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Learning Photoshop Layers and Effects – Lesson Three

Posted on 02. Oct, 2009 by bmackler in Photoshop

In Photoshop, layers are used to work on individual parts of an image while not affecting other parts. It’s hard to believe there was ever a time when layers didn’t exist inside Photoshop. Yet prior to Photoshop 3, they didn’t. Thankfully we have come a long way since Photoshop 3.

There is no question in my mind that layers are the single most important aspect of Photoshop. Everything worth doing in Photoshop must be done with the use of layers.

Layers maintain such a vital role that they have their own palette as well as category in the Menu Bar. You have the ability to add layers, delete layers, name layers, rename layers, move layers, adjust layers, mask layers, show and hide layers, blend layers, lock and unlock layers, add effects to layers, group and ungroup layers, and even change the opacity of layers.

Layers Panel

A.  Blending mode – Changes the way the layers interact with the layer below it. Its always a good idea to experiment with the different modes.

B.  Layer opacity - Adjusts how transparent each layer is. 0 %-  100%.

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

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

E.  Lock Position - You can make any changes except for moving the image on that specific layer.

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

G. Layer Visibility - Layer is either turned on or turned off

H.  Lock - Indicates if layer is editable or not

I. Link Layers – Link and move several layers at the same time

J. Layer styles: Special effects for your layers.  Various filters and effects.

K. Layer mask: Allows you to paint/delete away parts of your layer without damaging your original image.

L. New Adjustment layer: Allows adjustment of colors to a layer by creating a new layer on top of it.

M. Create a new set: Allows you to organize your layers into folders.

N. New Layer: Click to add a new empty layer. Or drag an existing layer thumbnail to create a duplicate.

O. Delete: Will delete an entire layer. Either Drag the thumbnail to the icon or select the layer and click on the trash can (delete icon).

Explaining Layers

Imagine that layers are objects and one is stacked on top of another. You have a piece of paper and color it blue. Then take a peice of plastic and draw clouds, and put it on top of the paper.  Now take another piece of plastic draw a house and put it on top of the clouds.  I now have a  blue background and 2 layers  (house and clouds) on top that make up the entire composite image.    Photoshop outputs .psd files as its native format.   This format retains the uncompressed layered graphic you created, allowing you to go back and edit the master.  Once saved as a jpg, gif or png does it compress and make it un-editable.

Layers

Naming layers

A good idea is to rename each layer to something more descriptive.  The default name – “Layer 1″ won’t help you in six months when  you forget where everything is on the psd file. Double-click on the default layer name in each layer on the layers palette and you will see the Layer Options dialog box appear. Enter a new name for your layer in the name field  box and click OK to rename the layer.

Moving layers around

Once something is placed on a layer you have the option of moving it around the canvas.  To do this, select the Move tool from the toolbar, or press the V key.  Choose the layer you want to work with in the Layers palette, then you can move the layer around by clicking with the mouse in the document window and dragging.

Moving Layers

A handy shortcut is to just hold down the Control key and drag to move your layer around.  This way you don’t need to switch back and forth on the toolbar – the current tool remains active while you move the layer.

You can also move layers above or below other layers in the document, shift its order in the document.  To do this, click on the layer in the Layers palette and drag them up and down the layer pallete.

Moving Layers

Dupilcating Layers

Many times you will want to duplicate an existing layer. Sometimes its for an effect, sometimes it is because you want to retain the original while trying something else.   To make a copy of a layer, either drag the layer in the Layers palette to the New icon at the bottom of the palette, or select the layer and then select Layer > Duplicate Layer

Deleting layers

If you want to delete a layer, highlight the one in question and drag it down to the trash can icon. Or select Delete Layer from the Layer menu.

Using Layer Effects and Styles

Perhaps one of the most fun things to do in Photoshop is to play with its suite of layer styles and effects.  There is simply so much to use and once you think you have tried everything, you realize there so many other applications for each effect.  To add your own layer effects, and create your own styles Right Click your Layer, and select Blending Options or click the layer styles icon at the bottom of your layers panel (as seen in J above). This will bring up the Layer Style Options.

Layer Styles

A. Style Presets - List of the Style Presets.

B. Effects - The various effects that can be used in a layer style. It’s important to note that by clicking on the name of any of the effects will enable that effect, and display the options for the individual effect.

C. Options / Settings - When the name for an effect is checked, it’s options will be shown here. When Blending Options is selected, settings such as Opacity, Fill, and other advanced options will be displayed.

D. Layer Style Preview - A preview of the Layer Style.

Effects (B) can be enabled by checking them, and likewise, disabled by unchecking them. To edit an effect, you need to click the name (rather than checkbox). The effects settings will be displayed in the Options area (C), where they can be easily adjusted. To apply a set of effects and options, press OK.

Layer Styles Presets

Layer styles are preset effects that are  easily used to specific layers in Photoshop.  All you need to do is choose your layer and then option the styles panel and choose the effect and thats it…For more advanced users you can create your own for use in the styles panel.

Layer Styles

Layer Effects

Styles can be built with the following effects:

• Drop Shadow – Creates a shadow behind the layers contents.
• Inner Shadow – Creates a shadow on top of the layers contents.
• Outer Glow - Creates a glow behind the layers contents. Cannot be distanced like the drop shadow.
• Inner Glow – Creates a glow on top of the layers contents. Again, cannot be distanced like the inner shadow.
• Bevel and Emboss - Used to create unique highlight and shadow effects on a layers contents.
• Satin - Gives the layer contents a satin-like, glossy appearance.
• Color Overlay - Fills the layer contents with a solid color.
• Gradient Overlay - Fills the layer contents with a gradient.
• Pattern Overlay - Fills the layer contents with a pattern.
• Stroke - Creates an outline on layer contents using a solid color, gradient, or pattern.

Lesson

Here is a step by step illustrating one of the more commonly used layer styles.  Drop Shadow.  Try this out to get a feel for the process.

1.  Create a new document in Photoshop

Layer Effect - new document

2.  use the Type Tool to add some large, black text.

Layer Effect - Type Tool

3.  Right Click the text layer, and Select Blending Options.

Layer Effect - Blending Options

4.  Click Drop Shadow. Check the Drop Shadow Effect, and click on it to bring up it’s options.

Layer Effects - Drop Shadow Options

As you’re making adjustments, you should be able to see changes being made in your actual document. Keeping an eye on your document while adding effects will allow you to better determine how to adjust settings.

Layer Effect - Applying drop shadow

5. Click OK to apply the layer style you’ve created.

Now, try this with each of  the layer styles, make sure you have preview on to see the changes while you are doing them.  Play with all the options until you have created an effect that you like.  And of course you can apply as many effects to a layer as you wish.

These active layer effects are now available and editable from the layer panel and can be accessed by double clicking on the effect name that is underneath the layer

Layer Effects Accesible Under Specific Layer

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