Working in Photoshop with layers

The processing speed of a photo in photoshop it depends on the ability to work with layers, because they are considered the basic theme of the utility. So the faster you work with layers in Photoshop, the better you'll begin to understand the program and the easier it will be to work with photography.

What is the cape?

The base of the pixel grid is the layer. You cannot do anything in life or in programs if the design elements are on the same layer. Is that even possible? Working with an airplane, not a three-dimensional image?

We can see objects, but we cannot move or change them. Layers help us in this matter. A 3D image is created, here each element is in its place, and we can work with any object in the photo without any problem.

Let's take a simple example: the Wizard constantly creates a certain detail, already has the usual size, elements. Suddenly, the client asks to reduce it very slightly. The teacher will have to redo everything from scratch.

According to this principle, s of the popular "Paint" program edit images. And all for what? There is only 1 layer of work and if you try to add a new object it will just complete the entire drawing and hide what is behind it.

A layer in Photoshop is an invisible surface that you can place any object on. Thus, a three-dimensional image is created: there are objects in the background and in the foreground, in the middle.

Layer and workspace in Photoshop

The layer has no area restrictions. When creating a new file, you can define dimensions of 1000 by 1000 pixels, but this does not at all mean that the layers will occupy 1000 pixels.

A layer it is infinite that you can stretch as much as you want, in any direction. Don't be afraid that there is not enough space. There will be a lot of space (unless, of course, your computer was initially clogged with junk and unnecessary files).

The layers in Photoshop

Photoshop has tools for manipulating layers. To find the Layers , go to the menu Window , then select Layers . Put it in a convenient place for you, it will always be at hand. The needs to be examined, this will save time and increase the quality of the work done.

Then the :

In its central part, the eyelashes are noticeable: these are the layers. They can be mixed, changed to your liking. When you hover over a layer, you can see its characteristics by symbols (layer lock, its visibility).

When open a photo, has one layer and is partially locked, it's called Background. By the way, very often people have a hard time defining a regular layer and a background, they just don't know how to tell them apart. So let's take a look at these two types of layers.

Bottom and regular coat

When you open a photo in Photoshop, there is one layer: the background. The undercoat is one of the common types, only with its own special properties.

Initially the background layer is at the bottom of the list, as soon as a new one is added the background goes down. As mentioned above, the bottom is always partially blocked, you can do almost any action with it: apply plastic, fill; change the tones, paint over it with a brush, adjust the sharpness, blur the subject, crop and much more.

There are so many things you can do that listing them all can get you confused, making it easier to determine what to do with the background layer.

We list:

The layer will not become partially opaque, nor will it become translucent.

Blending mode cannot be applied, it is also impossible to remove as it is locked from the beginning.

The blending mode is applied only to the top layers and the background is the lowest, so you cannot apply a blend to it.

Even if you select the object and remove the graphics, the layer will not become partially opaque, so you can only cover the entire object with paint, nothing else, again, the famous "Painting", in which everything is done like this. .

The internet is full of requests like: "how to make the background translucent", "how to make the background a different color", you notice that people do not understand the types of layers at all, do not know how to get rid of the unnecessary part in the photo.

The background layer it's a very old setting in Photoshop and you can easily get rid of it. To do this, open the tab "Layers" , select "New" , then «bottom layer« (As long as you are working in Photoshop version 6, the old versions may differ slightly in the tabs.)

In the same way, you can make a regular layer background: tab "Layers" , select "New" , then "Layer background" .

To save time and not search for the necessary tabs, double-click on the layers . Click just below or to the left of the layer name. After the background layer becomes a regular layer, all operations with the layer will be available to you. Including creating a translucent layer.

Layer types in Photoshop

There are many layers in Photoshop. Let's consider their main types:

An ordinary cape it is a layer, without additional characteristics, the most common. It can be a photograph or a drawing item.

The 3D layer is an innovation of Photoshop, with the help of it you can add two-dimensional graphics to three-dimensional ones. Working with him is quite difficult, even considered one of the most confusing.

