new features in Elements 2018 revealed

use the new Elements 18 tools to open eyes, make tricky selections and create fun effects

01 Open the eyes

Open elements_before_1 into Photoshop Elements 2018 and click on the Expert tab. Grab the Eye tool. Click ‘Open Closed Eyes’ in the lower options. Click ‘Choose From: Computer’ and navigate to the other image supplied. Click it to replace the closed eyes.

02 start a guided edit

Click on ‘Guided’ in the workplace tabs at the top, then click the ‘Fun Edits’ tab and choose Double Exposure. The steps on the right will guide you through the process. Begin by clicking the Crop tool button then use it to crop in slightly tighter to the face.

03 Use new auto-select

Next select the face (or the main object in your photo). We can use the new ‘Auto Select’ tool (available in the main Elements toolbar alongside the Magic Wand) to begin our selection. Click Auto-select then use the Lasso tool to drag a rough selection around the face.

04 improve the selection

Click ‘Refine Edge’ in the Auto-select tool options, then hit F until you get the on-white view. Grab the brush from the Refine Edge box and paint over the edges to increase the refinement. Try checking Smart Radius and upping the Radius slider until happy.

05 Blend a PHOTO

Now the fun part. Load your own photo for the blend, or use one of the three photo options on offer - forest, city or sky. Adjust the Intensity slider if desired, and use the Move tool button to fine-tune the position of the image. If desired, hit Cmd/ctrl+t to resize.

06 tone and tweak

Click the Effects button at the bottom and experiment with the eight presets, using the Intensity slider below to adjust. When you’re happy, click Next. Now either save the image or go to Expert Mode, where you can pick the effect apart by looking through the layers.