In Photoshop the images are made of different layers and the appearance of those images mostly depend on how the layers are designed as well as stacked together. The following step by step tutorial can make it clear to all photo professionals.

1. Using Layers in Photoshop – a Comprehensive Beginners’ Tutorial
Every image in Photoshop is made of layers, and the manner in which these layers are
designed and then stacked together is what gives the image its appearance and
appeal. As such, using layers in Photoshop should be common knowledge for every
Photoshop users.
Here is a brief but comprehensive Photoshop beginner tutorial on how to use layer in
Photoshop.
The layer panel
The layers panel in Photoshop not only gives you access to the layers, but it also comes with
a wide range of features that make manipulating and designing these layers simple. It allows
you to create, design, and re-design layers in addition to other things such as:
• Creating a new layer
You may find it necessary to add a new layer to an image in order to achieve certain effects
and appearances. This will require you to create a new layer.
There are two ways to do this –click on the upper right corner of the layer panel and
from the resulting menu select “new layer”.

2. Or simply click on the “new layer” icon located at the bottom of the layers panel.
• Duplicating a layer
You can also duplicate an existing layer to have two similar ones quickly and easily. Just
right-click on the layer you wish to duplicate and then select “duplicate layer” from the
resulting menu. Here, you have an option of adding the layer to the same image or another
image – to add to the same image simply give it a name and select “okay.”

3. If, however, you wish to add the layer to a different image, type the title of that document in
the box titled “destination” and give it a name before clicking “okay.”
• Alternating the layers’ positions on the image
When working on an image, the different layers in Photoshop making up that image are
arranged in order of their position – from the one at the top to the background layer. You can
alternate the positioning of these layers by simply clicking on one layer and dragging it either
on top or below of the other layers, depending on your intended outcome.
• Hiding or deleting a layer
It may become necessary to hide a layer and observe the image without it or delete the layer
altogether if it is undesirable.
To hide a layer, locate it on the layer panel and click on the eye icon beside it – click on the
same icon to make it visible again.

4. To delete a layer, simply click on that layer and drag it to the trash icon located at the bottom
of the layers panel or right-click that layer and select delete.
• Changing a layer’s mode
You can also change a layer’s mode to manipulate its appearance and feel/texture. To
change the mode, locate the tab labeled opacity on the layers menu – click on the other tab
labeled “normal” on the left side of the opacity tab. This will open a drop-down menu with
numerous modes to choose from – just click on the desired mode to apply it.

5. • Changing a layer’s color
When you right-click on a layer, the resulting menu offer several options, among them the
ability to change the layer’s color to several other colors highlighted by name and by the
color – simply click on your preferred color to change that particular layer’s color.

6. • Adjusting a layer’s transparency
A layer on an image does not have to be opaque – it can be partially transparent to make the
layer beneath it visible, even if only partially. To increase a layer’s transparency or opacity,
simply adjust the opacity percentage from the layer’s panel – it is located just above the
layers.
• Adding styles to a layer
Finally, you can add a host of effects to a layer to enhance its appearance and shape. Simply
click on the layer you wish to add effects to and then click on the icon labeled “fx” at the
bottom of the layers panel. This will open a menu with a wide range of effects to apply – just
click on the desired effect.

7. Tip: If you do not wish to change a certain layer’s aspects, click on it to select it and then
click on the lock icon at the top of the layers menu – this will help prevent mistakes that can
compromise the image’s appearance.
Tip: If you wish to decongest or categorize the layers in the layers panel, click on the folder
icon at the bottom of the page and drag the layers into the new folder to make a group.
Remember, layers are essentially the image and how you design them determines the
appeal of the resulting image. As such, hone your skills in using layers in Photoshop by
practicing and experimenting with different images to learn new things or you can apply this
technique to create a realistic drop shadow using Photoshop so that you can add a layer style to
create the shadow.
Tutorial Published on http://www.clippingpathindia.com/blog/2015/06/08/using-layers-in-
photoshop-a-comprehensive-beginners-tutorial/
About the author:
Rokaiya Yeasmin Munni
Graphic Designer, SEO Specialist and Deputy Manager (Marketing Division)
At Outsource Experts Ltd, which is the mother company of
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