UNIT VII

WORKING WITH LAYERS

Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson Lesson 1 Layers and Opacity 2 Merging and Flattening Layers 3 Adjustment Layer 4 Linking and Blending Layers 5 Layer Effects 6 Layer Transformations

Lesson 1 : Layers and Opacity

What are Layers?
Layers are like sheets of stacked acetates that you can see through that transparent areas in the window. You can see the transparent area from the layer above to the layer below. Considered as the most powerful feature of Photoshop.

The Layer Menu

The Layer Menu contains various commands that you can apply to create, delete, modify, arrange and edit your layers. Familiarize yourself with the list of commands in the Layers Menu.

The Layer Palette

The Layer palette contains the layer names and allows you to modify each layer. The palette list arrow contains a drop down list commands to add, delete, modify, group and merge the layers.

Opacity
Opacity is the opposite of transparency. Decreasing the opacity will increase its transparency when adjusted in Photoshop. Adjusting the opacity will let the images below the layers show through.

0% opacity would mean completely transparent while 100% opacity

would mean completely opaque.

Lesson 2 : Merging and Flattening Layers

Merging layers combine images from two or more
separate layers. Flattening layers combine all layers into one layer. This is important because you want to organize your image files and save your systems memorys RAM.

Lesson 3 : Adjustment Layer

Adjustment layers are
adjustments that you can make to one layer instead of doing it to the whole image. Individual layers can be edited through this option. This will allow you to have more versatile layer .

Lesson 4 : Linking and Blending Layers

When you link layers in Photoshop, you create a single moving layer and two separate layers in the layer panel. This command is useful when you want to keep a combination of layers aligned to each other without merging or flattening your layer. To do this just simply select two layers at the same time, click Layer from Menu Bar, and then select Link.

After selecting the two layers, the layers that are linked are now represented by a chain beside the layer name.

Lesson 5 : Layer Effects

Layer effects in Photoshop CS3 are built-in effect that allows you to add shadows, glow and 3D appearances through bevel and emboss. In the Styles palette located at the right side of your window, you will have the capability to apply predefined combinations of effect to your image.

You can also access these layer styles through this Layer palette button. These Layer Styles are also available in the Layer Menu, then Layer Style.

Different Layer Styles

Drop Shadow Effect You can make an image from a drop shadow so that you can make the layer looked like it has been raised off from the image canvas. Inner shadows are shadows within your image. Outer and Inner Glow the outer glow effect adds faint color to the outside of your image, while inner glow can make your image glow inside the area of your image.

Different Layer Styles

Bevel and Emboss beveling and embossing a layer gives a 3D effect for your image.

Lesson 6 : Layer Transformations

There are times when you want to totally transform the appearance of your layer. To do this, you can click Edit from the Menu Bar, then point to Transform. or You can Free Transform by pressing CTRL + T.

Scale - to resize the layer proportionally.

Rotate - to change the angular position of the layer.

Skew - to slant the layer in an oblique position.

Distort - to totally reshape the layer combining perspective and skew effect.

Perspective - to apply vista effect in your layer.

Warp to reshape your layer freely using grid controls.