Photoshop Workspace and Interface Guide
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to:
- Navigate Photoshop's main interface areas and panels confidently
- Access and use AI-powered tools through the contextual taskbar
- Customise your workspace layout for better efficiency
- Switch between different AI models using the model selector
Introduction
Getting comfortable with Photoshop's workspace is your first step towards efficient photo editing. The interface might look overwhelming at first, but once you know where everything lives, you'll find it's designed to keep your most-used tools within easy reach.
This chapter covers the essential interface elements you'll use daily, including the newer AI tools that can speed up common editing tasks. We'll also show you how to arrange everything to suit the way you work.
Lessons
Lesson 1: Main Interface Areas
When you first open Photoshop, you'll see several key areas that make up your workspace:
Step 1: Open Photoshop and create a new document or open an existing image.
Step 2: Identify these main areas:
- Toolbar (left side) – Contains your selection, painting, and editing tools
- Options bar (top) – Shows settings for whichever tool you've selected
- Canvas (centre) – Where your image appears
- Panels (right side) – Layers, History, Adjustments, and other controls
Step 3: Click on different tools in the toolbar and watch how the options bar changes to show relevant settings.
The panels on the right are where you'll spend much of your time. The Layers panel shows all the layers in your image, while the History panel tracks every change you make.
Lesson 2: Working with AI Tools
Photoshop's AI tools can handle many tedious tasks automatically, saving you hours of manual work:
Step 1: Look for the contextual AI taskbar – this appears when AI tools are available for your current task.
Step 2: Try these common AI features:
- Content-Aware Fill – Removes objects and fills the space intelligently
- Sky Replacement – Swaps out skies with realistic lighting adjustments
- Subject Selection – Automatically selects the main subject in your photo
Step 3: Use each tool on a test image to see how they work.
The AI tools analyse your image and make smart decisions about how to apply effects. They won't always be perfect, but they give you an excellent starting point.
Lesson 3: Customising Your Workspace
Photoshop lets you arrange panels and tools exactly how you want them:
Step 1: Drag any panel by its tab to move it around the screen.
Step 2: Group related panels together by dragging one panel's tab onto another panel.
Step 3: Hide panels you don't use by clicking the 'x' on their tabs, or show hidden panels through the Window menu.
Step 4: Once you're happy with your layout, go to Window > Workspace > New Workspace and give it a name.
You can create different workspace layouts for different types of work – perhaps one for basic photo editing and another for more complex compositing work.
Lesson 4: Using the Model Selector
The model selector lets you choose which AI approach works best for your specific image:
Step 1: When using an AI tool, look for the model selector dropdown near the AI taskbar.
Step 2: Try different models on the same image to see how they handle things differently.
Step 3: Some models work better for portraits, others for landscapes or graphics.
Each AI model has been trained on different types of images, so switching between them can give you better results depending on what you're editing.
Practice
Open any photo in Photoshop and complete these tasks:
- Rearrange your panels so the ones you think you'll use most are easily accessible
- Save this arrangement as a custom workspace
- Use an AI tool (like Subject Selection or Content-Aware Fill) on your image
- Try switching between different AI models to see how the results change
FAQs
How do I get my workspace back to normal if I mess it up?
Go to Window > Workspace > Reset [workspace name]. If you want the original Photoshop layout, choose "Reset Essentials".
Why can't I see the AI tools?
AI tools appear contextually – they show up when Photoshop detects you might need them. You'll also need a recent version of Photoshop with an active subscription.
Can I use keyboard shortcuts to access panels quickly?
Yes, most panels have keyboard shortcuts listed in the Window menu. F7 toggles the Layers panel, for example.
Do the AI tools work offline?
Some AI features require an internet connection to work, while others process locally on your computer. Photoshop will usually tell you if a connection is needed.
Jargon Buster
Contextual AI Taskbar – A toolbar that appears automatically when Photoshop's AI can help with your current task
Model Selector – A dropdown menu that lets you choose between different AI approaches for the same tool
Workspace – Your saved arrangement of panels, toolbars, and interface elements
Canvas – The main area where your image appears for editing
Wrap-up
You now know your way around Photoshop's interface and can access both traditional tools and AI features. The key is spending time with the interface until moving between tools becomes second nature.
Set up your workspace to match how you work, and don't be afraid to experiment with the AI tools – they're designed to speed up your workflow, not replace your creative decisions.
Next, we'll look at how to work with images and basic adjustments to get your photos looking their best.
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