Subject Descriptors: Layers palette, Background layer, Merge, Merge Layers, Link layers, link, Change layer order, Unlock background, Unlock layer.
Application (Version): Adobe Photoshop CS3
Task Description: How do use the layers pallet?
Tutorial Date: 14 May 2009, by Arnousone Chanthalyxay
- The layer palette allows you to view all of the layers that are on your document.
- Make sure that the correct layer is selected to be able to move or edit the layer.
- Renaming layers will allow you to easily keep track of them.
1 - Select "Windows"
2 - Select "Layers"
To add a new layer, select the "New Layer" icon at the bottom of the layers palette.
To delete a layer, select the layer you want to delete and then select the "Trash" icon at the bottom of your layers palette.
- To keep a layer, but hide it from view, select the layer you want to hide and click on the "Eye" icon next to the layer.
- To view the layer again, click in the box where the "Eye" icon use to be.
- Linking layers will make it so if you do something to one layer it will also happen to the layer(s) that are linked to it.
- To link a layer, select a layer you want linked. Then click on the space next to the layer you would like linked. A "Chain" icon should appear.
- Select the layer you would like to move. Hold down your mouse bottom while dragging it to its new position in the layers palette.
- Moving your layers around will make it so the layer that is above the selected layer will be in front of the layer (if they overlap) and the layer below the selected layer will be behind the selected layer.
- Merging layers will allow you to take different layers and put them in to one.
- If I wanted to move the image of the fire to the right side of the screen, instead of moving one individually, I could merge them together so they would all move together.
All of the images of fire are moved so that they are next to each other.
To select all layers hold down "Ctrl" on the keyboard and click on the layers that you want to have merged together.
Merge Layers - will merge the selected layers together.
Merge Visible - will merge all visible layers together, but not the hidden layers.
Flatten Image - will flatten your entire document into one layer. Any hidden layers will be discarded.
Now all the images of fire are all merged together into one layer.
- If a layer is set as your "Background" layer then you will not be allowed to make any adjustments to this layer.
- Usually if you open an image it will become the "Background" layer by default.
1 - Rename the layer or keep the default name
2 - Click on "OK"
Notice that the icon of the "Lock" has disappeared and the layer name has been changed.
