• Save – Save changes

• Save As – Save a copy (different format/name)

• Export – Save files for web, social media, or devices

• Print – Print your project

EDIT:  Fixing Mistakes & Preferences 

  Used for undoing actions and adjusting settings.

📌 Most common student use: Undo and Free Transform

Important commands:

• Undo / Redo

• Step Forward / Step Backward

• Cut, Copy, Paste

• Free Transform – Resize, rotate, flip

• Fill – Fill areas with color or content

• Preferences – Customize Photoshop settings

IMAGE:  Adjusting the Whole Image

  Used for permanent changes to the entire image. (Destructive Editing)

📌 Important: These changes affect the entire image, not individual layers.

Key Tools:

• Image Size – Change resolution or dimensions

• Canvas Size – Add or remove space around the image

• Adjustments – Brightness, contrast, color, exposure

• Auto Tone / Auto Color

LAYER:  Working with Layers

  Controls layer organization and effects.

📌 Student tip: Always keep work unflattened until final export.

Essential Commands:

• New Layer

• Duplicate Layer

• Delete Layer

• Layer Style – Drop shadows, glows, strokes

• Merge Layers

• Flatten Image

TYPE:  Text Editing

 Used only when working with text layers.

📌 Tip: Text stays editable only if it remains a type layer.

Important options:

• Fonts

• Size

• Tracking & Leading

• Paragraph alignment

• Convert to Shape

SELECT:  Choosing Parts of an Image

 Used for making precise selections.

📌 Selections control where edits apply.

Common Commands:

• Select All

• Deselect

• Inverse

• Modify – Feather, expand, contract

• Color Range

• Subject

FILTER:  Effects & Image Enhancements

 Used for special effects and image processing.

📌 Best practice: Convert layers to Smart Objects before filtering.

Common Filters we use:

• Blur

• Camera Raw

• Sharpen

• Neural Filters

• Noise

• Liquify

• Filter Gallery

VIEW:  How You See Your Work

 Does not change the image, only the workspace view.

📌 Great for alignment and layout work.

Useful Options:

• Zoom In / Zoom Out

• Fit on Screen

• Rulers

• Guides

WINDOW:  Workspace Organization

 Controls panels and workspace layout.

📌 If a panel disappears, go to Window to bring it back.

Important Panels to know:

• Layers

• History

• Properties

• Color

• Brushes

HELP:  Learning & Troubleshooting

 Used for assistance and updates.

📌 Good resource for beginners.

Features Include:

• Photoshop help guides

• Tutorials

• Updates

• System information

Photoshop Menu Bar Quiz (Multiple Choice)

Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________________ Class: ____________________

Instructions

Circle the best answer for each question.

1. Which menu is used to create a new document or save your work?

A. Edit
B. Image
C. File
D. Window

2. Where would you go to undo a mistake?

A. View
B. Edit
C. Help
D. Filter

3. Which menu is used to change the size or resolution of an image?

A. Layer
B. Image
C. Select
D. Type

4. Adding a drop shadow to a layer is found under which menu?

A. Filter
B. Image
C. Edit
D. Layer

5. Which menu controls text options such as font and size?

A. Type
B. Layer
C. Window
D. Select

6. If you want to blur or sharpen an image, which menu should you use?

A. View
B. Filter
C. Edit
D. Help

7. Which menu allows you to select the entire image or deselect an area?

A. Image
B. Layer
C. Select
D. Window

8. Turning rulers or guides on and off is found under which menu?

A. View
B. Window
C. File
D. Help

9. If the Layers panel disappears, where can you turn it back on?

A. View
B. Window
C. Edit
D. File

10. Which menu provides tutorials and Photoshop help resources?

A. Help
B. File
C. Image
D. Filter

11. Free Transform is located in which menu?

A. Image
B. Edit
C. Layer
D. Select

12. Which menu would you use to export an image for social media?

A. Edit
B. File
C. Window
D. View

13. Flatten Image is found under which menu?

A. Image
B. Filter
C. Layer
D. Type

14. Zooming in without changing the image itself is controlled by which menu?

A. Image
B. Edit
C. Filter
D. View

15. Which menu would you use to open the History or Properties panels?

A. Window
B. Help
C. File
D. Select

Score: ______ / 15

Teacher Signature: ____________________________