La layer of color correction it is a kind of cape. You can even say that it is a filter that can change color. By the way, the color correction layers are of a wide variety.

Padding layer : using it you can paint or fill the background with absolutely any color, or even texture. It is important to note that such layers are convenient in of settings (there is a special , with its help corrections and changes are made).

Layer with text : in the program, the part of the letter is in different layers. They are called a text layer. Basically, if a person understands and can handle the text in the utility, then it works smoothly in such layers.

Finally, the smart cloak It is the newest of the latest version. Simply put, it is a normal coat, only it is protected. Do you know what the essence of protection is?

Our layer is placed in a special container, it does not allow to change graphic images. The smart layer is the very "container." You can see a small icon on the thumbnail, a sign that a protective function has been performed.

Why do we block the graphics?

Smart Layer in It doesn't actually block the graphics in the true sense of the word. The graphics are in the smart layer container, you can do any action with it. Also, there is an opportunity to apply any effect, while the graphics do not get worse, but remain in the same quality.

Layers

Previously, the layer board it was called the layer palette. This is the most important part of the program, without it it will lose its meaning. In previous versions, you still had to find the and open it, but now, at the moment, this opens automatically after ing the program.

In fact, the dashboard is very easy to 'manage'. For ease, we divide it into 3 parts: top, bottom, middle. Top - visibility modes, middle - all layers, bottom - settings.

At the top of the , you can select the blending mode, with which you can create any effect for the image.

You can set the opacity of any layer. If the opacity is reduced to 0%, the layer will be invisible. Return the opacity to 100% and you will see the entire layer.

At the bottom of the , you can see the icon "Fx" , which can be used to apply various styles and overlays

To add a layer, a mask, you need to click on the icon of a rectangle with a circle inside.

Click on the circle next to it to create an adjustment layer.

The folded square creates a new transparent layer.

You can delete a layer with the icon of the Trash .

How to duplicate a layer

To duplicate a layer in Photoshop, right click on the row of the selected layer, you will see a drop down menu - select "Duplicate layer" .

You can also duplicate with a key combination, press and hold Ctrl keys y J , a new layer is created instantly - a duplicate, while the values ​​will be the default.

If no effects are applied to the layer, you can also duplicate it like this: hold down the Ctrl key y A , then, Ctrl y C , hit with the Ctrl y V operation.

However, the quickest way is to hold down the Alt key and drag the layer up.

This way you can duplicate everything, for example: effects or a skin.

How to make a clear coat

Many people wonder how any element can be made transparent. These settings are in the layers at the top. The filling and Opacity They make the layer transparent without any problem.

How is fill different from opacity?

The fill can only remove the visibility of the layer's fill content.

Opacity removes the visibility of the entire layer entirely.

The fill should be used when the wants to reduce the visibility of the layer. In all other cases, opacity is required (for example, if you want to make layer effects visible).

An interesting tidbit: if both adjustments are made to 50%, the layer should disappear, since the fill and opacity have removed half the visibility, but no matter how we think about it, the adjustments work differently.
Remove 50% of the infill (50% of visibility). The opacity removes another 50% of the 50% already removed by the fill. Fifty percent of 50 equals 25. So the bottom line is that if you remove 50% of the fill and 50% of the opacity, the total is 75%.

Layer blending modes

One of the basics of the program is the combined mode. As we already know, the image can consist of layers of different levels of transparency, each of which has a "normal" mode by default.

If you use an overlay other than normal for one layer, it will interact with subsequent layers, allowing you to modify the image or create effects. Blending modes are made for retouching and painting.

Basic Layer Interactions: Dissolve, Darken, Multiply, Color Burn, Lighten, and more.

Layer lock modes

There are cases when a beginner can do nothing with the cape, does not react to anything - refuses to move, does not give in to action. In this case, it is clear that the layer is under the lock.

