Creating documents

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To start an image from a blank canvas, you must create a new document. This allows you to specify canvas settings, such as width, height, orientation, and resolution. The size of the canvas determines the size of the image when it is printed. When you create a new document, first set the resolution, and then specify the width and the height. Increasing or decreasing the resolution affects the document size in inches, however, the total number of pixels in the image remains constant. For more information about resolution, see Understanding resolution. To quickly get started, you can choose from a list of preset canvas settings. However, you can also specify custom settings, which you can save as a preset for future use. You can specify the canvas color and texture. If you are planning to paint with a Thick Paint, Watercolor, or Liquid Ink brush, you can create the layer type you need and set canvas visibility right in the New Image dialog box.

You can also assign an RGB color profile to your document. For more information about color profiles, see Color management.

Canvas size and aspect ratio

When you set the canvas size, choose options that correspond to the image’s destination. If you plan to print your work, the canvas dimensions determine the size of your artwork when it is printed. Consider the largest size at which you plan to print your artwork, as well as any smaller copies that you may need.

You can resize the canvas (left) to prepare an image for printing (right).

It is always better to start with a bigger canvas, because you can decrease the width and height of your image at any point without affecting its quality. A large size makes it easier to preserve image detail if you need to produce a smaller version of the image. However, if you start with a smaller image and then increase the image dimensions, the application inserts new pixels between existing pixels, and their colors are based on the colors of adjacent pixels. If you increase image dimensions significantly, images may appear stretched and pixelated.

When choosing a canvas size, make sure your document has the proper aspect ratio that will allow you to print to common canvas and paper sizes without cropping your artwork (for example, 8 in by 10 in, 11 in by 14 in, 16 in by 20 in, 18 in by 24 in, etc.).

For example, you can set the resolution of a new image at 300 pixels per inch (ppi), the width to 16 inches, and the height to 24 inches. This large size makes it easier to maintain image quality when you need to produce a smaller version of the image.

Note that the bigger the canvas size and resolution, the more pixels there are in a brushstroke, and the harder it may become for your computer to process it. To ensure optimal brush and application performance, experiment to find the largest canvas dimensions that work best for your painting and for your software and hardware configuration.

For information about resizing images, Resizing images and the canvas.

Pixels-per-inch (ppi) is equivalent to dots per inch (dpi).

The maximum canvas size is 16 382 x 16 382 pixels. To prevent performance issues, start with a canvas that is smaller than 16 382 x 16 382 because layers expand when paint and effects are applied close to their edges.

To create a new document

 

You can also
Change the unit of measurement for the document	Choose a unit of measurement from the Units list box.
Change the document size	Type values in the Width and Height boxes.
Change the number of pixels-per-inch (ppi) or pixels per centimeter that make up an image	Type a value in the Resolution box. Note: When you work in inches (or centimeters), as you change the resolution, the pixel count remains the same, however, the width and height of the image in inches (or centimeters) are automatically adjusted.
Change the resolution type	Depending on whether you are working in inches or centimeters, choose an option from the list box located to the right of the Resolution box.
Change the orientation of the document	Click the Portrait or Landscape icon in the Orientation area.
Change the color of the canvas	Click the Canvas Color selector, and choose a color from the color picker.
Change the texture of the canvas	Click the Paper selector, and choose a paper texture from the Papers panel.
Start painting on a layer	Enable the Start painting on a layer check box, and choose an option from the Layer type list.
Hide the canvas	Enable the Hide Canvas check box. Note: If the Start painting on a layer check box is disabled, the Hide Canvas option is grayed out.
Choose a color profile	Choose an option from the Color Profile list box.

In the New Image dialog box, setting the document’s pixels-per-inch is equivalent to setting its dots per inch (dpi). For more information, see Understanding resolution.

To create a custom canvas preset

A custom canvas preset is not a template. Unlike a template, it does not allow you to store any content. A custom canvas preset allows you to store only canvas dimensions, resolution, color, and texture.

You can delete a canvas preset by choosing the preset name from the Canvas Preset list box and clicking the Delete button .