Photoshop Elements is a powerful program.

So—there are lots of tools.

Great!

But—there are lots of tools.

Ouch!

Learning to use the tools is difficult.

No—not because they're difficult to use.

Yes—because the tools are hard to find.

You have to learn the icons.

Plus, some tools are members of tool families.

You can't see all the members of a tool family at the same time.

Only one tool icon is visible at a time.

Accessing Tool Families

To access all of the members of a tool family, look for the tiny black arrow in the lower right corner of the tool icon.

Then, do the following.

Windows

Right click on the tiny black arrow.

Mac

Most Mac mice only have a left-click button.

Some have both a left-click button and a right-click button.

Mouse Only Has Left Click

Press and hold Ctrl, and click on the tiny black arrow.

Mouse Has Right Click

Right click on the tiny black arrow.

Keyboard Shortcuts

The tools have keyboard shortcuts.

You just press one key, a letter.

Look for the letter in the parentheses after the name of the tool.

Learn z for the Zoom tool!

That's the most used tool.

A Tool Is Always Selected

A tool is selected at all times.

If you're not using a tool, "park" the tools on the Zoom tool.

Press z.

Scroll down, or click here.