How To Place An Object Behnd A Background In Ps Cs5

Lesson 10: Doing More than with Layers

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Introduction

Equally we discussed in our lesson on understanding layers, there are many means to use layers in Photoshop. So far, nosotros've covered a few cardinal skills, including how to use adjustment layers. In this lesson, nosotros'll encompass some of the more advanced options, like opacity, blending modes, layer masks, and layer groups. We'll besides provide links to additional resources if you want to learn more than almost using these tools.

If you'd similar to follow forth, you tin can download our example file.

Layer opacity

You tin control the opacity for almost every layer in a Photoshop document. The opacity determines how transparent or opaque the layer volition be. In other words, it controls how much the layers beneath can testify through. Take a look at the case beneath.

This case uses two different Text layers and a Groundwork layer. The mountains text layer has an opacity of 100%. This layer is completely opaque, pregnant zilch below the letters tin can prove through. By contrast, the appalachian text layer has an opacity of 15%. This layer is mostly transparent, significant you can see through the letters to the background layer.

You lot can also change the opacity of an Adjustment layer to make it more than subtle. For example, if you lot have a Curves layer that is likewise intense, y'all could reduce the opacity to lxx-fourscore%. In many situations, this may exist easier than modifying the adjustment layer itself.

To adjust layer opacity:

1. Select the desired layer, so click the Opacity drib-downwardly arrow at the top of the Layers panel.

   

2. Click and elevate the slider to accommodate the opacity. You'll see the layer opacity change in the certificate window equally you move the slider. If you lot set the opacity to 0%, the layer will become completely transparent, or invisible.

   

Try this!

Open up the example file, so arrange the opacity of the Text layers to run across the effect.

Groundwork transparency

By default, most Photoshop documents use a Groundwork layer. You cannot arrange the opacity of a Background layer, and information technology cannot be hidden. This is considering you won't want the background to accept transparency for near projects, particularly if y'all're working with a photo.

Even so, in that location are some situations where yous may desire a transparent background. If you lot're creating a logo for a website, for example, a transparent background will let the website's background colour to testify through, giving the logo a more than seamless and professional person expect.

If you're following along with the example file, effort hiding all layers except the Acorn layer. Come across the checkerboard blueprint behind the acorn? This ways the background is completely transparent. The checkerboard won't really exist exported when you lot save your prototype; it'southward only in that location to indicate transparency.

Annotation that if you want your image to take a transparent background, you lot'll demand to save information technology in a format that tin can handle transparency. We recommend using the PNG-24 format, which is available in the Salve for Web dialog box. JPEG files are unable to have transparent backgrounds, so they will save all transparent areas as white.

Blending modes

In improver to adjusting opacity, you lot can employ different blending modes to control how the layers in your certificate are mixed together. The blending mode menu is located at the acme of the Layers panel, next to Opacity.

If y'all're post-obit along with the case file, select the Record layer. Notice that the blending fashion is set to Multiply. Fifty-fifty though the opacity of the Record layer is set to 100%, this blending mode allows the turquoise color from the layer beneath to show through.

To change the blending fashion, click the Blending Mode drop-down card, then select the desired mode. In the example below, irresolute the blending mode to Screen will notwithstanding allow the turquoise groundwork to show through, just this fourth dimension it appears on the record instead.

Each blending way creates a dissimilar result, and some are much more than noticeable than others. It's also important to annotation that blending modes will work differently depending on the content of your layers. This ways many blending modes may look unnatural, and it'south unlikely that all of the modes will look good in your projection.

While blending modes give you a lot of flexibility, they can also exist tricky to use. To learn more than about blending modes, review this tutorial from Photo Weblog Stop.

Clipping masks

Earlier in this tutorial, we covered using adjustment layers to correct images. By default, aligning layers will affect all layers beneath them. All the same, at that place may be times when you lot merely want an adjustment layer to bear upon ane layer. To exercise this, you can use a clipping mask.

If you lot're following along with the case file, locate the small arrow next to the Gradient Map layer. This indicates that a clipping mask has been applied, which limits the aligning layer to just the Acorn layer below.

To apply a clipping mask, press and concord the Alt cardinal on your keyboard (or Choice on a Mac), then click betwixt the desired layers in the Layers panel. In this example, we're clicking between the Gradient Map and Acorn layers.

You can as well use this method to release a clipping mask. Releasing a clipping mask does non delete the layer, but information technology causes it to behave like a normal layer. For example, if yous release the clipping mask for the Gradient Map layer in the example file, it will bear on the color of all of the layers beneath it instead of just affecting the Acorn layer.

It's besides important to annotation that you can use a clipping mask to multiple adjustment layers in a higher place the same layer. For this reason, if you're already using clipping masks in your document, new aligning layers may use a clipping mask automatically.

Try this!

Open the example file. Select the Acorn layer, then add a Curves adjustment layer. Make certain a clipping mask is practical to the new layer, then change the curves in the Properties panel. Notice how the curves adjustments only affect the Acorn layer. Side by side, attempt reducing the opacity of the adjustment layers to seventy%.

To learn more about clipping masks, review this tutorial from Adobe.

Layer masks

Sometimes you may desire simply certain parts of a layer to be visible. For instance, you might want to remove the background from a layer so the layers beneath information technology tin prove through. While you could use the Eraser tool to remove the parts you don't want, this type of destructive editing may be difficult to undo. Fortunately, layer masks allow you to testify and hide parts of any layer in a nondestructive way.