Lock modes are in the layers at the top. You can do 4 things: keep pixel transparency, keep pixel colors, lock position and preserve everything .

Pixel transparency lock - Everything is clear here, this mode blocks all actions with invisible pixels. Simply put, you can do a lot with a layer, for example: modify, move or delete.

But it is impossible to change the information about invisibility, as there is a lock on the pixels.
It is possible to edit only those areas in which there is a drawing.

Image pixel lock - It is logical to assume that all pixels in the photo (visible and invisible) are locked. You can move a layer, change its scale, flip horizontally, and other actions with this command, but you cannot change the content of graphics with brushes, stamps, gradients, and other tools.

Locking the position of the layer. If you apply this function, the layer cannot be moved anywhere, everything else is allowed. Convenient for those s who were looking for the required place on the layer and then accidentally moved it.

Block all - Locks the layer completely. You can't change the graphics, you can't move. This function can be found easily: the icon looks like a normal padlock. You can easily determine which layer is locked and which is not.

How to link layers

As you work in the program, a large number of layers can build up. Some of them have applied settings and effects, for simplicity, it is necessary to combine the link, so that there is no unnecessary, in which it is easy to get confused. In this case, find an element that looks like a chain at the bottom of the , select the layers (left click on one of the layers, hold down the key Ctrl , select the rest).

Alternatively: search la flange Layers , select Link layers .

To undock, right-click on one of the layers and select the appropriate element.

How to create a layer in Photoshop

The easiest thing to do in the program is to create a new layer with one click. At the bottom of the Layers , look for the blank sheet icon, clicking on it instantly creates a new layer.

There is also a team that is slower in this regard. Tab Layers , followed New layer , Cap. Or just press the key combination Ctrl + Shift + N .

In the dialog box, you can set the desired settings before creating the layer. For example, you can preset the blending mode and choose the degree of invisibility. On the other hand, nothing prevents you from doing all this later.

In the drop-down window "Colour" You can set the color of the layer display. This is convenient if the creates a website and needs to visually separate the layers by color.

Perhaps there is a useful setting in the Layer Settings dialog.

If you know in advance that you are creating a layer with a specific blending mode, you can immediately fill it with a neutral color. The color that will be invisible in a specific blending mode.

What is it for? A neutral color is often used to create effect layers. For example, you can create an empty layer, fill it with 50% gray, apply an effect of Background , then Blur and a Blending Mode. The result is a rain effect. May be limited to the effect "Noise" , apply a blending mode.

This will add some noise on a separate layer. So instead of creating a layer, then filling it with gray, and then changing the blending mode, it's easier to immediately press Ctrl + Shift + N and select all settings in the dialog box.

And one more tip. Do you like creating layers through the Layers ? In this case, it skips the dialog box, as the layer is created on the fly. But in some situations, the dialog is still required, and to call it, you need to hold down the ALT key when you click the icon.

How to apply a layer style

Layer Style - Live effects that are attached directly to the layer itself. Their great advantage is that they are not applied permanently. They can be turned off, hidden, turned back on, and of course the settings can be changed.

There are two ways to use them:

1. Apply pre-installed ready to use
2. Create from scratch and apply

First: open or create a Photoshop document and duplicate the background layer. Go to the main menu tab «Window» - «Styles» to open the Layer Styles palette and simply click on one of the thumbnails in this palette. Notice immediately how the style is automatically applied to the layer. With a white rectangle that is crossed out by a stripe, you can remove the style from the layer.

Second: you need to open and create a Photoshop document, duplicate the background layer. In the Layers , double-click the left mouse button on the layer (but not the name!), Or click the effects at the bottom of the palette and select the line «Blending options» .

How to make a color adjustment layer

A color adjustment layer allows you to change the color of the rest of the layers.

To create it you need:
Select the tab "Layers" , "New adjustment layer" .

How to make a fill layer

A fill layer works exactly like an adjustment layer, only the fill has a solid color. It is clear that the fill layer can be edited, deleted, without affecting other layers.

