Using Layers and Layer Groups

In Photoshop, all the elements we edit are stored in “Layers”.
A Layer is a transparent sheet of paper on which our image is placed and processed.
If there nothing (no images, no text, etc.)present in a “layer”, then it is completely transparent.
We may have different layers one above the other for stacking the various elements separately from a large image.
That way we can share our image manipulation, without changing the other elements on other layers.
Understanding and using layers is one of the most important aspects in Photoshop.
In this part of the lesson I’m going to try this, with the emphasis on trying to explain.

Each time we make a new image with a colored background, not transparent, a layer is created automatically and that is called the “Background Layer”.
Also at the opening of a picture, it will be called the Background Layer.
A Background Layer can not be moved or removed and has no transparency.
If you still wish to move or delelte a Background layer, we must first change the name of the layer.
Double-click the “Layer name” and give an appropriate name in the dialog.
You may also change a normal Layer to a Background Layer.
This is obviously possible only if you do not have a Background Layer.
First select the layer and click “Layer” – “New” – “Background Layer” from the menu bar.

If you do not see the “Layers” palette, you can open it by clicking on “Windows” – “Layers” in the menu bar:

If this is all new to you, you better take a closer look at the above.

Creating Layers and Layer Groups

We can make a new layer in different ways.
Just click the button “New Layer” at the bottom of the “Layer palette”.
Or just click the “Options” button at the top right of the “Layer palette” and choose “New Layer” …
Or you choose “Layer” – “New” – “Layer” …in the menu bar.
In the last two ways, it opens a dialog where we can immediately enter a name for our Layer.

This is not the case when we choose the first option.
When we choose to do so, we must double-click the layer name to change it.
The stacking order of the layers can be changed by dragging the layer to a higher or lower position in the “layer palette”.

To create a new Layer Group, click the button “New Group” at the bottom of the Layer palette.
Or you choose “Layer” – “New” – “Layer Group” in the menu bar.

Give the group a name, possibly a color and opacity.

In the coverage modes, we have different options that we can set the for tone, color and structure of the layers to be customized.

An example:

Open a photo, copy the layer by right-clicking and select Duplicate Layer.
Click the different coverage modes. The image will change.

Now, back to our Layer Group.

When we are satisfied with our options in the “New Group” dialog, we click the OK button.
To place a layer in our group, we click and drag it to the group.

To open or close the group, we click the arrow next to the folder.

To remove layers from the group, we click and drag the layer above or below the folder.

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