Layers allow you to work on one element of an image
without disturbing the others. Think of layers as sheets of acetate stacked one
on top of the other. Where there is no image on a layer, you can see through to
the layers below. You can change the composition of an image by changing the
order and attributes of layers. In addition, special features such as
adjustment layers, fill layers, and layer styles let you create sophisticated
effects.
Displaying the Layers palette:
Choose
Window > Layers
Using the Layers palette:
The Layers palette lists all
layers, layer sets, and layer effects in an image. You can accomplish many
tasks--such as creating, hiding, displaying, copying, and deleting
layers--using the buttons in the Layers palette. You can access additional
commands and options in the Layers palette menu and the Layers menu.
Using
the Layers palette menu:
Click the triangle in the upper
right corner of the palette to access commands for working with layers.
Creating
layers and layer sets:
A new image in Photoshop has a
single layer. The number of additional layers, layer sets, and layer effects
you can add to an image is limited only by your computer's memory
About
the background layer:
When you create a new image with a white background or
a colored background, the bottommost image in the Layers palette is Background. An image can have only one background. You
cannot change the stacking order of a background, its blending mode, or its
opacity. However, you can convert a background to a regular layer.
When you create a new image with transparent content,
the image does not have a background layer. The bottommost layer is not
constrained like the background layer; you can move it anywhere in the Layers
palette, and change its opacity and blending mode.
To convert a background into a layer:
Double-click
Background in the Layers palette, or choose Layer > New > Layer from Background.
To add a new layer or layer set using default options:
Click the New Layer button or New
Layer Set button in the
Layers palette.
To add a new layer or layer set and specify options:
v Choose
Layer > New > Layer or Layer > New > Layer Set.
v Choose
New Layer or New Layer Set from the Layers palette menu.
v Alt-click
the New Layer button or New Layer Set button in the Layers palette.
v Ctrl-click
the New Layer button or New Layer Set button in the Layers palette to add a
layer below the currently selected layer.
v Set layer
options, click ok.
v Name to
specify a name for the layer or layer set.
To convert a selection into a new layer:
v Open an
image
v Make a
selection
v Choose
Layer > New > Layer Via Copy to copy the selection into a new layer.
v Choose Layer >
New > Layer Via Cut to cut the selection and paste it into a new layer.
Duplicating
layers:
Duplicating layers is an easy way
to copy content within an image or between images. When duplicating layers
between images, keep in mind that the layer's content will appear smaller or
larger if it is copied to a file with different resolution
v Select a
layer or layer set in the Layers palette.
v Drag the
layer to the New Layer button,
Linking
layers:
By linking two or more layers or layer sets, you can
move their contents together. You can also copy, paste, align, merge, apply
transformations to, and create clipping groups from linked layers.
v Select
a layer or layer set in the Layers palette.
v elick in the column
immediately to the left of any layers you want to link to the selected layer.
A link icon appears in the
column.
To
unlink layers:
v In the Layers palette, click the link icons to
remove them.
To
delete linked layers:
v To delete the
linked layers with confirmation, choose Delete Linked Layers from the Layers
menu or the Layers palette menu. Alternately, Ctrl-click the Trash button.
v To delete the
linked layers without confirmation, Ctrl-Alt-click the Trash button.
To
partially lock a layer:
v Select a
layer
v Click one
or more lock options in the Layers palette.
v Lock
Transparency to
confine editing to the opaque portions of the layer. This option is equivalent
to the Preserve Transparency option in earlier versions of Photoshop.
v Lock
Image to prevent
modification of the layer's pixels using the painting tools.
v Lock
Position to
prevent the layer's pixels from being moved.
Note: For
type layers, Lock Transparency and Lock Image are selected by default and
cannot be deselected.
To
rename a layer or layer set:
v Double-click the
layer or layer set's name in the Layers palette, and enter a new name.
v Press Alt and
double-click the layer or layer set's name in the Layers palette. Enter a new
name in the Name text box, and click OK.
Deleting
layers:
Deleting layers that you no longer need reduces the
size of your image file.
v Select a layer
or layer set in the Layers palette.
v To delete the
layer or layer set without confirmation, drag it to the Trash button
Merging
layers:
When you have finalized the content of layers, you can
merge them to create partial versions of your composite image. The intersection
of all transparent areas in the merged layers remains transparent. Merging
layers helps manage the size of image files.
Note: You cannot use an adjustment layer or
fill layer as the target layer for a merge.
v Make layers link
v Layer
menu>Merge or Ctrl + E
Flattening all layers:
In a flattened image, all visible
layers are merged into the background, which greatly reduces the file size.
Flattening an image discards all hidden layers and fills the remaining
transparent areas with white. In most cases, you won't want to flatten a file
until you have finished editing the individual layers.
Note:
Converting an image between some color modes flattens the file. Be sure to save
a copy of your file that includes all layers if you want to edit the original
image after the conversion.
v Make sure that
all the layers you want to keep are visible.
v Choose Layer
> Flatten Image, or choose Flatten Image from the Layers palette menu.
or,
v Click on Layer
palette menu and choose Flatten Image.