In the  Layers, select the layer on which you want the fill layer to appear. The menu will be highlighted "Create a new fill layer" choose "Colour" , "Degraded" , "Pattern" .

If you suddenly decide to set the parameters during creation, click "Cap" , "New fill layer" , "Colour" , "Degraded" , then you need to enter the layer name and check the box «Group with previous» .

Apply a mask to a layer

The purpose of the layer mask is to control the transparency of the layer.

Inexperienced s will ask: “Why do we need this layer? A mask, if the transparency can be changed using the “Opacity” setting. Everything is very simple! The fact is that the function "Opacity" you can only change the transparency of the entire layer, and the «Cloak - mask» you can change any part of the layer you select.

How do I find a cape, a mask? There is an icon at the bottom of the Layers : a circle within a rectangle. This is the fastest way, you just have to click on the icon. Clicking once creates a bitmap mask. If there are two, a vector mask is created.

Clicking and holding the key Alt a hidden black mask will be created, similarly second click + hold = hide vector mask.

How to group layers

Sometimes there are so many layers that you need to group them somehow. If you are drawing a website layout, there may be hundreds of elements. The same goes for a complex poster or cover.

To group layers, select the layers you want in the and hold CTRL + G . In any vector program, this is a grouping of objects in a block. In Photoshop, this group creates a special folder and places all the layers in it.

The folder can be easily created in the layers . There is a special icon for this: an empty folder. Clicking on it creates a folder that you can drag layers into (manually).

The program is designed correctly, if you decide to delete a group, do the steps to delete it, a menu will be displayed with the clarification that you need to delete: the group and everything inside it, or just a group.

To open the group dialog, press and hold Alt key and click the group icon.

Delete layers in Photoshop

The reverse operation of creating new layers is to delete them. If you need to delete helper layers or just a failed layer, use the delete function.

There are five ways to remove, consider them:
First, the simplest: press the delete key on the keyboard. Back o Delete .

Second: click the mouse on the trash can icon, which is located at the bottom of the layers palette. All that remains is to confirm the deletion.

Third: drag the unnecessary layer to the same basket.

Fourth: Click on the layer name with the right mouse button, select «Delete layer» on the menu .

Fifth: select the window "Layers" , "Remove" , "Layers" .

Navigate Layers in Photoshop

Sometimes it turns out that the number of layers is very large and browsing through them all seems tedious. There is such an interesting tool that it is called a movement tool. To select a layer, press and hold Ctrl and click on the object on the layer.

Symbols and designations

The state of the layer can be found using the symbols.

Layers in Photoshop have many specific designations. The designations indicate the state of the layer. Here are some of the ones you can find.

The layered has a ton of conveniences. For example, you have an extended context menu when you right-click on any instrument. You can click on any object in the layers with the right mouse button and get a context menu from which you can choose what can be done with this item.

By clicking on a skin, you get a quick setting of the skin.

Clicking on the thumbnail (thumbnail) of the layer icon, you get a settings menu for the thumbnail, size, and alignment.

When you click on the layer style icons, you get a style menu.

By simply clicking on a layer, you get a general menu of all sorts of options and settings. Duplicate, merge, etc.

Layers settings

Clicking the corner of the Layers will take you to the 's context menu Layers . In general, it is of no interest, since it contains the same commands as the main layer menu.

Create a new layer, duplicate, create a group, and so on. However, the slotted settings can only be accessed from this menu.

Select  options .

In the Layers dialog box, you can change the size of the layer thumbnail. The same can be done by simply right clicking on the thumbnail in the layers .

In the "Dashboard Options" column, you can choose how the charts are displayed:
"Layer boundaries" : will only show graphics.
"Complete document" - will show the entire workspace and the location of graphics in it.

If the work area is too large, small graphic elements will simply not be visible. Other functions of this window:

Use default masks for fill layers : fixes an empty mask by default when creating a layer of filling . If you don't like it, turn it off.

