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joshoho
Participant
December 17, 2018
Answered

How to see reference images off of artboard in Photoshop CC?

  • December 17, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 59205 views

Hi,

I have been using Photoshop and Illustrator for awhile.  I really like how I can have as much stuff (photos, vector art, text, etc) outside of the artboards in Illustrator.  I have long wished I could do this in Photoshop.

Recently, I was watching a tutorial for Photoshop painting on Lynda and the author dragged a bunch of references files off of his artboard and onto the dark gray nether space (the non artboard area) and you could still see them! Mind blown.  But this does not work for me.

When I place a file into my Photoshop -most recently, a photo of a wing for reference) - I cannot drag it off of the artboard and still see it.  It disappears.  This is annoying.  I would like to use my entire artboard space for drawing and have the reference just off to the side.  How do I duplicate my Lynda friend's method of having visible layers (references) in the off-artboard nether space?  (He does not say how in the video) :{

Help appreciated!

    Correct answer lambiloon

    Hi i checked at Photoshop CC 2019 just make document using artboard if you move it side of canvas it will go its nothing special.

    2 replies

    A
    andrewq28697161
    Participating Frequently
    July 17, 2019

    Hi,

    Having a similar issue.

    Downloaded  PS 20.0.5 and now all of my Nion artboard text is pixillated.

    In the old version it was always smooth. Cannot find a way to anti alias it again. All the smooth options do not work. It is like the font smoothing is turned off.

    barbara_a7746676
    Community Expert
    barbara_a7746676Community Expert
    Community Expert
    December 17, 2018

    You could choose Image > Reveal All, but once that command is chosen there is no quick way to change the canvas back to its original size unless you immediately undo.

    J
    joshohoAuthor
    Participant
    December 17, 2018

    Barbara,

    Thank you for the reply.  The reveal all solution seems to be the only thing I can find when googling.  Perhaps it will help if I show a screenshot of the tutorial?  Because I do not believe the artist giving the tutorial is using Reveal All.  He just drags his images right off of his artboard like so:

    lambiloon
    Community Expert
    lambiloonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 17, 2018

    Ah, I see!  So, when making a new document, I have to check the box to make it an artboard doc.  Thanks, lambiloon!  Just in case anyone wants a little more info:

    How to Use the Artboards Feature of Adobe Photoshop CC 2018

    Anyone know if there is any particular reason why all Photoshop docs are not automatically artboards like in Illustrator?  It seems only the mobile and web presets have the artboard function checked in the new document window.  Just wondering if there will be any unforeseen consequences to using artboards for illustration purposes.


    Because Photoshop is pixel base they can merge if editing done at same page while illustrator is vector base computer generated art in easy way.

    Thank you

    Ali Sajjad / Graphic Design Trainer / Freelancer / Adobe Certified Professional
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