Lesson 6

Using Layers

What is Layers?
Layers become one of the most indispensable features of Photoshop. It is the fundamental tool for creating complex images. Each layer contains an image element that forms part of the final image and can be independently modified without Damaging other image. An image file containing two or more image elements is called a Layered Composition.

Layers are organized using the Layer Palette. The Layer Palette provides tools and commands that will allow you to organize, modify, enhance, and combine layers. The images below illustrate the components of the Layer Palette:

Layer palette options contain a list of commands that are used to manipulate the layers. These options can also be displayed by right clicking on the particular areas of the palette.

Creating a Photoshop Document

1. From the Menu bar, click on File New. 2. In the New dialog, specify the value for each option.

Name-this specifies the name of the document. Preset- this lists a predefined document size for different types of application. Width & Height-this sets the height and the width of the image using a particular unit of measurement. Resolution-this specifies the image resolution. Typically images that will be displayed on the screen has 72 ppi resolution wile images that will be used for printing require 300 ppi resolution. Color mode-this lists the available color model used by Photoshop. Bit depth-this specifies the number of bits that will be assigned to each pixel in the image. Background contents-this defines the color of the background layer. 3. Click on OK when done.

Saving the Document

1. From the Menu bar, click on File
Save. 2. Select the location where the file will be stored. (Using the Adobe dialog, you can easily access the pscs2 folder by clicking on its icon contained in the Favorites list.) 3. Type the filename. (Photoshop takes the name of the document that was specified during the creation of the file. You have the option to keep or change the filename.) 4. Select the file format. 5. Click on Save when done.

Managing the Layers

Using the document settings in the previous topic, Photoshop will create the following layer:

The Background layer is created when you select either White or Background Color for the Background Contents.

Manipulating the Background Layer

To convert the Background Layer to a regular layer: 1. Double-click on the Background layer. 2. Set layer options as desired. 3. Click on OK.

To convert a layer to a Background layer: 1. Click on layer to select it. 2. From the Menu bar, click on the Layer New Background From Layer command.

Renaming Layer
The layer name is used to identify the contents of the particular layer. By default, whenever you add a new layer, Photoshop will name the each layer as Layer plus a number (e.g Layer 1). To change the name of the layer

1. Double-click on the name of the layer. 2. Type the new name. 3. Press the ENTER key.

Using the Paint Bucket Tool

The Paint Bucket tool is used to fill similarly colored areas with the foreground color or pattern. To fill an area with color: 1. On the toolbox, click on the Paint Bucket tool. 2. From the Options bar, select Foreground.

3. Select a new foreground color as desired. To select a new foreground/background color: a. On the toolbox, click on one of the color swatches. b. Select a color from the Color Picker dialog. c. Click on OK. 4. Click on the area on the canvas that you want to fill with a new color.
Take Note: Press ALT+DELETE to fill the canvas with the foreground color. Press CTRL+DELETE to fill the canvas with the background color.

To fill an area with pattern: 1. On the toolbox, click on the Paint Bucket tool. 2. From the Option bar, select Pattern. 3. Click on the Pattern Picker to display the list of patterns. 4. Select a pattern from the list. 5. Click on the canvas.

To add a group of patterns on the pattern list: 1. On the toolbox, click on the Paint Bucket tool. 2. From the Options bar, select Pattern. 3. Click on the Pattern Picker to display the list of patterns. 4. Click on the palette options button. 5. Select an option from the list. 6. Click on Append to add the list of patterns.

Custom made patterns can also be created and added to the list of patterns. The pattern can be a combination of two or more image elements. It can also be based from an existing image. The steps below create a pattern based on an existing image. To create a new pattern: 1. Open the image (bkg21.gif). 2. Create a rectangular marquee to define the area that will be used as pattern. 3. From the Menu bar, Click on Edit Define Pattern. 4. Type the name of pattern. 5. Click on OK.

Using the Edit Fill command: 1. On the Layer palette, click on the layer. 2. From the menu bar, click on the Edit Fillcommand. 3. Select an option from the Fill dialog. 4. Click on OK when done.

Using the Gradient Tool

The Gradient tool fills the image or the canvas with a gradation of two or more colors. The gradient tool has the following options:
Types of gradient fill

Gradient Picker

To apply a gradient fill: 1. On the toolbox, Click on the Gradient tool. 2. Select the color for the foreground and background. 3. Select the type of gradient. 4. Select an option from the Gradient picker. 5. On the canvas, drag the mouse vertically, horizontally, or diagonally to define the direction of the gradient.

To add more gradient in the gradient picker:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. On the toolbox, click on the Gradient tool. Click on the down arrow of the gradient picker. Click on the palette options button. Select an option from the list. Click on Append to add the list of gradients.

