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Window Arrange

ARRANGE WINDOWS FOR PHOTO COMPARISON

Problem:
To compare different photos and decide which one to keep, it would be convenient to have them open and visible at the same time. This is one way you can do that with Photoshop.

[1] Open the images you would like to compare. For maximum size on screen, you should only open two (2) at the same time but you can just as well start with four (4) or more and then work your way down to two (2). In following example, I have used 3 images and as you can see in the screenshot beneath, they are arranged using "Cascade".

[2] First of all, let's arrange them so that we can see all three (3) of them at the same time. Go to Window/Arrange/Tile Horizontally... which will arrange all the images open at the present. If you only have two (2), either choose "Tile Horizontally" or "Tile Vertically", depending on which fits your image better.

In my case, I wanted to compare the DOF (depth of field) in the middle of the image. To do that, select one of the images and zoom in to the location you want to examine. See the top right image on the screenshot beneath.

[3] With the zoomed in image selected, go once more to Window/Arrange... but this time choose "Match Zoom and Location". Now all images should show the same part at the same zoom but wait, there is more. If you want to pan around using the hand tool, click and hold the "Shift" key while you move an image and all of the other images will move accordingly. Pretty cool, right?

[4] If your screen space is limited and you need to see more of the images, use the "Tab" key to hide and reveal the Photoshop palettes. When the palettes are hidden, go to Window/Arrange/Tile Vertically... once more and you will be able to use the full screen.

[5] If you don't want to open the images and would prefer to compare them right in the Bridge, there is a way to do something similar. Go to File/New Window... and arrange the windows manually. Resize and re-arrange the windows and if you like to do this often, go to Window/Workspace/Save Workspace... to save your present layout. The next time you can simply load your own workspace and should be ready to compare your photos in matter of seconds.

Thanks to Russell Brown
Posted: October 14, 2005 (tested with PS CS2)