What is a Layer
Photoshop layers are like plastic sleeve protectors, stacked one on top of each other. You can see through the transparent areas in a layer, and so see the contents of the layer(s) below it.You move a layer to position the content in it, like moving a sleeve protector in the stack.
You can also change the opacity of a layer to make content partially transparent, so that viewers cannot fully see through it.
Layers are used for tasks like:
- compositing multiple images
- adding text to an image
- adding vector graphic shapes to an image
- add a special effects such as a drop shadow or a glow.
How to see the layers in a Photoshop file
Turn on the Layers panel (Window > Layers) to see what layers are present in a PSD file - you should have this on almost all the time when you are working with Photoshop.Selecting VS seeing layers
- To select a layer - click on it in the Layers Panel. It turns blue, and so you know it is the active layer.
- To have a layer visible in the screen, turn on the eye to the right of its name in the Layers Panel.
Just because you can see a layer in the main screen doesn't mean you are working on it: the changes you make at any time are made to the currently selected layer only.
Only layers that are visible will be included in any action you do - eg printing. Hiding layers while you print can be useful if you need to have several versions of an image within the same document. You can view selective layers, print them, get a decision on what to go ahead with and then delete the layers with the unwanted versions.
Actions you can do with Layers
How to make a new layer
- Menus, Layer > New OR
- Use the icon next to the trash can in the layers panel OR
- Right click on an existing layer, and choose Duplicate OR
- Select something on an existing layer or background, and choose Layer > New→Layer via Copy. The copied selection is placed on a new layer with the default name of Layer 1.
How to remove a layer
- Right clicking on it in the Layers panel and select Delete from the drop down menu OR
- Use the trash can icon in the layers panel
How to rearrange Layers
To move a layer to another position in the stacking order, drag it up or down in the Layers panel. While you drag, you see a fist icon. Release your mouse button when a highlighted line appears where you want to insert the layer.Alternatively, use menu commands: select the layer (or layer group) and choosing Layer > Arrange - and select a commands from the submenu. Options are
• Bring to Front and Send to Back: Send the layer to the very top or very bottom of the stacking order.
• Bring Forward and Send Backward: Move the layer one level up or down.
• Reverse: Switches the order of two or more selected layers.
If your image has a background, it is always remains the very bottom layer. If you need to move the background, convert it to a layer by double-clicking the name in the Layers panel and enter a name for it.
How to Lock a layer
Select the layer in the Layers pane, then and select one or more of the lock options at the top of the Layers panel- Choose Layer→Lock Layers from the menu OR
- Select Lock Layers from the Layers panel menu.
Why to lock a layer? You do this when, for whatever reason, you are certain you don't want to change it, and don't want to risk accidental changes while you are working with other layers.
How to change the opacity (or Fill Opacity) of a Layer
Select one or more layers in the Layers pane, then access the slider by either- clicking the right-pointing arrow,
- entering a percentage value in the Opacity text box, or
- simply scrubbing over the word Opacity (it converts to a two-way arrow).
Alternatively, double-click a layer thumbnail, then
- Choose Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options from the menu or
- Select Blending Options from the Layers panel menu. (Clicking the triangle in the top-right corner opens the menu.)
How to transform a Layer
Select the layer in the Layers Panel.- Choose Edit > Transform from the menus
- Choose the transformation you want to apply from the submenu.
Available transformations include
- Scale Enlarges or reduces an item relative to its reference point, the fixed point around which transformations are performed. You can scale horizontally, vertically, or both horizontally and vertically.
- Rotate - Turns an item around a reference point. By default, this point is at the center of the object; however, you can move it to another location.
- Skew - Slants an item vertically and horizontally.
- Distort - Stretches an item in all directions.
- Perspective - Applies one‑point perspective to an item.
- Warp - Manipulates the shape of an item.
- Rotate - rotates the item by the specified number of degrees, either clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW)
- Flip - Flips the item vertically or horizontally.
These can be used on individual items as well as whole layers - but if you find yourself doing this, it's good practise to put the item in a layer of its own.
Merging, Linking and Flattening Layers
Merging
Combines visible, linked, or adjacent layers into a single layer. The intersection of all transparent areas is retained. You can merge layers or layer groups. You can also merge adjustment or fill layers, but they can’t act as the target layer for the merge. Merging layers can help decrease your file size and make your document more manageable. But you can still only use a file format which supports layers.Flattening an image
Combines all visible layers into a background. Hidden layers are deleted, and any transparent areas are filled with white. Flattening is usually only used when you’re completely finished editing and image.Converting an image from one colour mode to another may cause the file to flatten. Watch for warning dialog box about this, and if necessary make a backup copy of the file in native Photoshop format in the current colour made, in case you need to access things from the layers again.
How to Merge Layers
- Ensure that the layers and layer sets you want to merge are all visible.
- Right click and choose Merge Visible from the Layers panel menu or the Layer menu.
- All visible layers are smushed into a single layer.
If you hold down Alt (Option on the Mac) when choosing Layer→Merge Visible, Photoshop will; merges those layers onto a new one and leave the original layers intact.
Alternative method of merging layers
- Arrange the layer or layer groups that you want to merge adjacent to each other in the Layers panel.
- Select the top layer of those you want merged.
- From the Layers panel menu or the Layer menu, choose choose Merge Down (or f the top layer is a layer group, Merge Group.)
This merges your selected layer with the N layers directly below it
.
How to Link layers
- Select the layers
- right click when the layers are selected and click on Link.
Rasterizing Layers
Various functions (painting tools, filters) cannot be used on layers containing vector data (eg text layers, shape layers, vector masks, or Smart Objects) or generated data (eg fill layers).But you can rasterize these layers to change their contents into a flat, raster image, which these functions can work on.
How to rasterize a layer
- Select the layer(s)
- From the menu, choose Layer > Rasterize, and then choose an option from the sub-menu:
- Type - rasterizes the type on a type layer. It does not rasterize any other vector data on the layer.
- Shape- rasterizes a shape layer.
- Fill Content - fasterizes the fill of a shape layer, leaving the vector mask.
- Vector Mask - vasterizes the vector mask on a layer, turning it into a layer mask.
- Smart Object - Converts a Smart Object into a raster layer.
- Video - rasterizes the current video frame to an image layer.
- 3D (Extended only) - rasterizes the current view of 3D data into a flat raster layer.
- Layer - rasterizes all vector data on the selected layers.
- All Layers - rasterizes all layers that contain vector and generated data.
To rasterize linked layers
- Choose one a linked layer
- From the menu, choose Layer > Select Linked Layers,
- Rasterize as above
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