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Master Layers - Photoshop for Beginners | Lesson 2

PiXimperfect・52 minutes read

Creating freedom of movement in Photoshop is crucial for manipulating graphics like birds by using layers for flexibility, adjustment layers for image alterations, and smart objects with limitations. Techniques like converting layers, masking, adding textures, and grouping elements aid in efficient editing and management within Photoshop.

Insights

Layers in Photoshop act like transparent sheets, allowing for easy manipulation of graphics and adjustments, fostering flexibility in changing backgrounds, text, and graphics.
Converting a subject layer into a background layer in Photoshop restricts editing options like movement, erasure, and opacity changes, emphasizing the need to unlock background layers for full editing control.

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Summary

00:00

"Photoshop Layers: Flexibility and Control"

Using a transparent sheet of paper, draw birds to demonstrate freedom of movement and manipulation digitally.
In Photoshop, creating a new layer allows for rotating, resizing, and moving graphics like birds freely.
Directly painting on the background layer restricts movement, rotation, and resizing options in Photoshop.
Layers in Photoshop function like transparent sheets, allowing for graphics and adjustments.
Adjustment layers in Photoshop can alter the entire image, like adding a photo filter.
Layers in Photoshop enable flexibility in changing backgrounds, text, and graphics.
Photoshop's history panel allows for reverting to previous document states.
Merging layers in Photoshop combines them, losing the ability to edit individual elements.
Visibility in Photoshop allows for toggling layers on and off for better editing control.
Background layers in Photoshop are locked and prevent transparency, needing conversion to regular layers for editing.

13:01

Mastering Photoshop: Tips for Layers and Transparency

To convert a subject layer into a background layer, go to Layer > New > Background from Layer.
A background layer cannot be moved, erased, or have its opacity or blend mode changed.
Ideally, open the subject image first before adding overlays like light leaks.
Smart objects have limitations like being unable to paint on them or change pixels directly.
To work on a smart object, rasterize it by right-clicking and choosing Rasterize Layer.
Adjust blend mode and opacity of a rasterized layer, and use tools like Spot Healing Brush.
Envato Elements offers a variety of assets like light leaks, Photoshop brushes, and plugins.
Use shortcuts to quickly adjust opacity in Photoshop, with Shift for rapid changes and Alt for slow adjustments.
Transparency in Photoshop is indicated by checker boxes; use the Magic Wand tool to remove backgrounds.
Save images with transparency as PNG files, not JPEG, to retain the transparent background.

26:37

Creating and Editing Text Masks in Photoshop

To create a mask, click on the button with a circle icon, which will cut out areas in white and hide them in black.
To view the mask properly, hold the ALT or Option key and click on the eye icon to isolate the mask layer.
The subject appears in white on the mask, while the background is black, making it invisible.
To adjust the text visibility against a bright background, add an exposure adjustment layer and decrease the exposure to -0.5.
Ensure the text stays centered by selecting the move tool, pressing Ctrl or Command D, and aligning it to the canvas.
To add more text, select the layer beneath, use the text tool, type in the text, adjust the size, and position it accordingly.
To separate a selected area onto a new layer, press Ctrl or Command J, allowing for independent editing.
To add more text in the same size, hold the ALT or Option key, click, and drag to duplicate the layer.
Create a new layer for adding grain, change the blend mode to Overlay, apply noise and blur, and adjust the opacity for a textured background.
Group layers for easier management, such as grouping text layers collectively and background elements separately.

39:50

Layer Management and Editing Tips for Photoshop

To create a new layer with a different color, hold the ALT key and click on the line between the two layers.
The action performed will only affect the subject within the clipping mask.
By repeating the ALT key and clicking on the line, an icon with a cut will appear, allowing actions outside the clipping mask.
This method allows separate color lookups for the background and subject, offering individual control.
To enlarge layer thumbnails, right-click on empty space and select thumbnail size from options like no thumbnails, small, medium, or large.
If the list is too long, access panel options through the hamburger icon in the layers panel to adjust thumbnail size.
Different types of layers include raster layers made of pixels, smart objects for non-destructive editing, adjustment layers to modify layers beneath, and vector-based text and shape layers.

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