WHAT IS A LAYER?

A layer is a fundamental element used to organize and manage different parts of an

image or design. Layers allow you to work on individual elements separately, making it
easier to edit, adjust, and manipulate specific portions of your project without affecting
the rest. Think of layers as transparent sheets stacked on top of each other, each
containing specific content.

Here are key aspects of layers in Adobe Photoshop:

Visibility: Each layer can be made visible or invisible, allowing you to control which
elements are currently displayed in the image.

Stacking Order: Layers are stacked in a specific order in the Layers Panel. The order
determines how elements overlap. The topmost layer appears in front of the layers
beneath it.

Editing Independence: Layers allow for independent editing. Changes made to one
layer do not affect the content on other layers. This non-destructive editing is a crucial
aspect of working with layers.

Blending Modes: Layers can have blending modes that determine how they interact
with the layers beneath them. Blending modes can affect the color, luminosity, and
overall appearance of the image.

Opacity: You can adjust the opacity of a layer, making it partially transparent. This is
useful for creating subtle effects or blending images seamlessly.

Layer Masks: Layer masks allow you to selectively hide or reveal parts of a layer. This is a
powerful tool for creating intricate and detailed adjustments.

Groups: Layers can be organized into groups, helping you manage and structure
complex projects more efficiently.

Smart Objects: Layers can be converted into Smart Objects, preserving the original
quality and allowing for non-destructive transformations.

Adjustment Layers: Adjustment layers are a special type of layer that applies color and
tonal adjustments without directly changing the pixel values of the underlying layers.

Text Layers: Text in Photoshop is often added as a text layer. Text layers are editable,
and you can apply various styles and effects to them.

Raster and Vector Layers: Photoshop supports both raster layers (for pixel-based
images) and vector layers (for scalable, non-destructive shapes).

Understanding how to work with layers is fundamental to effective image editing and
design in Photoshop. It allows for a more organized and flexible workflow, enabling users
to create complex and intricate compositions with ease.
 LAYERS PANEL

Photoshop’s layers Panel is a powerful tool that allows you do many special things to
your layer compositions. Next, we will look at the Photoshop layers palette.

Layer Filter: This enables you to hide layers based on different things. Makes it easier to
find the layers that you want to work with.

Opacity: 0= transparent 100 = fully opaque. press number keys on keyboard to instantly
set to multiples of 10 or adjust the slider for an exact amount of transparency on each
layer.

Blend Modes: Change these to change the way that the selected layer blends with the
layers underneath it. Great for compositing and special effects. (With the move tool
selected, press Shift+ or Shift- to cycle through blending modes.
Fill opacity: Adjusts the amount of opacity of the pixels only, but any layer styles are
unaffected and remain 100% opaque.

Visibility: If the eye is showing that layer is visible. Click on the eye and the layer will still
be there but invisible until you click on the eye again.

Locked: The padlock means that something is locked in the layer. (Also click in the 4
icons in the “lock” next to fill opacity to make certain things editable of locked). Here
are the different things that can be locked/unlocked.

Lock all: If the box is checked the layer is totally protected from any editing.

Lock Position: You can make any changes except for moving the image.

Lock Image pixels: You cannot draw on this layer if checked.

Lock transparent: You can paint on this layer but not where it is transparent.

Useful tools at the bottom of the panel

Link: Enabled you to link layers. These will all move together unless unlinked.

Layer Effects (Styles): Special effects applied to your image layer. Noted by the little f.
Each effect will be listed. multiple effects may be used at once.

Add Layer Mask: This is the button to press to add a layer mask to the currently selected
layer. Allows you to paint away parts of your layer without damaging your original
image.

Add Adjustment Layer: The best way to apply image adjustments. There can change
the color or tone of an image. All layers are affected underneath an adjustment layer
(Unless clipped). This is a good option to using Image>Adjustments because adjustment
layers are non-destructive and re editable.

Layer Groups: A good organizational tool. This puts layers into a folder. You can choose
multiple layers and press Cmd/Ctrl+G to put them in a group or create a group by
clicking this icon. Layers can be dragged in or out of groups in the Layers panel.

Create New Layer: Press this icon to create a new layer. Drag an existing layer into this
icon to create a duplicate of that layer,

Delete Layer: Drag a layer into this icon to remove it. Or select the layer and then press
this icon to get the same result.

Panel Options: This will open a drop down menu that provides a number of options,
many that aren’t listed anywhere else.
 TYPES OF LAYERS

In Photoshop there are several different types of layers. They are usually indicated by
icons, here is what they all do.

Thumbnail: A small picture of the layer’s contents.

Layer Group: This puts layers into a folder. Layers can be dragged in or out of groups in
the Layers panel.

Type Layer: The same as an image layer, except this layer contains type that can be
edited; (Change character, color, font or size)

Adjustment Layer: An adjustment layer is changing the color or tone of all the layers
underneath it. To only affect the layer directly underneath it (an ignore the other
underlying layers): Move your pointer on the line between the adjustment layer and the
layer directly beneath it, hold down Alt/Option. You will see a symbol appear. Click to
limit the adjustment. (clip to layer) do the same thing again to toggle this option off.
Layer Style: An effect has been applied. Click the eye to turn it on or off. Double click
“effects” to open the Layer Styles options.

Layer Mask: Allows you to paint on the mask to show and reveal portions of the image.

Smart Object: A special type of layer that is a container that can hold; multiple (or 1)
layers, vectors for illustrator, raw files, video, 3D, or many other types of objects. To learn
about Smart Objects in depth, check out this video.

ART LAYER: A REGULAR LAYER

Background: Always locked, cannot be moved, or have layer effects applied to it. The
little icon of the padlock on the right, indicates it is locked. Can be changed into a
regular layer by simply double clicking on the thumbnail.

SPECIAL TYPES OF LAYERS

There are two different types of layers that have appeared in newer version of
Photoshop. These used to only be in Photoshop Extended. With Photoshop CC, there is
no longer a separate Extended version, all the features are now included with every
copy of photoshop.

Video Layer: This indicates that there is video on this layer. Photoshop is now able to be
used as a video editor, to working with video, animated slideshows, and motion
graphics. See Video in Photoshop if you want to learn about video editing in
Photoshop.

3D Layer: Photoshop can import and working with 3D objects. It also can-do 3D printing.