Basic rules/rationale for using layers?

WH
Posted By
William_H_Parker
Dec 14, 2003
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455
Replies
4
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Closed
I’ve been using PS for about a year and use layers – and adjustment layers – extensively but haven’t found anything in the help feature about "the best ways" for example to use layers. I’ve been figuring it out for myself as I go. I’d like to find some material on layers usage e.g., what are the rules for order in the stack? … for how many copies of the background layer can exist and function in the stack (it appears to me that the topmost copy of the background layer masks effects applied to lower layers)?

Any advice on where to find some really good basic stuff on how and when to use layers?

Thanks,

Bill

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CW
Colin_Walls
Dec 14, 2003
Hmmmm. Bit of an open question …
I’ll try a few points:

You can have no more than one "background layer" – i.e. a layer that cannot be transparent; erasing gives the background colour. You can convert that to a "normal" layer by double-clicking on its name.

The stack is "viewed" from the top. So, any part of an image layer with 100% opacity will block stuff below it. Adjustment layer order sometimes matters, sometimes doesn’t – depends on the adjustment.

A sequence of "normal" blend, 100% opacity layers only makes sense in 2 situations:
1) when an underlying one is just a backup copy.
2) when the uppermost one has a mask [this is very common]

A quick example:
Say you have an image to sharpen. Make a copy of the layer. Apply Unsharp Mask quite aggressively. Then back off the opacity on that layer and you can tune the sharpening.

This is not answering everything. Hopefully it gives you some info/ideas. Please come back with more specific questions.
CK
Christine_Krof_Shock
Dec 14, 2003
Or using layers as a test bed for ideas–dupicate original layer, play with it, if you don’t like it–trash it. And you have the original right there in your file to go back to.

Great way to keep things organized also (especially using layer sets) I used to do different comps (not as applicable in CS)on different layers or layer sets and then turn them on and off.

Also blending modes in layers can really improve images–sometimes using several duplicated layers with a different blending mode per layer (especially screen and multiply) can improve a difficult image better than curves or levels. Great for over/under exposed images.

Masks! Using layer or vector masks on a layer simplifies the masking process. It remains editable (unlike quick mask if you do not save the selection as an alpha channel) and you can change your mind about masking at any time.
WH
William_H_Parker
Dec 15, 2003
Colin:

Thanks much. Very helpful. > I know my question was pretty broad but your examples helped me a lot. As I use layers, I learn a lot by inference and experience. But it’s been interesting to me that there isn’t a lot of info on the "when & why" of using layers and the effects on lower layers of operations on the higher layers in the Photoshop Help feature. > I did just find what appears to be some good info in the Adobe "Tips and Tech" site (http://www.adobeevangelists.com/photoshop/index.html). They have several segments on layers including "Beginning Layers" and "Advanced Layers." Haven’t read through them yet but, at least by titles, they look promising.

Bill
WH
William_H_Parker
Dec 15, 2003
Christine:

Thanks for your information. I was especially interested in the piece on using several duplicates with different blending modes to improve over or underexposed images. I’ve been finding that digital camera (Dimage 7) seems to have limited dynamic range. High contrast scenes, e.g., forest with sunlight in spots, are difficult to expose without either blowing out the highlights or way underexposing the areas with less light. Will be interesting to try your suggestion on some of these images.

Bill

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