Layers

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Web Graphics

March 10, 2008


If you want to do any complex edits or adjustments to your photos, you will need to learn how to work with layers.

Layer Stack With Three Layers
Layer stack with three layers

A Stack of Layers

Think of layers like a stack of transparent index cards. When you open a photo, it completely fills one index card (layer). You can then add additional layers of images, drawings, and text on top of the background layer, like stacking index cards on top of each other. Each layer is completely separate from the others, and you can edit each layer separately. For example, on each layer, you can:

  • Add text
  • Add custom shapes
  • Add photos
  • Make selections
  • Move selected objects
  • Move the entire layer
  • Apply filters
  • Add special effects

How Layers Interact

What is really neat about layers is how they interact with each other! One handy feature is the ability to move layers around to change the position of the layer contents in relation to the layer below, or to move the layer up and down in the layer stack to place one object in front of another object. Think of how you can rearrange index cards — layers work in a similar way.

Transparent Pixels

Remember we compared a layer to a transparent index card? Wherever there are transparent pixels on a layer, the pixels of the layer beneath it will show through.

Because of this quality of layers, you can add layers of text or custom shapes on top of a photo, and the underlying photo will show through where there are transparent pixels on the shape and text layers. The following image shows the result when a shape layer and a text layer were added on top of a photo layer (see Layer Stack example above).

Photo with three layers

If you had added the shape and the text directly to the photo layer, the original photo would have changed and the changes would be fixed — you would have to undo or start over to make changes. However, because the text and the shape are on separate layers, the original photo is untouched and you can go back and adjust the text and the shape at any time, for example:

  • On the shape layer, resize the shape or change its color.
  • On the text layer, change the font and size.
  • Move the text and the shape to a different location on the image.

Opacity and Blending Modes

You can also change how pixels filled with color interact with pixels on the layers below. You can change the opacity of a layer so that some of the pixels of the layer below show through.

You can also use blending modes to blend the pixels of two layers together to get very interesting results. We'll explore how blending modes work in other lessons.

Why Use Layers?

Once you start using layers, you'll never want to stop! By using layers, you can make changes to your photos non-destructively because you do not change the pixels on the original image. You can modify layers as many times as you want and never lose the original image. Using layers, you can:

  • Perform delicate retouching and editing of photos
  • Place objects or people from one image on another image
  • Add text callouts
  • Add shapes
  • Add special effects to only selected objects or text
  • Create artistic collages and other creations

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Updated on May 24, 2008