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Working with Layers in Adobe Photoshop
About Layers
An image can be divided into separate layers. This allows you to work on separate sections (or layers) of the image, without affecting other sections (or layers) of the image.
Layers can be compared to sheets of clear plastic laid on top of each other. If a layer has no image on it, you can see through to the layers underneath. Also, the stacking order of layers can be changed.
Layers can be used to apply opacity or sophisticated blending and masking effects to individual sections (or layers) of an image. Layers can be merged together, if required.
The Layers panel
Select Window > Layers to open the Layers panel.
The Layers panel menu
At the top right corner of the Layers panel is the panel menu, with various commands relevant to layers.
Creating a new layer
Either click the New Layer button at the bottom of the Layers panel or select New Layer from the Layers panel menu.
Also, when you copy and paste an image into another image, it will be pasted on its own layer by default.
TIP: If you have an object selected and want to copy it into a new layer, try Layer > New > Layer via Copy. If you have an object selected and want to cut it into a new layer, use Layer > New > Layer via Cut.
Converting a background into a layer
Double-click the Background in the Layers panel.
Set layer options, e.g. its name.
Click OK.
Changing the visibility of layers
To hide what is on a layer, click the eye icon in the Layers panel. Click on the same spot to show the layer.
Changing a layer's opacity
Opacity determines to what degree a layer hides or reveals the layer beneath it. The lower the opacity, the more transparent it appears. You cannot change the opacity of a background layer or a locked layer.
- Select a layer in the Layers panel.
- In the Layers panel, enter a value in the Opacity box or drag the Opacity slider.
Selecting layers
In a multi-layered image, it is important to first select the layer to be worked on. When selected, the layer becomes the active layer, and any changes done to the image will affect only that layer.
To select layers, do the following:
- Click on a layer's name in the Layers panel.
- Shift-click to select more than one adjacent layer.
- Control-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) to select more than one non-adjacent layers.
Applying a blending mode for a layer
A layer's blending mode determines how its pixels blend with underlying pixels in the image. You can create a variety of special effects using blending modes.
By default, the blending mode of a layer group is Pass Through, which means that the group has no blending properties of its own.
- Select a layer from the Layers panel.
- Choose a blending mode:
- From the Layers panel, choose an option from the Blend Mode pop‑up menu.
- Choose Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options, and then choose an option from the Blend Mode pop‑up menu.
Rearranging layers
You can rearrange the stacking order of layers to control which layer is in front of or behind other layers. The Background layer by default will always be at the bottom of the layers' stacking order. It cannot be moved up or down, unless it is converted into a normal layer by double-clicking on it, naming it and clicking OK.
Do either of the following:
- drag the layer up or down in the Layers panel. When the horizontal bar appears where you want the layer to go, release the mouse.
- select a layer and choose Layer > Arrange, and select a command from the menu.
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