Layers - Photoshop Lesson 5

Layers
Layers are imaginary transparent sheets placed over one another.We can see through layers. Layers prevent contents of a drawing to mix with each other. Contents of a layer do not disturb the contents of other layers. Each layer may have different objects.We can add layers to the image to organize our work.We can draw, edit, paste, and reposition elements on one layer without disturbing the others.
SHOW AND HIDE LAYERS PALETTE
From "Window menu" click "Show Layers" to open layers palette.
When we start a new project, by default we have one layer known as "background". However we can add a number of layers in our project .
ADD NEW LAYER
Click "add layer button" as shown to add a new layer.
DELETE A LAYER
Click a layer and drag it to "Trash Bin" as shown to delete a layer.
...............................................OR
Click a layer and click "Trash Button" and click "YES".
CURRENT LAYER
Current layer means the layer in which we are working. Current layer is always highlighted in blue color.In the above diagram current layer is that which is labeled "City Collegiate T ".We can not work in a layer which is not highlighted.To make a layer "current layer" just click that layer.When it is highlighted you can make any change in it.
HIDDEN LAYER
When working on a number of layers, sometimes it becomes difficult to identify objects in different layers. To avoid this situation we can hide contents of layers. Click"Eye" to hide a layer or multiple layers. Contents of hidden layer becomes invisible
contents of layer are visible because eye is visible	Contents of layer are hidden
EDITABLE LAYER
A layer indicating "Paint Brush icon" is an editable layer. You can work on only one layer at a time.
DUPLICATE LAYER
Sometimes we need a copy of a particular layer.To duplicate a layer, right click the layer whose duplicate is required and choose " Duplicate Layer ".
As: Type a name for duplicate layer and click "OK". RE-ORDERING LAYERS We can change the position or order of layers.For example in the figure below,layer "BULL" is at the top.Drag it down to layer "GRASS" and release mouse to change its order. MERGE LAYERS INTO ONE LAYER Click small triangle at the top right of layers palette as shown above and choose "MERGE DOWN" to merge a layer below the selected layer. RENAME A LAYER Double click a layer and type a name in the dialogue box. TO MERGE ALL THE VISIBLE LAYERS INTO ONE LAYER Choose Layer > Merge Visible. NOTE : Hide any layers that you do not want to merge.