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Glossary
Here you will find a collection the key words you might associate with image editing and graphic design, that are applicable to both Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
Composite
Digital compositing is the process of digitally assembling multiple images to make one final image, typically for print, motion pictures or screen display.
Layers
A layer is simple a separate layer of information, that can sit above of below another on the canvas. Think of each separate layer, as a separate piece of paper. Layers allow you to freely organise any element on the canvas, separately and independently from one another.
Canvas
The canvas is the area in which your artwork lies. The size of the canvas can be determined when you open a new document, or modified by going to Image > Canvas Size, from the File menu at the very top of the screen.
RGB
The Digital colour mode. Created using combinations of three colours, (Red, Green and Blue, called "RGB") the primary colours of LIGHT, which computers use to display images on your screen, by emitting light.
CMYK
The Printing presses colour mode. Uses the primary colours of PIGMENT or ink, (Cyan (blue), Magenta (red), Yellow and Black, called "CMYK") based on paper’s ability to absorb and reflect light.
Resolution
Pixel dimension or screen resolution is the amount of individual pixels a screen can display. More pixels means more detail.
Pixel
In digital imaging, a pixel (or picture element) is a smallest, individual unit of measurement, and generally thought of as the smallest single component of a digital image. A pixel is a tiny visual representation of a piece of data, arranged in a 2-dimensional grid, or ‘map’ of dots or squares.
Cm/Mm
Centimetres and millimetres are the universal measurements of length in the metric system, equal to one hundredth of a metre, and are used to determine the dimensions of common international paper sizes. Common paper sizes are A4 (210mm x 297mm) and A3 (297 x 420)
Bitmap
A BITMAP is simply a digital image or photograph, made up onscreen of millions of individually coloured tiny pixels of data (or dots) that make an up an image. Therefore think of a photo or image on your computer as a digital ‘map’ of each tiny ‘bit’ of data.
Opacity
A layer’s opacity is basically the degree to which a layer is visible. If its opacity is 100% is it fully visible. If it is 0% it is not visible at all.
Further Photoshop Resources
About Adobe Photoshop
Background Information and Getting Started
Photoshop Interface
Keyboard Shortcuts
Tool by Tool
Adding Effects and Filters
Further Illustrator Resources NOT FINISHED
About Adobe Illustrator
Background Information and Getting Started
Interface
Keyboard Shortcuts
Tool by Tool
Adding Effects and Filters
Download
Download the full Photoshop Help File as a PDF
Download the full Illustrator Help File as a PDF
