Chapter 12. Using Multiple Layers to Edit ImagesIN THIS CHAPTER: 91 About Layers and the Layers Palette 92 Create a New Image Layer 93 Create a Layer Filled with a Color, Gradient, or Pattern 94 Create an Adjustment Layer 95 Convert a Background Layer to a Regular Layer and Vice Versa 96 Simplify a Layer 97 Erase Part of a Layer 98 Apply a Layer Style 99 Move, Resize, Skew, or Distort a Layer 100 Mask an Adjustment or Fill Layer 101 Group and Organize Layers 102 Merge or Flatten Layers into One The use of layers to edit an image is the most powerful feature in Photoshop Elements. Using multiple layers, you can isolate each element of the image, in the same way a cartoonist isolates each element of a scene by placing them on sheets of clear acetate. You could put the sky and a roadway on the bottom layer, a race car on the next layer, and your son on the top layer. Separating your image into layers gives you the ability to make adjustments to any one of the objects within the imagesuch as the location, size, color and tone of the race carwithout affecting the background or the other objects. When elements in an image are separated, you can apply effects, filters, and layer styles to specific objects without applying them to the entire image. In this chapter, you learn about the different layer types available in Photoshop Elements and how to create them. You look at ways to work with the different layer types to produce the desired effects within your image. You learn how to work with layers in the Layers palette and how the order of the layers in the layer stack affects the look of your photo. Finally, you learn how to merge all layers of the image back into one layer so that the image can be saved in a file format that's compatible with many applications and the Internet. |