Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020 for Mac is an image editing and management software designed for photography enthusiasts and home users. Building on the core image processing capabilities of Photoshop, it features a simplified interface, powerful automation, and clear guided edits, allowing users to easily retouch, creatively composite, and organize photos without a professional background. This article provides an in-depth look at its interface, workflow, and operating tips.
I. Core Interface and Workspace Overview
After launching the software, you first enter the “Home” screen, which offers three core working mode entry points.
- Expert Mode: Provides a free editing environment closest to professional Photoshop, with layers panels, various tools, and detailed manual control options.
- Guided Mode: Completes specific effects (such as depth of field, photo merges, artistic effects) through step-by-step guidance, suitable for learning and quick application.
- Quick Mode: Provides the most basic sliders and tools for quickly correcting color, lighting, and clarity.
1.1 Expert Mode Main Interface Layout
- Top Menu Bar: Contains all advanced commands such as File, Edit, Image, Enhance, and Layer.
- Left Tool Panel: Gathers all editing tools such as selection, crop, healing, brush, and text. A small triangle in the lower-right corner of a tool icon indicates a hidden tool group.
- Right Panel Area: By default, it includes the “Layers” panel (for managing stacked elements), the “Effects” panel (for applying filters and layer styles), the “Graphics” panel, etc. You can open more via the “Window” menu.
- Bottom Photo Bin: Displays thumbnails of all images in the currently open project for easy switching.
- Central Workspace: Displays the image document currently being edited.
II. Complete Workflow: From Project Creation to Export
2.1 Create/Open a Project
Method 1: Create from the “Home” screen
On the “Home” screen, click the “Open” button to select an existing image, or click the “New” button and set the name, dimensions, resolution, and other parameters in the dialog box that appears to create a blank canvas.
Method 2: Drag and drop directly
Drag image files from Mac Finder directly onto the software icon or into the workspace to open them.
Shortcuts: Open (Command + O), New (Command + N).
2.2 Basic Editing and Adjustment
- Crop and Straighten: Select the “Crop Tool” (C) from the left toolbar. Set the aspect ratio or crop freely in the options bar. Drag the corner handles to adjust the area and press
Returnto confirm. Use the “Straighten” feature to correct horizontal lines. - Quick Auto Correction: In the “Adjustments” panel on the right in “Expert Mode,” click the “Auto” button under the “Quick” tab to adjust color and contrast with one click.
- Use Guided Editing: Click “Guided” in the mode switcher and select a category such as “Photo Restoration” or “Fun Effects,” then follow the on-screen prompts step by step to complete complex effects.
2.3 Advanced Editing: Object Removal and Compositing
- Remove Unwanted Objects: In “Expert Mode,” select the “Spot Healing Brush Tool” (J) from the tools panel. Set an appropriate brush size in the options bar and paint directly over the object you want to remove; the software will automatically sample surrounding pixels to fill in the area.
- Add Text: Select the “Horizontal Type Tool” (T), click on the image, and type. The “Text” panel on the right lets you adjust font, size, color, and alignment.
- Layer Operations: All added elements (text, shapes, adjustment layers) appear independently in the “Layers” panel. You can drag to reorder them, click the eye icon to hide them, or use blend modes to create overlay effects.
2.4 Saving and Exporting Your Final Work
- Save the Project: Choose “File” > “Save” (
Command + S) in.psdformat to preserve all layers and editing information for future changes. - Export to a Sharing Format: Choose “File” > “Save As.” From the format drop-down menu, select
JPEG(for web and sharing),PNG(supports transparent backgrounds), orTIFF(high-quality printing). In the dialog that appears, you can set image quality and dimensions. - Quick Share: Click the “Share” button in the upper right corner of the interface to directly export and send images via email or linked social media apps.
III. Advanced Tips for Common Features
Tip 1: Selective Color Adjustment
In “Expert Mode,” go to “Enhance” > “Adjust Color” > “Hue/Saturation.” In the dialog box’s dropdown menu, select a specific color range such as “Reds” or “Blues,” then adjust the sliders. This allows you to change only one color in the image (e.g., making the sky bluer) without affecting other parts.
Tip 2: Create a Panorama
In “Guided Mode,” select “Photo Merge” > “Panorama.” Click “Add” to import multiple consecutive photos with overlapping areas, then click “Process.” The software will automatically align and stitch the photos together to create a seamless panorama.
Tip 3: Batch Process Photos
In “Expert Mode,” select “File” > “Process Multiple Files.” Add the source folder and destination folder, then apply operations such as “Rename,” “Resize,” and “Convert Format” uniformly to efficiently process large numbers of photos.
IV. Common Issues and Solutions
Issue 1: The tool cursor has disappeared or turned into a crosshair.
Solution: Press the Caps Lock key to switch between the standard tool cursor and the precise crosshair.
Question 2: How can I quickly compare the before and after effects of applying a filter or adjustment?
Solution: When applying any filter or adjustment dialog, check the “Preview” option. Press and hold the left mouse button on the image to view the state before adjustment; release to restore the adjusted state, making real-time comparison easy.
Question 3: How do I undo an accidental operation?
Solution: Use the shortcut Command + Z to undo the previous operation. Press Command + Option + Z multiple times to step back through multiple operations. The History panel (Window > History) lists all steps and lets you jump directly back to any state.
V. Summary of Mac Shortcuts
| Function | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| New Document | Command + N |
Create a new project |
| Open Document | Command + O |
Open an existing image |
| Save | Command + S |
Save the current project |
| Undo | Command + Z |
Undo the previous operation |
| Multiple Undo | Command + Option + Z |
Step back through history operations |
| Copy | Command + C |
Copy the selection or layer |
| Paste | Command + V |
Paste clipboard contents |
| Free Transform | Command + T |
Scale and rotate the selection or layer |
| Merge Visible Layers | Command + Shift + E |
Merge all visible layers into a new layer |
| Select All | Command + A |
Select the entire canvas |
| Deselect | Command + D |
Cancel the current selection |
| Crop Tool | C |
Switch to the crop tool |
| Spot Healing Brush | J |
Switch to the spot healing brush tool |
| Brush Tool | B |
Switch to the brush tool |
| Type Tool | T |
Switch to the horizontal type tool |
| Zoom In/Out View | Command + (+)/Command + (-) |
Scale the image display ratio |
| Actual Pixels | Command + 1 |
View the image at 100% scale |
| Switch Screen Mode | F |
Switch between full screen, full screen with menu bar, and standard window |