To create a new gradient: 1. On the toolbox, Click on the Gradient tool. 2. Select color for the foreground and background. 3. On the Options bar, click on the gradient picker to display the following dialog:

Type the name of the gradient

Click and drag the stop.

Click to select a new color for the stop

4. Click on OK when done.

Adding Stroke
1. Click on one of the selection tools. 2. Create a selection. 3. From the menu bar, click on the Edit Strokecommand. 4. Select/set the options on the Stroke dialog. 5. Click on OK when done.

Adding a New Layer

Click on the New Layer button to add a new layer. The new Layer will be inserted on top of the active layer.

Deleting a Layer

1. Click on the layer. 2. Click on the Delete Layer button.

Click and drag the layer to the Delete Layer button.

Duplicating the Layer

Click and drag the layer to the New Layer button. Or Right click on the layer and select the Duplicate layer command.

Showing / Hiding a Layer

Click on the eye icon to hide the layer.

Click on the eye icon to display the layer.

Selecting Layers
Photoshop allows you to select more than one layer so that modifications can be applied to multiple layers at one time. Selecting multiple layers saves time in performing tasks like moving, transforming, and aligning image elements. A single selected layer is called an active layer. To select a layer:

Click on the layer to select one layer at a time.

To select adjacent layers :

Click on the layer.

Perform SHIFT + Click to select adjacent layers.

To select non-adjacent layers:

Click on the layer.

Perform CTRL+Click to select adjacent layers.

Linking Layers
Selecting multiple layers allows you to quickly modify image elements; however, this is only temporary. When the layers are not selected multiple modification are no longer applicable. Linking the layers create a permanent connection or relationship among the layers. Multiple modifications can be done at any time to layers that are linked together. To link the layers:

Select the layers.

Click on the Link Layer button.

Changing the Stacking Order

The stacking order defines the arrangement of layers in a layered composition. The layers are displayed from front to back. To adjust the stacking order of a layer, simply drag the layer to a new position.

Creating a Layer Group

A layer group contains a collection of layers and appears on the Layers palette as a Folder icon. Layer groups can be created in two ways: Creating a group with existing layers Creating an empty layer group

Creating a group with existing layers

1. Select the layers. 2. Drag the selected layer to the New Layer Group button. 3. Rename the group to easily identify the contents of the group.

Creating an empty layer group

1. Click on the New Layer Group button. The new layer group will be inserted on top of the existing layer or layer group. 2. Rename the layer group.
New layers can be added to the group or existing layers can be dragged inside the group. Layer groups can be collapsed to save space on the palette.

Placing an Image
Placing an Image is the process of importing graphics stored in another file. The image can be from another Photoshop document. It can also be image created by other graphics software. To place an image: 1. Open the image you want to add to your canvas. 2. Select the part of the image you want to add to your file. 3. Using the moving tool, drag the selection to your canvas. This will create a new layer on the Layer Palette.

Combining the Layers

Organizing how the final image would look is an essential step in creating a layered composition. Layers should be aligned into specific positions to create order to design. Moreover, layers should be combined in order to reduce the size of the file.

Aligning Layers
To align layers: 1. Select the layers to be aligned. 2. Click on the Move tool. 3. From the Options bar, Select one of the buttons for aligning and distributing the layers.

Merging & Flattening Layers

Merging layers combines the selected/visible layer into one layer. Combining the layers reduces the file size of the image; however, Caution must be exercised when applying the different commands to combine the layers. When layers are merged, Photoshop combines all the image elements of the selected layers into one layer and discards the selected layers. Layers can be merged using the following options:

 Merge Down this combines the active layer to the layer below it. To apply this option: 1. Select a layer. 2. Right-click on the layer name to display the context menu. 3. Select Merge Down from the menu.
Merge Layers this combines all selected layers. To merge the selected layers: 1. Select the layers. 2. Right-click on the layer name to display the context menu. 3. Select Merge Layers from the menu.

 Merge Visible this combines all visible layers. To combine visible layers: 1. Click on any visible layer. 2. Right-click on the layer name to display the context menu. 3. Select Merge Visible from the menu.

Stamping combines the selected layers and places the combined layers into a new layer while keeping the existing layers intact. This new layer is usually added on top of the selected layers. To stamp the selected layers , press CTRL + ALT + E. To stamp all visible layers, press SHIFT + CTRL + ALT + E.

Flattening the image combines all layers in the Layer palette into the Background layer. All layers including the hidden layers are discarded. Flattening the image is only done when all the designing tasks have been completed. Flattening is considered as one of the most destructive editing feature of Photoshop. To flatten the image, right click on any layer to display the context menu and then select Flatten Image.

Thank You!!!