how to make 2 page panoramic view in PS

[laurenmac]

This is my first book and I'm wanting to make my own pages in PS, but may combine some predesigned layouts to make it all faster and easier. One thing I really want to do though and I'm hoping and assuming this is possible...

How can I make a two page full bleed panoramic photo?

[irusan]

It's a fairly straightforward procedure, but you won't get a 'perfect' result. However, you can still get really good results if you take a few issues into account.

You basically take a panoramic image and cut it into half. However, you have to account for the bleed area as well as the gutter. Also, depending on the number of pages in your book and the location of the panorama in the book, the amount of the image you'll see in the center of the picture may be less than you're hoping for.

So, after cutting your image in two, you are going to immediately lose 1/4" from the center (1/8" per side). Just keep that in mind, in case there are any elements that are critical to the image that are in the middle.

Good luck!

Rob

[laurenmac]

Thanks Rob. So I'm not really going to get a near seamlesss panoramic anyway. I may try it for some depending on what's in the center. What I can't figure out how to do is cut the image in half. I'm still kind of green to photoshop. Right now, I would use the square marquee tool, and that would get me one half but how do I be sure to get the other half to exactly match? There must be a way right?

[irusan]

It's not too tough, just a bit of a PITA :-)

1. Open your image and, in the Layers palette, ensure that the background layer is selected. If you're opening a JPG, it will be the only layer.

2. Add a vertical guide in the center of the image. To create the guide, put your mouse in the vertical ruler on the side and drag to the center of the image. By default, Photoshop will snap the guide in the exact vertical center, so drag slowly and you'll see the guide jump into place when you get close to the middle.

3. Go to Image > Duplicate. This will create a duplicate of the existing image, including the guide. Call the copy "Left Side" (or "Right Side", or....)

4. Use the crop tool on each of the two images. Crop from the edge to the center guide. You are then left with two images open in Photoshop, one showing the left, one showing the right.

HTH,

Rob