Jen
Creative Chick
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Layers
Sept 30, 2009 21:34:24 GMT -6
Post by Jen on Sept 30, 2009 21:34:24 GMT -6
When using Photoshop it helps to have a basic understanding of layers. You can put whatever you want on a layer. A photograph, gradient, shape, solid color, type. You can even draw on a layer. When you create a new file in Photoshop you'll see a layer is automatically added in the Layers palette.
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Jen
Creative Chick
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Posts: 8,309
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Layers
Sept 30, 2009 21:35:03 GMT -6
Post by Jen on Sept 30, 2009 21:35:03 GMT -6
You can rename a layer by double clicking on its name and then typing in the new one.
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Jen
Creative Chick
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Posts: 8,309
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Layers
Sept 30, 2009 21:40:35 GMT -6
Post by Jen on Sept 30, 2009 21:40:35 GMT -6
You can add a layer by clicking on the Create a new layer button. When you do a new layer is added in the Layers palette. You can add as many layers as you want. You'll notice only one layer, Layer 6, is highlighted. Whatever layer is highlighted in the Layers palette is the active layer.
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Jen
Creative Chick
Admin
Posts: 8,309
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Layers
Sept 30, 2009 21:41:33 GMT -6
Post by Jen on Sept 30, 2009 21:41:33 GMT -6
To delete a layer you can either click and drag the layer down to the trash can icon then release. Or you can click on a layer and then click on the trash can icon. A dialog window will pop up where you click Yes.
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Jen
Creative Chick
Admin
Posts: 8,309
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Layers
Sept 30, 2009 21:42:10 GMT -6
Post by Jen on Sept 30, 2009 21:42:10 GMT -6
When working with layers the order in which they are are stacked in the Layers palette can determine what will be seen in your file. Imagine a layer is a transparent piece of glass and each piece of glass you have is stacked on top of one another. Here I have three shapes each on its own layer. If you couldn't see the Layers palette you might think they're all on one layer. Below is an easier way to see how the Layers (pieces of glass) above are stacked on top of one another.
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Jen
Creative Chick
Admin
Posts: 8,309
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Layers
Sept 30, 2009 21:42:47 GMT -6
Post by Jen on Sept 30, 2009 21:42:47 GMT -6
In the picture below I've moved the red circle over to the right so it's hiding the green triangle. If you look in the Layers palette, purple arrow, the triangle hasn't gone anywhere. Below is an easier way to see how it looks.
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Jen
Creative Chick
Admin
Posts: 8,309
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Layers
Sept 30, 2009 21:43:38 GMT -6
Post by Jen on Sept 30, 2009 21:43:38 GMT -6
In the picture below I've moved the black square over to the right so it's hiding both the red circle and green triangle. Below is an easier way to see how it looks.
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Jen
Creative Chick
Admin
Posts: 8,309
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Layers
Sept 30, 2009 21:44:33 GMT -6
Post by Jen on Sept 30, 2009 21:44:33 GMT -6
The other thing you can find in the Layers palette is a Background. The Background will always be at the bottom. It doesn't matter how many layers you have it's impossible to add or place them under the Background in the Layers palette.
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Jen
Creative Chick
Admin
Posts: 8,309
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Layers
Sept 30, 2009 21:51:12 GMT -6
Post by Jen on Sept 30, 2009 21:51:12 GMT -6
Just like a layer you can have anything be the Background. A color. A gradient. A photograph. Whatever you want can be the Background.
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Jen
Creative Chick
Admin
Posts: 8,309
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Layers
Sept 30, 2009 21:51:51 GMT -6
Post by Jen on Sept 30, 2009 21:51:51 GMT -6
The difference between a Layer and a Background is a Layer can have transparent sections but a background cannot. If you were to erase what was on a layer you'd get a transparent section. Through this section you'd be able to see whatever was on any of the layers beneath it in the Layers palette. But if you were to erase a section of a Background you'd see the current background color in the toolbox.
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