Using Layers

Understanding how to use layers is critical in developing skill using photoshop, and layers form the cornerstone of the design process.

Perhaps the best way to think about layers is by imagining them to be a stack of sheets of transparent paper with a different design element on each sheet of paper. These elements could be a logo, picture or a bit of text, but what's important is that generally every new element in our overall picture should go on a new layer.

We can see the layer palette below with 4 different elements: Background, Text, Logo and Image.

To do anything with a layer, for instance if we want to move it, then it must first be selected by clicking on it in the layers palette. This will highlight the layer in dark blue.

In this case the "image" layer is highlighted. We could now move this particular element on the page, independently of all of the other elements, using the arrow icon .

If we want to move the Text for example we would have to first select the text layer then use the arrow to move it around the screen.

It is this ability to move and control all of the elements of a page, independently of one another, that make layers so useful, especially if you have a very complicated image with lots of things in it.

The ordering of the layers is also very important. Using the paper stack anology again, layer are ordered one on top of another, with the one at the top the layers palette closest to the foreground of the image while the layer on the bottom is nearest the background. In the example above, the "image" layer is at the top and so will be in the forground of the overall picture. The "logo" and "text" layers are beneath that and so will be further into the background.

If we want to change the depth of the layer we simply select the layer and drag it up and down the layers palette moving it up or down the layer stack. For instance, if we wantd to put the "text" in front of the "image" we could select the "text" layer and drag it above the "image" layer.

Text layer in front of Shape layer	Text layer behind Shape layer