Create a Mirror Effect in Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop provides users with an easy-to-use, creative platform for adding effects and re-touching images. Mirroring, an effect in which one half of an image is turned into a reflection of the other half, can be achieved in just a few steps in both CS6/CC, as well as in CS5 and earlier releases.

Steps

Loading Your Image

1. Open Adobe Photoshop. Click on the Photoshop icon on your desktop, or search for the program to open it.
   • If you don't have Adobe Photoshop, you can purchase and download it here.
2. Create a new document. Go to the File menu at the top left of your screen, and select "New."
   • Alternatively, you can create a new document by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+N on PC, or ⌘ Command+N on Mac.
3. Enter your image dimensions. Type in your desired dimensions in the "Width" and "Height" fields.
4. Enter your desired image resolution. You can type in whatever resolution you like in the resolution field.
   • 250-300 pixels/inch is recommended for professional image results.
5. Click "OK." The dialog box will disappear, and your newly created document will appear on your screen.
6. Find an image you want to mirror. Open the image you want to alter in another window.
7. Copy your image. You can copy the image by right-clicking on it and selecting "Copy" on PC, or "Copy Image" on Mac.
   • Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Crtl+A (PC), or ⌘ Command+A (Mac) to select the entire image. Then press Ctrl+C (PC), or ⌘ Command+C (Mac) to copy the image.
8. Paste your image in the Photoshop document. Click on your Photoshop document, then right click on the blank document, and hit "Paste."
   • Note the Layers window on the right side of the screen. Photoshop has created a new layer for your image called "Layer 1."
   • Alternatively, you can paste by pressing Ctrl+V (PC), or by pressing ⌘ Command+V (Mac).
9. Resize or re-position your image. It's likely that your image won't fit perfectly inside your new document. You can resize it or move it around to get it just right. Go to the "Edit" menu at the top of your screen, and select "Free Transform." This will bring up little square handles around your image.
   • Alternatively, you can use the command Ctrl+0 (PC), or ⌘ Command+0 (Mac) to pull up "Free Transform."
   • If you can't see all of the handles (there should be one on each corner, and one in the middle on both the top and bottom edges of your image), select the "View" menu at the top of your screen, then choose, "Fit on Screen."
10. Hold down ⇧ Shift, and click and drag the handles to fit your document. Continue to click and drag while holding shift until your image fits just right inside the document.
    • Holding down ⇧ Shift maintains your image's aspect ratio so as not to distort it.
    • You can move the image around by clicking and dragging on your image anywhere inside the "Free Transform" confines.
11. Press ↵ Enter. Your resize and re-position changes will be accepted, and you will exit from the "Free Transform" command.

Applying the Mirror Effect

1. Add a vertical or horizontal guide. Select the "View" menu from the top of your screen, then choose "New Guide."
2. Choose your line's orientation. Select from either Horizontal or Vertical depending on how you want to mirror the image. Click on the corresponding radio button.
3. Enter your guide line's position. Type in 50% in the "Position" field, and click "OK." You will have a guide line down or across the middle of your image.
   • The guide line only appears while you're working on your image. It will not appear on your image if you decide to print or save.
4. Select the "Move" tool. The move tool is located along the left-hand side of your screen. It looks like mouse pointer accompanied by a cross with four arrowheads.
5. Click and drag your image to either side of your guide line. Whichever part of your image is along the guideline will be your image's "flip point."
   • Don't worry if you reveal the document's background while positioning your image along the guide line. The blank space will be filled in by the mirrored version of your image.
6. Select the "Marquee" tool. The "Marquee" tool is located along the left-hand side of your screen. It looks like a dotted rectangle.
7. Click and drag to select the section you want to mirror. Starting in one corner of your image, click and drag your mouse to select the entire section that you want to mirror, stopping right along your guide line. Remove your finger from the mouse to release the click and drag.
   • If you mess up on your Marquee selection, hit Ctrl Z (PC), or ⌘ Command Z (Mac) to undo the selection.
   • Make sure you have the "Marquee" tool selected before attempting your selection again.
8. Copy your selection to a new layer. Click on the "Layer" menu on the top of your screen, select "New," then "Layer via Copy." This will create a copy of your selection and add it as a new layer.
   • Alternatively, you can create a "Layer via Copy" by pressing Ctrl J (PC), or ⌘ Command J (Mac).
   • Note the Layers window on the right side of the screen. Photoshop has created a new layer for your selection called "Layer 2."
9. Define a flip point for Layer 2. Open "Free Transform" again to define a flip point using either Ctrl T (PC), or ⌘ Command T (Mac). The "Free Transform" handles will appear again around the Layer 2 image. Note the red target symbol in the center of the "Free Transform" box.
10. Drag the target to the handle in the center of your guide line. Once you get the target close enough to the handle, it will automatically grab onto it.
11. Flip your image. Select the "Edit" menu from the top of your screen, then choose "Transform." You will be given options to either flip horizontally or vertically. Make your selection.
12. Hit ↵ Enter. Your image will be mirrored, and your changes will be accepted.

Tips

• If you find you need more space to move your image around, you can increase your Canvas Size. Instructions on how to increase Canvas Size are found here.
• If you mess up at any time, hit Ctrl Z (PC), or ⌘ Command Z (Mac) to undo your most recent change.

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Sources and Citations

http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-effects/mirror-image/ http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-effects/mirror-image-effect-with-photoshop/ http://www.graphics.com/article-old/photoshop-fundamentals-working-different-color-modes http://www.scantips.com/calc.html/ https://creative.adobe.com/planssingle_app=photoshop&promoid=65FN7XFX&mv=other

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