Get to know layers

Layers are the building blocks of any Photoshop design. Start building this layered design by creating a new layer for original artwork and by adding one image to another. Along the way, you'll become familiar with the Layers panel, and you'll learn the essentials of working with layers.

Introduction

This video series is a first look at creating a design in Photoshop using layers, combining images, and adding text and graphics.

By the end of this series you'll know how to basic composite for use in your own print and online projects.

In this video we'll focus on working with layers.

Opening an image and understanding layers

When Photoshop first launches you'll see the start screen. This is where you can open existing images or create a new document. We'll start this design with an existing image. Click the open button on the start screen, or you can choose file, open. Then navigate to an image on your computer. I'll choose landscape.jpg and click to open it. I'd like to add another element to my design, a sun, so that we can create a composition.

Creating and naming a new layer

We'll put the sun artwork on its own layer so we can move and edit it separately from the photo. The layers panel in Photoshop will be an integral part of your workflow. It's the place we go to manage the layers in a composition. In the layers panel there's now just one layer called background. To make a new layer for the sun, click the create a new layer button at the bottom of the panel.

A new layer is added above the background layer. It's best practice to name your layers so you can keep track of them. Double click the new layer name and name it sun. Press enter or return to accept it. Now that we have a new layer and it's selected—you can tell because it's highlighted—

Drawing and coloring shapes on a separate layer

we'll create a sun in this layer by filling a selected area with color. Come over to the tools panel on the left, click and hold down on the rectangular marquee tool. To make a circular selection for the sun, select the elliptical marquee tool. Out in the design, press the shift key and click and drag to create a circle. Once you get the circle to be roughly about this big, release the mouse button and then the shift key. The shift key constrains the proportions so the selection stays a circle. Now we'll fill this area of the sun layer. Choose edit, fill. Choose color from the contents menu, and we'll pick a color using the color picker that opens. Drag this slider up a bit so we get into the orangish area. That looks pretty good. Come right about here and click to sample a color. Click OK and then click OK again. You're done using the selection, so choose select, deselect. Select the move tool in the tools panel, and drag the image to reposition the sun.

Using layer blend modes and opacity

Because it's on a separate layer, you can move and edit it separately from the rest of the image content, and you can apply special layer properties. For example, with the sun layer selected in the layers panel, choose multiply from the blend mode menu to blend the color of the sun into the colors on the layer beneath it. Change the opacity to 80% so that the sun layer is more transparent.

Adding and arranging multiple images with layers

Let's add another image to our design. Choose file, open, and navigate to a photo that has an interesting sky. Click open. So we can see both images next to each other, choose window, arrange, tile all vertically. We're going to drag the sky image into the other image. With the move tool still selected, press and hold down the shift key as you drag the sky image onto the landscape image. Release your mouse button and then the shift key, which aligns the images together. You no longer need the sky photograph open, so close it by clicking the X on the tab. Look in the layers panel, and you can see that the sky layer named layer 1 is on a new layer above the last layer selected, the sun layer. Double click the new layer name and name it sky, then press enter or return. Right now the sky is hiding the sun and the background image. In the layers panel drag the selected sky layer below the sun layer. When you see a line appear, release the mouse button. The sun now appears above the sky image. I also want the sky image to be behind the background image. The background layer is a special lock layer that we need to first unlock. To do this, double click the layer named background and rename it landscape. Click OK. Drag the sky layer under the landscape layer, and when you see a line appear release the mouse button. The landscape image is now on top of the sky image in our design following the layer stacking order.

Combine images using layer masks

Layer masks are the most flexible way to combine images. A layer mask hides part of a layer to display what's on the layers below. Use layer masks in this design to replace a dull sky in one image with dramatic clouds from another and to gradually blend artwork into the rest of the design.

Adding text and effects

Add text to your design. Then embellish the text with creative layer effects for a unique look. Learn how to work with Type layers, and use Typekit to access a treasure trove of exciting fonts.

Include vector graphics

Photoshop isn't just for photographs. Take your design further by making custom shapes in Photoshop and placing a logo made in Adobe Illustrator. Vector graphics like these can be scaled and edited as much as you like.

Export and save the design

Save your design in PSD format to retain its layers and effects for future editing. Then save or export copies for different uses. Save a copy as a PDF for sharing, and use Photoshop's Export features to export all or part of the design in web-friendly formats.

Saving a master PSD for future editing

When creating a layered composition like you did, it's really important to preserve the master, full size version of the design so that you can always access and re-edit any of the layers, adjustments, and effects you added in Photoshop.

Sharing designs as PDF files

If you want to hand your file off for review or printing by someone who doesn't have Photoshop, you can save a copy in PDF format. To do that, choose File, Save As. Leave Layers checked, choose Photoshop PDF, and click Save. Click OK at the warning.

Exporting designs for online use

to output an entire or individual layers in formats that are best for online use. To save the entire design, you can choose File, Export, Export As.