Introduction
Adobe Photoshop does not only provide extended capabilities with the new features, but also a better workflow with the new document presets.

In this article, we will start by digging into how to use the presets feature in Photoshop CS4 to easily create different of documents.

Subscribe to this tutorial lists

Requirements:

Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended

To complete this tutorial, it is preferable to have a previous knowledge in Adobe Photoshop interface.

New Document dialog box:
To open the New Document dialog box, choose New from the File menu (CTRL + N) or (Command + N) in Mac (figure 01).

Figure01. New Document dialog box in Adobe Photoshop CS4

The New Document dialog box appears to add the new document information, and includes the following fields:
1-    The Name field, which lets you add the document name. You can the document later while saving your work.
2-    Preset, this field allows you to choose predefined document information those suite different types of documents, and we will talk about it later in this article.
3-    Width and height fields, these fields allow you to enter the width and the height of your document in pixels, inches or any other measurements units.
4-    The Resolution lets you choose the file resolution in either pixel/inch or pixel/cm (larger resolution produces larger size files)
5-    Color Mode lets you choose the color system of your files. For example, RGB for digital media and web graphics and CMYK for printing.
6-    Color depth lets you choose the color depth of your document.
7-    Background Content gives you the option to choose the type of the background layer, it can be white, background color or transparent.
8-    The Color Profile drop-down list lets you choose from the different color profiles included.
9-    Aspect ratio, which refers to the ratio between the width and the height of the document. This aspect ratio differs according to the output device. For example, while the Computer monitor uses the square aspect ratio (4:3), some computer screens are wide and use the 16:9 aspect ratio.

Document Presets:
The presets drop-down menu in the new Document dialog box gives you the ability to choose from predefined file templates for different output such as web, printing and video content, see figure 01.

Figure02. New Document presets drop-down menu

The Presets drop-down menu includes the following options depending on the file output:
1-    Clipboard, this option is only activated when you part of the image or have a print screen in the memory clipboard and want to add in a new file.
2-    Default Photoshop Size, this is the default size you see when you install Photoshop.
3-    U.S. Paper, this option includes different size of papers that follow the U.S. paper size standards.
4-    International Paper, This is the option that allows you to create a document that follows the international paper standards such as A2, A3 and A4 papers. You can choose these paper sizes from the Size drop-down menu under the Preset drop-down menu.
5-    Photos, this preset creates a document size that can be used for printing digital photos.
6-    Web, choose the web preset to create web document sizes such as web pages and banners.
7-    Mobile and Devices, this new option is for creating content on mobile.
8-    Film & Video, this option gives you variety of option that suite the video and broadcasting output standards.
9-    Custom, here you can choose your custom preset and save it using the Save Preset button.

Linking with Adobe Device Central CS3

Adobe Photoshop CS4 allows you to create more mobile and devices specific documents by communicating with Adobe Device Central CS4.
You can access the Adobe Device Central CS4 from the Device Central button in the New Document dialog box (figure03).

Figure03. Adobe Device Central CS4

In Adobe Device Central CS4, you can choose your mobile setting from the list and choose the Create button.

Where to go from here

We started here with the New Document dialog box in Photoshop CS4, the following articles with demonstrate how you can use Photoshop to easily create your creative work and enhance the workflow with the deep integration between Photoshop and other Adobe products like Flash, After Effects…etc.