Using Layers Chapter 5 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning
Chapter Objectives Learn to use the Layers panel and Layer menu for various commands. Create two permanent selections to duplicate graphics for replication with a variety of realistic colors. Move layers using the Move tool. Use the Hue/Saturation command to adjust color while retaining shadows and highlights within an image. Use Layer styles to create drop shadows and specialized effects. Record states of layers in various stages of development with Layer Comps. Advanced: Camera Raw files, the digital negative
Creating a Multi-Color Product Ad This complex assignment also provides a review of selection tools and techniques from Chapter 4. The goal is to create two detailed selections of the original gray kayak that can be saved permanently as channels. One selection will be used to recolor the kayak, without including hardware, straps, or seat. The other selection will be used to include the kayak with all hardware so you can duplicate it to create multiple images. These selections will be used to make layers that allow you to duplicate the kayak image, color it, and position it in the ad. You will then create text layers for each line of type in the ad. Drop shadow layer effects for the type and images will also be created.
Multiproduct Ad Before and After
Initial Selections Add and Subtract selections using the Quick Selection and Magic Wand tools.
Initial Selections Using the Lasso tool for freehand selections, and Select menu to enhance selection areas.
Creating Selection Channels Saving and replacing a selection channel.
Channels
Quick Mask for Delicate Selection Areas
Using Refine Edge to Soften Selection Edges
Using Layers Layers are like stacks of transparent sheets with parts of an image laid one on top of another. Layers are used to modify selected portions of an image and to combine different images (or selected areas). Special effects can also be added to each layer. You can move layers between one another for specific effects. The Type tool creates its own layer. Pasting a selection creates a new layer.
Hiding and Displaying Layers Only one layer can be edited at a time, which is the active layer highlighted and shaded in blue. The eye icon displayed indicates that the layer is visible. You can hide or show a layer by clicking the eye icon. The active layer displays a paintbrush icon to the left of the layer name, next to the eye icon.
Layers Panel with Options
Layers Panel and Layer Menu You can use either the Layers panel or the Layer menu to display, modify, edit, copy, group, or delete layers, along with other various commands and options for layers and layer effects. The Layer menu also contains additional commands or options for working with layers.
Layer Menu and Layers Panel Menu
Expanding Layers Panel Icon The Layers panel can also be docked as an icon alongside the desktop screen edge and expanded when selected.
Converting Background Layer to Normal Layer The first layer in any document is the Background layer. It always displays at the bottom of the Layers panel. As a Background layer, it cannot be moved among other layers. Additional layers, when they are first created, are placed above the selected layer in the Layers panel and can easily be moved around between any other layers for various effects. If a Background layer is converted to a normal layer, it can then be moved between other layers and can also be renamed.
Pasting a Selection Creates a New Layer Each layer is like a clear sheet with all or part of an image on it. When you copy and paste a selection, a new layer is created only with those areas that were selected on the image. This displays a new layer, showing all areas that were not selected as transparent. These transparent areas display as a checkerboard on the layer thumbnail.
Saving Images with Layers Files saved in TIFF or PSD formats maintain the original quality, no matter how many times you make changes. Images with a TIFF extension can be read universally by all graphic applications; however, depending on which non-adobe application is used, sometimes the final image needs to combine all layers into one layer. Photoshop and other applications in the Adobe suite can read images in TIFF format with multiple layers, but many graphic applications cannot read TIFF formats with multiple layers yet, only as one layer. If you save the file with a JPEG extension, all layers should be combined as one (layers flattened), and data will be discarded each time the file is edited and saved, which gradually deteriorates the quality of the image. JPEG files cannot be changed later either. Saving images with Photoshop s native extension (PSD) maintains the quality of its layers, but is used primarily between Adobe s suite of applications.
The Hue/Saturation Command (1 of 2) The Hue/Saturation command in the Image menu lets you adjust the hue, saturation, and lightness of an image or selected areas of an image. You can use the Hue slider to select new colors and the Saturation and Lightness sliders for color purity and intensity and to lighten or darken an image s color. The Colorize option is used to colorize a grayscale image, or to convert a selected color, other than black or white, to intensify the hue of the current foreground color. The Hue/Saturation command allows you to choose from preset settings or create your own settings for future projects.
