Visual Graphics NCIII

Module 10: Getting Started with

Adobe Photoshop
 Module 10 - Lesson 8
Working with Layers and adding
Layer Masks
 Learning Objectives
At the end of the training period, participant should learn the
following:
• Define Layers
• Working with the Layers Panels
• Converting a background layer into a regular layer
• Renaming, Moving and Deleting Layers
• Copying, Duplicating and Grouping Layers
• Working with Layers using keyboard shortcuts
• Applying Blending Modes in a layer
• Adding Layer Mask
About layers
Every Photoshop file contains one or more layers. New files are generally created
with a background layer, which contains a color or an image that shows through the
transparent areas of subsequent layers. All new layers in an image are transparent
until you add text or artwork (pixel values).

Working with layers is analogous to placing portions of a drawing on clear sheets of

film, such as those viewed with an overhead projector: Individual sheets may be
edited, repositioned, and deleted without affecting the other sheets. When the
sheets are stacked, the entire composition is visible.
About layers
***Photoshop layers are like sheets of stacked acetate. You can see through transparent
areas of a layer to the layers below. You move a layer to position the content on the layer,
like sliding a sheet of acetate in a stack. You can also change the opacity of a layer to
make content partially transparent.
You use layers to perform tasks such as compositing multiple images, adding text to an
image, or adding vector graphic shapes. You can apply a layer style to add a special effect
such as a drop shadow or a glow.

Transparent areas on a layer let you see layers below.

Using the Layers panel
The Layers panel lists all the layers in an image, displaying the layer names and thumbnails
of the content on each layer. You can use the Layers panel to hide, view, reposition, delete,
rename, and merge layers. The layer thumbnails are automatically updated as you edit the
layers.

1. If the Layers panel is not visible in the work area, choose Window > Layers. The
Layers panel lists five layers for the 04Working.psd file (from top to bottom):
Postage, HAWAII, Flower, Pineapple, and Background.
2. Select the Background layer to make it active (if it’s not already selected). Notice
the layer thumbnail and the icons shown for the Background layer:

a. The lock icon ( ) indicates that the layer is protected.

b. The eye icon ( ) indicates that the layer is visible in the image window.
If you click the eye, the image window no longer displays that layer.
Photoshop Layers panel overview
The Layers panel in Photoshop lists all layers, layer groups, and layer effects in an image.
You can use the Layers panel to show and hide layers, create new layers, and work with
groups of layers. You can access additional commands and options in the Layers panel
menu.

Photoshop Layers panel

A. Layers panel menu B. Filter C. Layer Group
D. Layer E. Expand/Collapse Layer effects
F. Layer effect G. Layer thumbnail
About the background layer
When you create a new image with a white or colored background, the bottom layer in
the Layers panel is named Background. An image can have only one background layer.
You cannot change the stacking order of a background layer, its blending mode, or its
opacity. You can, however, convert a background layer to a regular layer. When you
create a new image with transparent content, the image doesn’t have a background
layer. The bottom layer isn’t constrained like the background layer; you can move it
anywhere in the Layers panel, and change its opacity and blending mode.

To convert a background layer into a regular layer:

1. Click the lock icon next to the layer name.
2. Rename the layer.
To convert a regular layer into a background layer:
1. Select a layer in the Layers panel.
2. Choose Layer > New > Background From Layer.

What you can do inside the Layers panel:

 Renaming Layers
 Moving Layers
 Deleting Layers
 Copying/duplicating Layers
 Grouping Layers
Anatomy of
Layers
 THE LAYER’S NAME

Photoshop places the new image on a layer

named Background. It’s named Background because
it serves as the background for our document. We
can see the name of each layer displayed in its row.
The Background layer is actually a special type of
layer in Photoshop
PREVIEW THUMBNAIL
 CHANGE THUMBNAIL
SIZE
1. Resize the Layer Panel by adjusting
the bottom right corner windows.
2. Right-click and choose either:
Small, medium or Large
Thumbnails
 LAYER VISIBILITY

