| Anyone who plans on spending any length of time | | | | Once you have a few layers inside your Layers |
| wandering the halls of Photoshop should consider | | | | dialog box, try clicking the eyeballs next to each |
| learning how Photoshop layer sets work. | | | | one. |
| Layers are crucial to the entire mechanism of | | | | You'll see that in this way you can visually isolate |
| Photoshop design and enhancement. | | | | layers so you can tell exactly what it is you're |
| The Photoshop "Layers" palette maintains a | | | | working on. |
| precise history of all your keystrokes... so you | | | | At times, you will find yourself creating many, |
| don't have to remember anything. | | | | many layers for a single image. When that |
| Layers can be likened to your command post, so | | | | happens, it gets difficult to find the layer you |
| it behooves you to spend some time in there. | | | | want to affect. |
| Let's take a brief look around right now. | | | | The solution to this problem lies in creating groups, |
| Hmm, looks complicated, doesn't it? Well, unlike a | | | | or "layer sets." Grouping layers allows you to |
| lot of other functions inside Photoshop, Layers | | | | place them into a folder. (In Photoshop CS, first |
| really is pretty simple. | | | | link the layers, then choose "New Set from |
| Basically, it isolates different sections or | | | | Linked" on the side menu of the Layers box.) |
| transformations so you can work on them | | | | In Photoshop 7, you create a group by choosing |
| without affecting the rest of the image. | | | | each one, then clicking "Group with Previous" inside |
| Which really comes in handy when you find | | | | your Layer option in the top menu. Or you can |
| yourself up against the wall and need to start that | | | | click the tiny folder icon at the bottom of the |
| particular enhancement over: just throw that layer | | | | Layers palette and drag the layers into that layer |
| away. | | | | when it appears, then click the collapse arrow to |
| Your Photoshop Layers box will automatically | | | | the left of the set folder to hide the layers inside |
| create a new layer for you for some changes, | | | | the folder. |
| but you can also create a new yourself. | | | | If you want to get rid of the set folder later, |
| On your top menu bar, click "Layer," then "New." | | | | highlight it, then click Layer, Delete, Set, then |
| You'll see a brand new, empty layer appear inside | | | | choose either "Set and Contents" or "Set Only." |
| your Layers box. Notice that it has been highlited | | | | Some versions of Photoshop require you to |
| and the "background," or original, layer is not. | | | | choose your layers and then "Shift-Click" on the |
| The highlighted layer is the active layer, meaning | | | | bottom folder icon to create a set folder. In |
| that's the one you're presently working on. To | | | | Photoshop CS2, you can align layers by choosing |
| activate a different layer, simply click on it, and | | | | View > Show > Smart Guides. |
| Photoshop highlights (activates) it for you. | | | | Like all the other fabulous Photoshop functions, |
| Becoming aware of this one function is essential | | | | Layers offers almost limitless ways to affect |
| for successfully working in layers. | | | | your photos and the way you maneuver around |
| (Note: Photoshop CS2 lets you activate multiple | | | | inside Photoshop itself. |
| layers.) | | | | |