The Hue/Saturation Command (2 of 2)
The Move Tool The Move tool is used to drag selection areas within the image to create additional layers. It is also used to drag selections created from other images onto the Layers panel of the image on which you are working. For accurate positioning of selections within an image, select the Move tool and use the arrow keys on the keyboard for precision.
Layer Styles Select the Layer Style icon ( fx ) at the bottom of the Layers panel to open the Layer Style dialog box. Layer styles allow you to create shadows, embossing and bevels, overlays, glow, and stroke effects on selected portions of an image and on text as well. The Layer Style dialog box provides plenty of options to create realistic effects. For a realistic shadow effect for instance, make sure the Use Global Light option is checked to cast all the shadows at the same angle so that all shadows in future layers will look like they have the same light source for visual accuracy.
Layer Style Effect: Drop Shadows You can create a realistic drop shadow effect by adjusting the distance, size, and angle settings to match the original shadow.
Working With Type The Type tool creates its own text layer. Formatting commands can be found in the Tool Options bar. To start another new text layer, select another tool in the Tools panel, such as the Move tool, and then click on the Type tool again. Photoshop s Character panel contains many formatting commands for setting text options, as in the Tool Options bar. Any changes made in the Character panel are reflected in the Tool Options bar and vice versa.
Type Tools and the Character Panel
Linking layers allows you to move several layers together for accurate positioning. Layers that are linked can be moved and transformed simultaneously, keeping the alignment and composite layering intact. Linking Layers
Editing Type You can use the Tool Options bar to make changes to type. Simply highlight the text, click on the color box, which will bring up the Color Picker display, and make the changes. You can also click on the color boxes at the bottom of the Tools panel to bring up the Color Picker display to select colors. With the display window open, you can either select colors in the Picker itself, type in the values if you know them, or simply use the cursor and click on any part of the color box to select a color from an image.
Editing Type Using the Character Panel
Sampling Colors From the Color Picker
Layer Comps Panel In Photoshop, the Layer Comps panel allows the designer to capture various stages or states of development by using the New Layer Comp button. Special combinations for effects can also be recorded by hiding and displaying various layers, which can be used to show before and after views when applying effects or making changes. Recorded states are permanent until deleted. This provides the ability to experiment, and you can show variations of the project to your client, and then cycle back through previously recorded stages.
Creating a Layer Comp
Layer Groups and Merging Layers A layer group is a special folder you create over the active layer that allows you to group layers into that one folder. To display or hide the set layers, click the triangle which flips down or up. Merging layers still maintains the image quality and allows you to group any combination of layers together. Merging all the layers in a document into a single layer is called flattening the image.
Creating a Text Layer Group
Merging Layers
Creating PDF Files (1 of 2) PDF files retain all formatting used in the document. You can also edit them in Photoshop. In Photoshop, you can save layered files in the Photoshop PDF format, and anyone can view the image with Adobe Acrobat Reader. PDF files can have various settings. They can be flattened for electronic distribution and can be created as a high-resolution CMYK file that can be used for commercial printing. You can save a PDF file as a CMYK copy without going through the Image menu to convert it.
Creating PDF Files (2 of 2)
Advanced: Camera Raw Camera Raw is the digital equivalent of the film negative or slide. No processing (conversion to JPEGs or color adjustment) has taken place, and all digital information is recorded to be adjusted manually by the user. Raw files can then be saved in universal formats like JPEG or TIFF, after adjustments have been made manually. Digital Raw files themselves are never adjusted; just as in original film negatives or slides, a copy is always made for editing and the copy is always saved. To create raw files, you need to set your camera to save files in its own raw file format, if your camera has this capability. When you download the files from the camera, they may have file extensions such as.nef (Nikon), or.crw (Canon). Each camera manufacturer uses its own extension for the Raw format.
Camera Raw When you open a Raw file, it will open in the Camera Raw application within Photoshop. Even though it may look flat or off color, it contains all unprocessed information, just like a digital negative. Use this application as your new digital darkroom with no chemicals. You will find in the Camera Raw dialog box, in addition to other controls, White Balance, which sets the color balance for various lighting conditions; the Temperature control, which controls the color temperature; and Tint to compensate for green or magenta tints in photos. Moving the Temperature slider to the left, for instance, makes the color a cooler, bluer tone; moving the slider to the right warms the image. You also notice plenty of additional tools and controls you can play with to achieve the best image
Camera Raw (Before and After Adjustments)
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