Chapter 3: Working with Layers

Overview

So you’ve just created a simple 150x50 logo. And to think it only took a whole chapter to get there. But wait. You’re on the verge of learning the real power of Photoshop. By the end of this chapter, you’ll amaze your friends by producing work that rivals professional designers. How can this be? The answer’s simple. In this chapter, you’ll learn more about the power of Photoshop’s layers.

Unless you’ve worked extensively with graphic or drafting programs, most individuals aren’t used to layers. Layers have a couple of advantages. For one, they help keep your images organized, putting each area of an image into its own separate labeled layer. You did some of this in the last chapter. Your logo contained a layer for different text pieces, the pen graphic, and lines.

But the greatest advantage of layers is they allow you to isolate your edits. You’ll learn how to do that in this chapter.