Photoshop Advice Needed

[Robster]

Im hopless with photoshop and I want to downsize an image I have scanned from a magazine for a very cool avatar.

The image isnt that big to start with originally, the problem being is its at the top of the page so I need to cut it out and then resize it but I cant seem to do it.

I get the messsage "layer is protected" so i tried removing some of the layers but it made it worse.

Im absolutley hopeless with P/shop so if you have advice then take it easy and explain it in laymans terms please

cheers

[bowser123]

Right, 1st off start from fresh.

Open a new page and choose layer, new. Name this new layer something. Make sure this layer is highlighted and then go file/import/choose your image.

Then edit/transform/scale.
This will allow you to scale your image. Press shift to keep it in proportion.

Your original error message is to do with you not having the correct layer selected and trying to do something I think.
BTW I'm on a mac with Photoshop 6.1 but it shouldn't make a difference as basic tasks like this seem not to change between versions.

Stu

[Robster]

before i have selected my image to use I cant select a new layer as the only option avaialible is "layer style".

should i open the image then select new layer??

Im using P/shop 7 btw on PC

[jiroczech]

I'd do it a bit a little differently.. Same basic idea as bowser123 but I've included how to crop your scan down to just the bit you want to use for your avatar..

First off open your scanned image.. Now you want to use the crop tool to crop your scanned document. To do this:

1. Select the crop tool (you can just press C to do this..). Drag a selection around the part of your scan you want - hold down SHIFT at the same time and your selection will be forced into a square, which is what you want cos you're going to resize it to be 64 x 64 later. Hit return to crop the selected area.

You should now have an image that consists of just the bit of the scan you want to use for your avatar. Now you want to resize it to 64 x 64 pixels

2. On the menu go to IMAGE > IMAGE SIZE and under PIXEL DIMENSIONS change the size to 64 x 64 pixels.

3. Save your image using the FILE > SAVE FOR WEB, just choose a default setting like JPEG MEDIUM or something.

Hope that helps.

[bowser123]

Yep, jirozech's method is by far the better method to perform your task Geo.
I missed the crucial part where you said it was to be an avatar, I thought you were just scaling an image to compose one big image.

As for creating new layers it was just layer/new layer from the top bar in my version. If this has moved, open up your layer bar (window/show layer) and click the little right arrow at the top of the layer bar.

[Robster]

Ive done it now and its perfect thansk for all the help guys, all I need to do now is find somewhere to host my avatar .

anyone.

[Fuddle]

i have mine on miamihost.net now, so far it seems a lot better than myimgs.com , where it only lasted a few days before i'd used my allocated bandwith for the month.

[Robster]

My photoshop quest is now over and my new avatar is there for all to see.

thanks to all who posted info and mt50 for hosting my avatar.

much obliged.

Virtual pints are on me lads.

cheers 8)