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Combining images in Photoshop using Photomerge

Chris Orwig

This video shows you how to create a panoramic image using Photomerge in Photoshop, and you also learn how to manage layout options.

Requirements

To follow along with this article, you will need the following software and files:

• Adobe Photoshop CS3
• Adobe Bridge CS3
• Sample file (ZIP, 3.4 MB)

Watch this tutorial in the Adobe Creative Suite 3 Video Workshop.

Using Photomerge

1. In Photoshop, choose File > Open and choose the sf_pano.psd file. Click Open. This panel is made up of four separate images (see Figure 1).

   

   Figure 1: Four separate images have been merged using Photomerge.

2. Make sure the Layers palette is open. If not, choose Window > Layers to open it. Click the Toggle Visibility column to the far left of Layer 1 and Layer 2, to hide the layers (see Figure 2). As you can see, the composite image is created using advanced blending.

   Photomerge uses both broad and detailed colors and tones. Then, it finds the ideal spot to create a seam where it can stitch the two images together.

   

   Figure 2: Hiding some layers shows the sophisticated blending in Photomerge.

3. In the Layers palette, click the Toggle Visibility column next to Layer 1 and Layer 2 to redisplay them.
4. Close the Sf-Pano.psd file.

5. On the right side of the tool options bar, above the Photoshop image window, click the Go To Bridge button to open Adobe Bridge.

   Using Adobe Bridge is one way to start Photomerge; here, youll select the images you want to use to create the panoramic image.

6. In Adobe Bridge, choose File > Open and open the Alaska folder, which contains eight images, courtesy of photographer Ralph Clevenger.

7. Click to select all eight images (Alaska01.psd to Alaska08.psd). Then choose Tools > Photoshop > Photomerge to display the Photomerge dialog box (see Figure 3).

   

   Figure 3: The Photomerge dialog box lists images selected for merging.

8. In the Layout options, select Interactive Layout; then select Advanced Blending, and click OK.
9. Notice the tools available in Interactive Layout mode in the upper left corner of the Photomerge dialog box: Selection, Rotate Image, Set Vanishing Point, Zoom, and Hand tools (see Figure 4).

10. Select the Zoom tool, and then click in the Photomerge preview to zoom in on the new image and preview how Photomerge will combine the images. When you are satisfied with the results, click OK. Photomerge blends and stitches the images together and opens the resulting file in Photoshop.

    

    Figure 4: The Photomerge Layout dialog box shows how eight Alaska images will be merged.

11. In the Photoshop toolbox, select the Zoom tool and zoom in on the image. In the Layers palette, click the Toggle Visibility column next to a few of the layers to hide them; examine how the merge was done and where seams were made. Click in the Toggle Visibility column to redisplay any hidden layers.

    The second way to start Photomerge is from within Photoshop itself.

12. Choose File > Automate > Photomerge. The Photomerge dialog box appears.
13. In the Photomerge dialog box, select Auto layout. For Source Files, choose Folder from the Use pop-up menu, and click Browse. In the Choose A Folder pop-up menu, navigate to the Alaska folder that contains the eight Alaska images, and click Choose.

14. Click OK in Photomerge to start merging the images.

    Once the new panoramic image opens in Photoshop, the next step is to crop the image to the size you want.

15. Select the Crop tool in the toolbox and drag a crop area over most of the image, omitting the jagged edges around the outside of the image (see Figure 5). Press Enter or Return to crop the image.

    

    Figure 5: Crop the merged image to remove the jagged edges.

16. Using the Zoom tool, examine the details in the image. Youll find that Photomerge is a very powerful tool and usually produces excellent merged images.

Where to go from here

For more information and additional tutorials, visit the Adobe Design Center.