Layers+Explained

=Photoshop Layers Explained=

Layer Explained
The transparent parts of any layer, shown by the checkered grid, allow the layers beneath that layer to show through. You can show and hide each layer in an image by clicking on its corresponding eye icon in the Layers palette, as shown at the bottom of the following page. ===Generally the first point in your Photoshop workflow is to make a copy of your background layer or image. This way you will not damage the original image. This is an important point as it will allow you to restore your original image even if you have saved over the original file or destructively edited your images. You have several options to make a copy.===
 * Layers** are a powerful feature of Photoshop that allow you to work on one part of an image without disturbing the rest of it.

//**Layer Shortcuts and Tasks**//
If the layers palette is not visible on the floating palette menu then you can select it from the **Window > Layers.** New duplicate layer Once this layer has been duplicated the name of the image will change from ‘background‘ to ‘background copy‘.
 * Rename layers by double-clicking on the layer name.
 * Change the transparency of a layer by changing its opacity with the Opacity slider, or typing a value into the Opacity box (which is visible when you have the Selection, Move, or Crop tools selected).
 * Duplicate you can Right click and Duplicate.
 * Select multiple layers by holding down Ctrl and clicking the layer names. This forms a temporary link between the selected layers that allows you to move them as one unit, delete them all, and so on.
 * Option 1:** Drag background image to new layer icon to create a duplicate layer
 * Option 2**: Click on the layer in the layers palette and drag it to the new layer icon at the bottom of the layers palette window, this should duplicate the layer placing the new layer on top of the other layer.
 * Option 3:** Right Click and Duplicate Layer
 * Option 4:** The other way to do this is to click **LAYER > DUPLICATE LAYER…**

Deleting a layer
To delete an layer simply click on it and drag it to the **TRASH CAN** icon found at the bottom of the layers palette. Drag layer to trash can icon to delete it

Hiding layers
To hide a layer simply click on the eye icon to switch the layer ON or OFF. Click the eye icon to switch layer icon ON and OFF

Create a new document in Photoshop (File>New):
Do the Default Photoshop size. In the bottom right you should have the layers window. In case you don’t see it, go to Window>Layers:

To organize your layers, you can arrange them into layer groups by going to Layer > New > Group…. Each layer group displays in the same way as any ungrouped layers on the Layers palette. A layer group is signified by a folder icon. You can collapse or expand layer groups by clicking on the triangle to the left of the folder icon, and nest layer groups within each other by dragging one folder icon into another.

**Moving Linked Layers in an Image**
 * 1) From the //Layers// palette, select the linked layer you want to move
 * 2) From the //Toolbox//, select the **//Move Tool//**[[image:http://www.uwec.edu/help/PhotoshopCS3/Images/buttons/move.gif width="28" height="23"]]
 * 3) Within the image window, click and drag to the new location