Click the Eye button in the left side of

the Layer Name to hide or unhide the
Layer.
 CHANGING BACKGROUND TO LAYER

Double click the background layer and

Rename the Layer
Or
Right-click and select Layer from
Background
Or
Click the New Layer Icon
 ADDING A NEW LAYER

Press the New Layer icon to create a New

Layer at the top of the active Layer
Or
Shift + Ctrl + N
Or
Go to Layers Menu -> New – Layer

The Checkerboard denotes that the active layer

is transparent
 ADDING A NEW LAYER

TRANSPARENCY SETTINGS
TO CHANGE THE COLOR OF THE
CHECKERBOARD (OPTIONAL)

• PRESS CTRL + K
• SELECT TRANSPARENCY & GAMUT
• SELECT WHITE AND GREY COLOR
AND CHANGE THEIR COLOR IN THE
COLOR PICKER BOX
 MOVING LAYERS (REPOSITION)

Click the Layer/Layers then

drag up or down

• Ctrl + } (right bracket)

– Bring to front
• Ctrl + { (left bracket)
– Send to Back
 ACTIVE LAYER

The blue selection is the Active Layer.

In the Image Canvass, you can view &
select the same active layer by using
the Move tool, right click and select
the
Layer’s Name
 DELETING LAYER

Click the Active Layer and:

Click the Trash Icon
Press Delete in your keyboard
Go to Layer Menu -> Delete -> Layer

After you delete the Layer, the Layer will

automatically switch to a new Active Layer
 COPYING/DUPLICATE A LAYER

• Press Ctrl + J
• Drag the Layer to the New Layer’s Icon
• Press Alt
• Go to Layer -> Duplicate Layer
• Right-click the Active Layer ->
Duplicate Layer
 RENAMING A LAYER

Double click the Active Layer to the Text portion of

the Layer.

Note: You must place correctly the cursor in the text

portion of the Active Layer to activate the text or
else either Blending options, adjustment layers or
layer mask will be activated when the cursor is
misplace after you click
 ADDING ADJUSTMENT LAYERS

Click the New fill or adjustment

Layer Icon
Or
Go to Image -> Adjustment and
select desired adjustment layer
 CHANGING LAYERS BLENDING MODE

Make sure the your Layer is not a

background. The Blending Mode options
only applies in an active Layer. While the
Active Layer is selected, click the Normal
option in upper part of the Layers Panel
Windows and select desired blending
mode.
GROUP LAYERS
or

Select one layer by holding Ctrl Holding Shift key and click the
key and select one layer at a last layer at the bottom to Select
time All and Select Ctrl + G
And press Ctrl + G
 LAYERS STYLE

Make sure the your Layer is not a background. The

Layers Style options only applies in an active Layer.
While the Active Layer is selected, click the Layer Style
icon and select Blending Options.
Or
Double click the Active Layer
Or
Right-click and select Blending Options
 LOCK LAYERS

Click the Lock icon at the upper part of the

Layer’s Panel to lock specific or multiple layer
or groups to eliminate possible changes.
When the Layer is lock when the Layer is
 LOCK LAYERS

Types of Layer Locks

- Lock All
- Lock Position
- Lock Image Pixel
- Lock Transparent Pixels
 LOCK LAYERS

Types of Layer Locks

- Lock All - locks transparent pixels and pixel position (the visible image pixels can’t be moved or altered in
any way).
- Lock Position - prevents visible pixels from being moved.
- Lock Image Pixel - prevents visible pixels on the layer from being altered in any way
LOCK LAYERS
 MERGE /
FLATTEN LAYERS
 MERGE/FLATTEN LAYERS

Merge means combine all layer into one Layer to:

- Eliminate possible changes
- Save a compressed copy of the file when working with multiple layers
- To save disk space when saving .PSD files.
Types of Layers Merging:
• Merge Layers (Ctrl + E) – visible when the multiple layers are selected
• Merge Group (Ctrl + E) – visible when the active layer is group in the Layers Menu
• Merge Visible (Ctrl + Shift + E)- combine all layers into one layer
• Flatten Image – combine all layers into single layer and converts it to background (Go to Layers-
>Flatten Image)
 LAYERS OPTIONS
* NEW IN PHOTOSHOP CS6
The additional options in CS6 controls only the Layers
Panel, not the Image Canvass. When you select a
particular button above the Layer’s Panel windows, the
option changes the viewing of particular Layers that are
organized into group. For example, in this image, the
user click the Adjustment layer icon, so that only the
Adjustment Layer is visible inside the windows. The red
switch allows you to turn off/on this option.
 ADDING A LAYERS
Activity 10.8.1: Working with Layers

*** Refer to Laboratory Activity 10.7

 ADDING A LAYER MASK

Click the Layer Mask icon to active the Layer

mask and make sure the Gradient tool
options is set to Black and White to apply
the effect.

• Press G to activate Gradient Tool

• Press X to Switch Black to White
Understanding Layer Mask
 Layer & Layer Mask

• Layer Mask VS Opacity

• Opacity VS Fill
• Using Gradient to create a stunning background effect
• Using Blending Mode to create a nice
• single color Image
• Clipping Mask
• Introduction to Levels & Curves
 About Layer Mask

You can add a mask to a layer and use the mask to hide portions of the
layer and reveal the layers below. Masking layers is a valuable compositing
technique for combining multiple photos into a single image or for
removing a person or object from a photo.
 Layer Mask vs Layer Opacity

Layer Opacity
changes the transparency level for the entire
layer at once.
 OPACITY VS FILL

Fill affects only pixels, shapes, or text.

It does not affect the opacity of layer
effects/styles that you’ve applied, such
as drop shadows, bevel & emboss,
stroke, etc.
 OPACITY VS FILL

In short, Fill allows the

layer to activate its
transparency while leaving
the Layers Style applied.
 Layer Mask vs Layer Opacity

Layer Mask
It allows you to control a layer’s
level of transparency
Layer Mask

PRESS G

PRESS X

LAYER MASK

DARK – INVISIBLE
WHITE – VISIBLE
 Activity 10.8.2: Masking Pt.1

*** Refer to Laboratory Activity 10.7

 EFFECTS USING LAYER MASK

Using Gradient Tool to create a

stunning background effect

Using Blending Options to create a nice

single color image.
 EFFECTS USING LAYER MASK

Activity 10.8.3: Masking Pt.2

*** Refer to Laboratory Activity 10.7

 DIFFERENT TYPES OF MASKING IN
PHOTOSHOP

• CLIPPING MASK
• USING REFINE EDGE
• QUICK MASK
• LAYER MASK
• VECTOR MASK (USING SHAPES)
• ADJUSTMENT LAYER MASK
 CLIPPING MASK

CLIPPING MASKS ALLOW YOU TO USE THE

PIXELS OF ONE LAYER TO DEFINE WHERE A
SECOND LAYER "SHOWS UP."
 EFFECTS USING LAYER MASK

Color Splash - Colored image

in focus the rest is grayscale
 EFFECTS USING LAYER MASK

Color Splash - Colored image

in focus the rest is grayscale
 What is Color Splash?

By isolating one single color and converting the rest of the photograph to black and
white, you can create a visually-engaging artistic photograph. This directions will work on
any modern version of Photoshop including CS4, CS5, and CS6 and later.

The color splash effect is frequently used by photographers. Using this Photoshop
technique, it is quite easy to isolate a single color within the image and create this effect.
This works best if the color of the subject stands out from the background.
 Activity 10.8.4: Designing a Movie Poster

*** Refer to Laboratory Activity 10.7

- main character/s
- name of cast
- sponsors including your logo
- taglines
- catchy text
- movie ratings (PG18 etc.)