Photoshop LAYERS Tutorial: What is Layer?

By stacking images on top of each other without interacting with or mixing the images’ pixels, layers in Photoshop enable non-destructive work. The only feature that makes Photoshop an excellent tool for photo editing and compositing is “Layer.” Multiple images can be stacked, text can be added to an image, vector graphics can be added, and so on.

In this Photoshop Layers tutorial, we will now learn how to add a layer and how to use layers in Photoshop.

Step 1:

We can add or remove them whenever we want. Step 1: Invisible Layer Now, when you create or open an image in Photoshop, the layer panel is visible.

By default, a background layer is visible.

Step 2:

• Unlock the Layer There is a lock icon on it. thus locking the layer. It indicates that you cannot move or perform similar actions. due to the lock on the layer.
• Therefore, we can unlock a layer in a variety of ways. We can double-click on a locked layer as one of them. You can change the name of the locked layer in a pop-up window by pressing OK.
• Now that it is unlocked, you can see that our Photoshop layer has a new name as well.
• You will now be able to move the layer with ease, and as you move it, you will be able to see the transparency checker pattern behind it.
• All of this points to a transparent background. It is possible to modify it in the preferences.
• Let’s now look at a different way to unlock Photoshop layers.
• To unlock the layer, all you have to do is grab that lock symbol and drag it to the trash.
• Now that this is the background layer, drag and drop an additional image to the center by pressing the shift key.

Step 3:

Creating a New Layer The layer panel shows what happened. Instead of adding or mixing pixels from the Photoshop background layer, it has created a new layer on top of the layer panel.

Step 4:

Disable the Eye Symbol Layer The eye symbol for each layer can be seen in the layer panel. You can activate or disable the layer by clicking the eye icon.

These are the two “images,” but let’s look at the “text” now. After adding some text, look in the layer panel to see that a new text layer has been added to the top.

Therefore, the most important aspect of the Photoshop layers system is to separate each item into its own layer and prevent them from destroying or mixing with one another.

Step 5:

The Layer Mask Now, let’s talk about the “layer mask,” which is one of the best features of the layer. A layer’s pixels can be hidden or shown with a Photoshop layer mask without deleting them. If we want to hide a portion of the image without the mask, we must delete that portion using the tools panel’s eraser tool. Another image that is attached to the layer is the layer mask.

By clicking on this icon, you can take a layer mask, or you can select the layer, open the “layer” menu, go to layer mask, and select “reveal all.”

You may have noticed that it adds a new layer with white color, which will reveal everything in the image.

Step 6:

• Use a Layer Mask to hide a portion of the image Now that I want to hide a portion of the image, you can use the brush tool instead of the eraser. Additionally, we can see that the layer mask is filled with white, indicating that I will paint in black. When I use the eraser tool, you can see that I’m doing the same thing I always have.
• However, I haven’t deleted anything in this instance; rather, I’m just using Photoshop’s layer masking to hide those pixels.
• Examine the layer mask. The layer’s contents are obscured by the black paint that has been applied to this area.
• The layer mask will be disabled and everything on that layer will be visible if I click on it while holding down the shift key. therefore, I have not deleted anything.

Step 7:

Blending Modes With the blend mode, you can blend any layer with another layer that is below it. For instance, if I select this layer, change the blending mode to overlay from normal, and so on.

Check out how well it blends in with the background image. You can test various blend modes.

• However, the layer is not mixing with the other layer, which is positive. It is still distinct. I can get my original image back to how it was before if I change the blend mode to normal.
• These were all the fundamental ideas behind Photoshop’s layer system.
• In Photoshop, layers can be used to add text, images, shapes, and in the most recent version, even a 3D model can be added to the layer panel and worked on.
• Summary By stacking images on top of other images without interfering with or mixing their pixels, layers in Photoshop enable non-destructive work.
• The layer panel is accessible when an image is created or opened in Photoshop.
• To unlock a layer, we can double-click on a locked layer. You can change the name of the locked layer in a pop-up window by pressing OK.
• You can see that each layer has an eye symbol in the layer panel. You can activate or disable the layer by clicking the eye icon.
• A layer’s pixels can be hidden or shown with a Photoshop layer mask without deleting them.
• You can blend any layer with another layer below it using the blend mode. For instance, if I select this layer, change the blending mode to overlay from normal, and so on.