How to Square up Artwork Using Photoshop Elements

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Open Photoshop.

   Your initial art photo will appear as the background layer. , Go to layer, select duplicate layer.
   
   Unless you title it differently, this is called the background copy. , Go to layer, select new layer, select transparent.
   
   These are called layers 1, 2, 3,
   4. ,,,,, It doesn’t have to be perfect, but make sure the lasso stays outside art. , Go to select, choose ‘invert’ so the area outside the art is active. ,, Check ‘strength’ just above work area.
   
   Make sure all areas are fully erased.
   
   For ease, set the eraser size to 1000 or
   2000.
   
   It is important to erase everything so problems don’t happen during the ‘distort’ phase later.
   
   If the background layer is visible during erasing, it will appear as if nothing was erased.
   
   Make background layer invisible by clicking eyeball next to layer. ,,,,, We are doing this because we want a straight line at the top so the art can be squared up accurately.
   
   Putting the rectangle on a separate layer will let you move the rectangle without moving the art too. , Select a color that is different than the art so it is easy to distinguish the art from the rectangle. ,, It doesn’t have to line up perfectly with the edge of your art because the rectangle can be moved later. ,, Fill the rectangle with color. , Fill the rectangle with color. , Is your art bowed? Are the sides curved? , We don’t need to correct the layers with rectangles since they are already straight. , Wait for tool to load. , Perfection is probably not going to happen.
   
   Try all the features.
   
   Remember, the objective is to get the sides of the art straight, the objective is not to make the art square. ,,, Use the move tool to move the rectangle up or down until it meets a top corner of your art.
   
   Since your art is not square, the rectangle won’t meet both corners so just make it touch one corner. , Use the move tool to move rectangle over until it touches one corner of art. ,,, Activate the background copy layer so work takes place on your art. , Click image, transform, distort. , Using the mouse on each corner, drag the corner and stretch the art until each corner touches a rectangle. , Is it square? Does it need adjustment? If problems still exist, repeat some of the steps. , Use the crop tool and draw a rectangle around your art. , Using the rectangles as a guide will ensure you get the right crop.
2. 2

   Step 2: Load the photo.

3. 3

   Step 3: Make sure layers are visible in your pallet bin on the right side.

4. 4

   Step 4: Create a duplicate layer of the photo.

5. 5

   Step 5: Create 4 transparent layers.

6. 6

   Step 6: Erase the excess from around your art.

7. 7

   Step 7: Turn off visibility of background layer using eyeball next to layer.

8. 8

   Step 8: Click background copy layer to make this is the active layer.

9. 9

   Step 9: Use the Lasso Tool to trace around your art.

10. 10

    Step 10: Complete the full lasso around your art.

11. 11

    Step 11: Erase everything except your art.

12. 12

    Step 12: Use the erase tool to remove everything except the art inside the lasso.

13. 13

    Step 13: Make sure the eraser is set to 100%.

14. 14

    Step 14: Select ‘deselect’ so the lasso is deactivated once erasing is complete.

15. 15

    Step 15: Create a straight line border around your art.

16. 16

    Step 16: Click layer 4 to activate.

17. 17

    Step 17: Select rectangular marquee tool.

18. 18

    Step 18: Draw a rectangle above your art that spans the width of the screen and stops just above your art.

19. 19

    Step 19: Use the paint brush tool or paint bucket tool to fill the area with color.

20. 20

    Step 20: Activate layer 3.

21. 21

    Step 21: Draw a rectangle down the full right side of your art.

22. 22

    Step 22: Fill the rectangle on layer 3 with color.

23. 23

    Step 23: Activate layer 2 and draw a rectangle below your art.

24. 24

    Step 24: Activate layer 1 and draw a rectangle on the left side of your art.

25. 25

    Step 25: Assess your art.

26. 26

    Step 26: Click on background copy layer so your art is activated.

27. 27

    Step 27: Go to filter

28. 28

    Step 28: select ‘correct camera distortion’.

29. 29

    Step 29: Manipulate the sliders to get your best result.

30. 30

    Step 30: Set up a square box around your art.

31. 31

    Step 31: Zoom in close to your art.

32. 32

    Step 32: Activate layer 4.

33. 33

    Step 33: Activate layer 3.

34. 34

    Step 34: Activate layer 2 and move rectangle up until it touches one corner of art.

35. 35

    Step 35: Activate layer 1 and move rectangle over until it touches one corner of art.

36. 36

    Step 36: Make the art square using the distort tool.

37. 37

    Step 37: Select the distort tool.

38. 38

    Step 38: Zoom in close to the art.

39. 39

    Step 39: Zoom out and look at the art.

40. 40

    Step 40: Crop the art.

41. 41

    Step 41: Zoom in close and move the crop so it matches up with the rectangles from layers 1-4.

Detailed Guide

About the Author