Embedded Files
What are PS PANELS?
Photoshop panels are the floating or docked windows in Photoshop that give you control over different aspects of your project.
They allow you to access tools, adjust settings, manage layers, and organize your workflow.
Panels can be: Moved, Collapsed, AND Reset via Window → Workspace → Reset Essentials
Why are PS PANELS Important?
They allow efficient editing and workflow.
They provide quick access to key functions.
They are customizable, so students can arrange them for their project style.
Examples of Common Panels
Layers Panel – manage all layers in a project.
Tools Panel – contains painting, selection, and editing tools.
Properties Panel – shows options for the selected layer or object.
Adjustments Panel – add non-destructive image adjustments.
Color & Swatches Panels – pick and save colors.
History Panel – undo/redo edits and track actions.
Character & Paragraph Panels – control text formatting.
The Main Panel Column
The panels we generally used the most in Photoshop are found in the main column in the middle. By default, Photoshop opens three panels for us. At the top of the main column is the Color panel. Below the Color panel is the Properties panel. And at the bottom, we have the Layers panel. How do we know that we're looking specifically at the Color, Properties and Layers panels? We know because each panel has its name displayed in a tab at the top of the panel:
Photoshop displays the Color, Properties and Layers panels by default.
WHAT IF A PANEL IS MISSING?
Opening Panels From The Window Menu
All of Photoshop's panels can be accessed from the Window menu in the Menu Bar along the top of the screen. To re-open a panel after you've closed it, or to open any of Photoshop's other panels, click on the Window menu:
This opens a menu with, among other things, a complete list of every panel available to us in Photoshop. A checkmark beside a panel's name means that the panel is currently open and active on the screen:
STUDENT TAKEAWAY SUMMARY
Layers control everything
Properties panel changes with selection
Adjustments are non-destructive
Use Window menu to find panels
Workspace can always be reset
Page updated
Report abuse