Photoshop Layers

Of all the features available in Photoshop, none is probably as important as the ability to create multiple layers in your image and move and edit them independent of the other layers. I created the title for this page by making 5 different colors of the word "Layers" and moving them to overlap each other.

This technique might allow you, for example, to take the head of one individual and place it on the shoulders of another. Layering also allow your to create some psuedo-3D images like the initials "SJA" to the left.

Each time you add something new to an image(text, copy the existing layer, or add another image), Photoshop creates a new layer. You can see the layers in the Layers window on the right. To edit a particular layer, you need to hightlight it in the Layers window. As you can see in the window on the right, we are currently editing Layer 5. When you are clicked on a layer, you can only work with that layer. The other layers will be unaffected by anything you do. This allows you to get very creative. You can move a layer to various depths by grabbing the layer and dragging it up or down the window. In the window to the right, Layer 5 is on top. You can also drag and drop an unwanted layer in the trash can in the lower right hand corner. When you have all the layers edited just the way you want them, go to the menu on top and do Layer...Flatten Image. Before you do this however, make sure that you have saved an original layered copy for later changes. Once you "flatten" the image, you can never seperate the layers again. Your new image is now ready to be Saved for the Web as a .gif or .jpg..

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