So far we've worked with files that were created by someone else. In this lesson, we'll create a new document from scratch and make a lovely photo mat for the photos we cropped in the last lesson.

To create a new file, in the menu bar, choose File, New, Blank File, or use a shortcut Ctrl N in Windows or command N on a Mac, "N" for new. When the dialog box comes up, give your document a name. I'll name mine 6x16-mat.

The Document Type menu has some default categories to choose from. For example, Web gives you standard web sizes in the size menu. Photo gives you standard photo sizes to choose from. I need a custom size in inches, so I'll choose the default photo size and then change the width and the height. I'll enter 16 for the width, and 6 for the height. 300 is a good resolution for printing, and for color mode, choose RGB Color, for Background Contents choose White.

If you use a document size, often you may want to click on Save Preset to save those dimensions for next time. But I won't be using this dimension often, so I won't do that. Click OK to create the new document. And there it is. Now we're ready to add our four by four inch photos to this new document.

I've already opened them up, so I'll use the Photo Bin to drag them on to my new document. First I'll click on the thumbnail of my new document to make it the active photo. Then I'll click and drag the other photos onto the mat document. They land in the center of the document stacked one on top of the other. By landing in the center I automatically get equal space above and below the photos which is what I want. So now I just need to move the two side photos into place.

I want half an inch between the photos and one and a half inches on either side. So let's start by setting some guides. I already have my rulers open but if you don't, choose View Rulers, or use a shortcut Ctrl Shift R in Windows or Command Shift R on a Mac. Also make sure that View, Snap To Guides is checked.

Zoom in and click and drag a guide from the left ruler to the five and a half inch mark which is half an inch from the left side of the photo. Drag another guide a half inch beyond the photo to the ten and a half inch mark. Then drag a guide from the top ruler to the top of the photo.

Now we're ready to start moving our photos. So zoom out by pressing Ctrl zero in Windows or Command zero on a Mac. Get the move tool. Click on the top photo, add the Shift key, and drag to the right until the left edge of the photo is next to the right guide. It will snap into place. Let go of the mouse and then let go of the Shift key. Adding the Shift key when you move a layer makes it move in a straight line.

Next, we need to move the bottom photo to the left but it's hidden by the middle photo. In the Layers panel click on the bottom photo to make it the active layer. Press the Ctrl key in Windows or the Command key on a Mac to temporarily disable Auto Select Layer. Click on the middle photo, add the Shift key while holding down the Ctrl or Command key still, and drag to the left until the right edge of the photo lines up with the left guide. Let go the mouse and then let go of the keyboard keys.

Again adding the Shift key as you move a layer keeps the layer moving in a straight line, whether it's left, right up or down. Once you have all your photos in place. In the Menu Bar, choose View, Clear Guides. Notice that I placed the photos so that the two outer photos are facing inward. It wouldn't look nearly as good if I switched the positions of the right and left photos. So that's just something to keep in mind.

So now you know how to create a new document. Move photos onto the new document, set up guides for your photo placement, and move your photos into place. In our next lesson we'll add the finishing touches to our matted photos.