"Reveal new effects" - When creating layer styles or creating live effects for a smart layer, the list of effects immediately expands to its full length in the layers . If you have a lot of items, if each item has about ten styles and you don't like constantly collapsing style lists, just turn them off.

«Add the word copy to the copied layers and groups» : when you copy a group or layer, the program overlays the "copy" icon, if necessary, just uncheck the box.

How to Merge Layers in Photoshop

Combining layers in a program is a technical operation that is almost always necessary. Since there are more and more layers, it is easier to just merge them into a single layer. The command «Layers - Perform Blend» helps us with this.

After doing this, all invisible layers are removed.

To blend the visible, apply "Layers" , "Merge visible" .

At the same time, you do not need to select the necessary layers, the program will do everything by itself.

How to Merge Multiple Specific Layers

In other situations, you only need to merge a few layers. In this case, you need to select the layers in the Layers palette and apply the "Layers" , "Combine layers" , or to use a simple key combination CTRL+E .

How to rasterize layer styles

Beginners often don't understand the term "Rasterize" . It can be said that these are the basics of the program, the basic principles for creating an image.

Rasterize an image it means doing some transformations in a drawing, a photograph, which consists of many shapes.

Sometimes you need to rasterize layer styles. However, there is no command to combine all styles in one chart. But there is always a way out, as they say. You need to create an empty layer, select it with styles, along with an empty layer, while holding down the Shift key . Now select «Layers - Merge layers» . When you merge an empty layer with a layer that has styles, you get raster graphics without styles.

How to Merge Blending Modes

If you've used Photoshop before, you've probably heard of blending modes. The layers overlap each other, while interacting with each other.

Blending modes can be used to create effects. For example, the mode Screen light up the photo, Multiply darkens the photo.

The melt layer feature has several advantages. Because the order of the layers in the is completely preserved, the weight of the document is reduced. Sometimes it is necessary to merge layers before continuing to edit an image.

To unite the layers together with the effect of the overlay you need to select both layers pinch CTRL+E .

Another situation where you get a blur effect on a complex surface. When you need to keep the colors, while removing the blending mode.

This cannot be done automatically.

Note that the appearance of the design when using blending modes is the result of the interaction of the upper layer with the lower layer. If the layers are shifted, the effect will change. If the blending mode is changed, the effect disappears. In order not to lose the layers, you need to copy the lower part of the gray layer and merge it with the upper one.

How to copy layers

Copying is very easy. You need to select 1 layer, click on it, while holding down the Alt key . Moving the layer up, a copy will appear.

Another way: the command to copy the layer CTRL+J o "Layers" , "New" , "Copy to a new layer" .

There is also a duplication command "Layers" , "Duplicate a layer" .

How to manage layers

Most s always use the Layers . When moving the layer, you need to grab it with the mouse and move it higher. However, you don't have to do it this way! The program is equipped with many commands, among which are specially designed to move layers.

You should not constantly go to the menu and search for the desired item there, you can use the commands. This can be a great time saver.

Basic:
"Layer", "Organize", "Bring to the front" - will move the layer on top of everything,
«Layer», «Organize», «Bring forward» - it will move 1 layer up,
"Layer", "Arrange", "Move back" - it will move 1 layer down,
«Layer», «Organize», « Send to the bottom « - will move the layer to be the lowest.

There is also a very interesting command "Cap" , "Organize" , "Investment" . The location of the layers will change. Here, of course, you need to select two layers.

Layer alignment command. It can be done using the move tool, but in addition to the tool, the command is in the settings .
They are in Cover , Aline .

Conclusion

Here we have considered a very important concept that underlies working with the program. The article includes basic concepts, necessary actions for a beginner.

After reading it, you now know what a layer is, the main types of layers, how to work in the , and how to open layers in Photoshop.

A great advantage of layers is that everything here can be moved, edited. s can easily create their own original drawing or work on the image, adjusting each layer.