How to Work With Layers in PhotoDeluxe

In Adobe PhotoDeluxe 2.0, you can create transparent "layers" that you can edit, move or delete without affecting the rest of the image. For example, if you have a picture of a birthday cake on one layer, you could have text on the second layer and a picture of the birthday girl or boy on the third layer. When you look at the image, all layers are visible, but you can edit each layer independently of the others.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe PhotoDeluxe Home Edition

Create a New Layer

1. Open a photograph in PhotoDeluxe. This is the bottom layer.

2. Create a new layer with any of the following methods: drag a photo from the Hold photo selection, paste an image from the Clipboard, drag a layer from another photograph, or create a new blank layer from the Layers palette. (You can use a blank layer to add text on a layer by itself.)

Edit a Layer

3. With Long Menus active, open the Layers palette as above.

4. Using the Layers palette, click on the layer that you want to activate. An active layer appears white in the Layers palette.

5. Edit the image using the painting or editing tools, or apply special effects.

Tips & Warnings

• To make a layer visible or invisible, click on the eye icon in the Layers palette. If the eye is showing, the layer can be seen. When the eye cannot be seen, the layer is invisible.
• To delete or merge layers, click on the tiny arrow in the right-hand corner of the Palette menu. Select your option.
• To rearrange the order of layers, activate the Layers palette. Drag a layer to the position you want it.
• Once you merge two or more layers, you cannot reverse the operation.