Creating a layer mask can exist a bit complicated, and so let's start by looking at one that'southward already finished. If y'all're following along with the example file, select the Acorn layer. Hither, we used a layer mask to hide, or mask out, the background so the acorn is the only function of the layer that'south visible. The layer mask is represented past the blackness-and-white thumbnail to the right of the layer icon in the Layers panel. Notice how the areas that are visible in the certificate window correspond with the white surface area on the layer mask thumbnail.

The of import matter to recognize here is that the background of the Acorn layer hasn't actually been removed; it'due south just hidden. If we ever wanted to evidence more of the original epitome, we could edit or even remove the layer mask.

To edit a layer mask:

To better understand how layer masks work, allow's try editing the the Acorn layer mask. We'll be using the Brush tool, so if you've never used it we recommend reviewing our lesson on working with brushes.

1. Select the layer mask thumbnail in the Layers console. In our example, we'll select the thumbnail adjacent to the Acorn layer.
2. Next, cull the Brush tool from the Tools panel, and then gear up the Foreground Color to white.
3. Click and drag your prototype to reveal areas in the layer. In this case, we're revealing more of the groundwork by adding white paint to the layer mask.

   

4. Set the Foreground Color to black, and then click and drag your image to hibernate areas in the layer.
5. Go on using the Brush tool until you're satisfied with the result.

Y'all'll need to take your time and work carefully to go the all-time possible outcome, especially when refining the edges of the layer mask effectually an object. Information technology may exist helpful to accommodate the size, hardness, and opacity of the Brush tool.

To create a new layer mask:

Now that y'all know more virtually layer masks, you lot may want to try creating your ain.

1. Select a layer, then click the Layer Mask button at the bottom of the Layers panel. In our case, we'll create a new layer mask for the record layer.

   

2. The layer mask will appear as a white thumbnail next to the layer icon in the Layers panel. You tin and so select the thumbnail and use the Brush tool to edit the layer mask.

   

Note that you can apply multiple layer masks to the aforementioned layer. Still, this tin can become complicated, so we recommend using only 1 layer mask per layer.

Using layer masks with adjustment layers

You lot can use a layer mask to command which areas of your image are afflicted past an aligning layer. For example, if y'all have a Black and White adjustment layer, you could utilize a layer mask to convert specific areas to black and white while leaving other areas unaffected.

Every adjustment layer has a layer mask by default, so you lot won't need to create a new ane. You can but click the layer mask then apply the Brush tool to edit it.

To remove a layer mask:

1. Click and drag the layer mask thumbnail to the Trash Can in the lower-right corner of the Layers panel.
2. A dialog box volition announced. Choose Delete to remove the layer mask. Choosing Employ will actually remove the parts of the layer that are currently hidden, so you'll want to avoid this option unless you're absolutely sure that you no longer need these parts of the image.

Y'all can also press and concur the Shift key and click the thumbnail to temporarily disable the layer mask.

Creating and editing layer masks can be a challenging task, and there are many other methods for achieving good results. To larn more than, review these tutorials:

• Mask Out Part of an Epitome (Adobe)
• A Consummate Beginner's Guide to Masking in Photoshop (Design Shack)

Layer groups

Once you start working with multiple layers in your document, it can exist difficult to keep them organized. Fortunately, Photoshop allows you to group your layers. You can use groups to keep related layers together, move and edit multiple layers at in one case, and much more.

To create a group:

1. Locate and select the Group push at the lesser of the Layers panel.

   

2. A new empty group will appear. If you want, click and drag the group to reorder information technology within the Layers console.
3. Click and drag any layer to the group icon in the Layers panel, so release the mouse. Layers that are in a group volition be slightly indented from the other layers in the panel.

   

4. Click the arrow to collapse or aggrandize the layer.

   

5. You lot tin at present dispense all of the layers in the group at one time. In this instance, nosotros're clicking the heart icon to hide all layers within the group.

   

If you're using Photoshop Elements, you won't be able to create new groups. Nevertheless, you will be able to view existing groups when working with files created in the full version of Photoshop.

Try this!

Open the instance file and create a group. Click and drag all of the Text layers into this new group. Side by side, select Group one, and so reduce the opacity to seventy%. Observe how this changes the opacity for all layers within the group.

To larn more about layer groups, review this tutorial from Adobe.

Merging and flattening layers

If you no longer demand to edit certain layers, y'all might consider merging them. There are many reasons yous might want to combine certain layers. For example, if you lot have multiple adjustment layers yous might want to merge them into a unmarried layer before applying other changes, such every bit sharpening or noise reduction.

To merge layers, select the kickoff layer, press and concur the Shift key, and click the terminal layer y'all desire to merge (all of the layers between the first and last will be selected). Side by side, right-click the layers and select Merge Layers. You lot tin can also select the layers and and so printing Ctrl+East (or Command+E on a Mac).

Merging will remove the flexibility and control layers provide, so you should simply combine layers if you're sure you no longer need to edit them individually.

Annotation: Brand certain to correct-click the layer name, not the layer icon. Otherwise, the card will non appear.

You tin also combine all of the layers in your certificate into a unmarried Background layer. This is known equally flattening the image. To do this, correct-click any layer, and so select Flatten Paradigm.

Flattening an image is ane style to simplify a complex Photoshop project. Withal, it's important to note that you do not need to flatten images earlier exporting them. When saving a project as a JPEG or PNG file, all of the layers will exist flattened automatically because these file formats cannot accept multiple layers.

Try this!

Open the case file. Select the Gradient Map and Acorn layers, and then merge them.

To larn more than well-nigh merging layers, review this video tutorial from Adobe.

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How To Place An Object Behnd A Background In Ps Cs5,

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