The difference between Opacity (Coverage) and Fill (Fill)

First, I tell you that the blending mode determines how the pixels of a layer blend with underlying layers of pixels in the image. In other words, there is no blending mode for a Background layer.

At the top of the “layers” palette, we find three boxes to adjust the blending modes in Photoshop.

Clicking on the arrow of box one gives us the different modes.
In section two, we have the “Opacity” (coverage).
And in section three, we have the “Fill” (fill).
Let me first explain the difference between “Opacity” and “Fill”.

It seems that both do the same, but it is not so.
As an example, I have a photograph with two layers, a background layer and a layer with Michelangelo.
On the layer with Michelangelo, the “Outer Glow” effect is added.
Both boxes, “Opacity” and “Fill”, have a value of 100%

“Opacity” applies to everything in the layer, therefore, also applies to, for example, the different effects on this layer.
If we change this value, it effects the transparency of everything in this layer.

The “Fill” relates only to the pixels in the layer.
Change this value, then only the transparency applied to the pixels of the picture changes and not the effects.

The different modes

Clicking on the downward pointing arrow next to a box, gives us a dropdown menu with 25 different preset modes.
These are divided into six groups.
Each mode in a group is related to the other.
For example, in the second group, we have the Darken, Multiply,

Color Burn, Linear Burn and Darker Color modes.
Each of these modes will make the layer to darken.
The third group will lighten the layer.
The fourth group refers to the contrast of the colors.

The fifth group, the colors of the layer are used to reverse the colors of the underlying layer.
And finally, the sixth group are actually the composed modes, composed by performing calculations based on the Color, Hue, Saturation and Luminosity, to arrive at the final color.

We can perform the different modes on a layer or an effect.
If you have applied an effect, you can still change the values ??of the “Opacity” and “Fill” to change the result.
Tip: To quickly view the modes, click on Shift and + on your keyboard. To return, click Shift and – on your keyboard
All these different modes are discussed in the next lesson.

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