How to use PhotoVim

Create a Coastal Travel Cover with Layered Photos and Type

Level · Beginner Updated 2026-09-28

Composite a coastal scene and transparent portrait, then add an editable COASTAL DAYS headline. Includes a recorded workflow, English subtitles and practice sources.

Watch on YouTube

English editor and subtitles · 65 seconds

Pause at each step and follow the shortcuts on screen. The practice files contain separate source layers; the video is a recorded UI demonstration.

Steps

Tap a step picture to see it full size

  1. Create the document and place the background

    Press Ctrl+Alt+N (or File > New…). Type 1080 in Width and 1920 in Height, then click Create. Choose File > Place Embedded… and pick 02_BACKGROUND.png. Drag inside the box to move it and drag a corner handle to resize it. Press Enter (or double-click the image) to finish.

    Where to click — Create the document and place the background
    Create the document and place the background — Create a Coastal Travel Cover with Layered Photos and Type

  2. Place the person low in the frame

    Choose File > Place Embedded… and pick 01_PERSON_TRANSPARENT.png. Drag inside the box to move it and drag a corner handle to resize it. Press Enter (or double-click the image) to finish. Press V and drag her down so the cut edge at the bottom of the photo stays below the canvas.

    Where to click — Place the person low in the frame
    Place the person low in the frame — Create a Coastal Travel Cover with Layered Photos and Type

  3. Type the cover title

    Press D, then X so white is the foreground color. Press T for the Type tool, click on the canvas and type COASTAL, press Enter, and type DAYS. Press Ctrl+Enter to finish.

    Type the cover title — Create a Coastal Travel Cover with Layered Photos and Type

  4. Check the details

    Press Z for the Zoom tool and click on the area you want to check. Press Ctrl+0 (View > Fit on Screen) to see the whole picture again.

    Where to click — Check the details
    Check the details — Create a Coastal Travel Cover with Layered Photos and Type

  5. Save

    Press Ctrl+Alt+S (File > Save a Copy…) and choose PSD to keep an editable layered copy.

    Where to click — Save
    Save — Create a Coastal Travel Cover with Layered Photos and Type
Worth knowing

If a browser shortcut takes over, use the matching editor menu command. Keep the source files and practice on a copy.

Try it in the editor

Questions

Do I need Photoshop for this tutorial?

No. Every step is done in PhotoVim in your browser, with nothing to install. Menu names and shortcuts follow Photoshop, so the steps look familiar if you already use it.

Why move the person so low?

The source photo is cut off at the bottom. Moving her down keeps that cut edge outside the canvas.