Creating Images

You can create a new image by creating a blank image or by using another image as a starting point.

For information on using other images, see Creating New Images from Existing Images.

When you create a new blank image, you select the image size and resolution, along with the color depth and background color and material. It’s important to choose a size and resolution that fits with your desired output type and output quality. For more information, see About Image Size, Resolution, and Color Depth.

To create a new image:

Access the New Image dialog by doing one of the following:
Choose File > New; or
Press Ctrl + N; or
Click the New Image button on the toolbar.

Choose the image dimensions:
To select a preset size for the new image, in the Presets drop-down list choose a standard size for print materials (such as 4” x 6” or letter) or computer screens (such as 640 x 480 pixels).
The Presets list defaults to the Last Used option, which specifies the settings that were used the last time you created a new image.
To create an image using specific dimensions, in the Image Dimensions group box, set the following options:

Units The units of the dimensions (pixels, inches, millimeters, or centimeters).

Width The width of the new image.

Height The height of the new image.

Resolution The resolution of the new image. Specify the resolution units (pixels/inch or pixels/cm) in the drop-down list.

In the Image Characteristics group box, select from these options:

Raster Background, Vector Background, or Art Media Background The type of the bottommost layer. Choose a raster background for most photographic applications. Choose a vector layer if you are creating vector graphics. Choose an Art Media layer if you are creating an image with the Art Media tools.

Color depth The color depth, or number of bits per pixel, of the image. For more information on color depth, see About Image Size, Resolution, and Color Depth.

Color Click in the Color box and set the background color or material.

For raster images, click the color box to select from the Material dialog (for 16 million color images) or the image palette (for images of all other color depths). To choose a transparent background (for greyscale or 16 million color images only), mark the Transparent check box.
For more information on choosing colors or materials, see Using the Materials Palette.
For vector images, you only need to choose the color depth. Vector images start with a transparent vector layer.

Note: The Memory Required field displays the amount of memory required for the image. Your computer should have at least two to three times this amount of RAM. To reduce the memory requirement, reduce the resolution or the dimensions of the image.

Canvas texture This is available only when Art Media Background is selected. Select a canvas texture from the drop-list, and then a fill color for the texture. (Uncheck the Enable fill color option if you do not want a fill the chosen texture with a color.) Art Media tool strokes applied to the texture will take on the properties (bumpy, smooth, etc.) of the texture you choose.

Click OK. The new image opens in the workspace.

Creating Images

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