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Before we actually learn about the methods which can be used to zoom in and out of images, let's try to determine first your current zoom level. Just like anything in Photoshop, there are several ways you can do this. The first way is by looking at the very top of the document window. Using the image on the left (click on any image to enlarge), you should see [DSC00056.JPG@100% (RGB/8)]. DSC00056.JPG is the image's filename and 100% is your document's zoom level. Remember that zoom levels are always expressed in percentages.
Using the same image, look at the bottom left corner of the window. This is another way you can determine your zoom level. In this case, its telling us that the we're viewing the image at a zoom level of 100%. The difference between the zoom level found at the top and at the bottom is that the information on the top of the document is for information purposes only. If you want to change your zoom level, you will have to manually change it at the bottom of the document window. Just type it in, no need for the percentage sign and Photoshop will adjust the view according to the value you specified. While this is easy for some, changing your zoom level this way can be tiresome especially if you're in the middle of editing.
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Another way you can zoom in and out of images is through the
menu bar. When you click the
view menu, you will be able to see the standard
zoom in and
zoom out commands. You can also see the
Fit to Screen command which allows Photoshop to zoom to a level it needs to fill the entire screen with the image. Clicking the
actual pixels command will zoom the image to 100% its size. The
print size will show you how the image will look like when it is printed. In reality, however, the last option isn't very helpful and is probably one of the least used commands in Photoshop. There are also several keyboard shortcuts you can use to access these commands:
- CTRL and +: zoom in
- CTRL and -: zoom out
- CTRL+0: fit to screen
- CTRL+ALT+0: actual pixels
Using the view menu/keyboard shortcuts, Photoshop will zoom in/zoom out at increments. It you're viewing an image at 25%, when you zoom in, it will jump to 33.33% zoom level, then to 50%, then 66.67% and finally into a full 100%. Of course you can continue zooming beyond 100%, Photoshop will allow you to zoom to as much as 3200%. Using the view menu/keyboard shortcuts is the easiest and most convenient way you can zoom in and out of your image.
Continue on to page two to learn about the zoom tool and the hand tool.
