How to Add Layers to an Image in Adobe Photoshop

In Adobe Photoshop there is a feature named layers. Think of a layer as just one part of your document. You may have one layer for your background, a layer for your image and another layer for your background. Each layer is independent of each other, but they fit together to form your document. Before you can work with a layer, you need to add a layer to Photoshop.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop

1. Start Adobe Photoshop. Open an existing image from your files.

2. Look at your Layers palette and notice that you have one current layer named "Background." This is the default first layer in Photoshop. At this point, your image is set as your background.

3. Go to the "Layer" menu and choose "New" and then "Layer…" When you choose this option, the "New Layer" dialog box will appear on your screen.

4. Type a name for your new layer, if you wish to name the layer.

5. Check the "Use Previous Layer to Create Clipping Mask" checkbox to create a clipping mask to use over your background layer. A clipping mask is an independent layer, but it is transparent in certain areas to show the layer below it.

6. Set the color, mode and opacity of the layer, if you wish.

7. Click "OK" on the "New Layer" dialog box to create your new layer. Notice in your Layers palette you have a new layer that will appear above your background layer.

Tips & Warnings

• If your Layers palette is not displayed in your Photoshop workspace, select the "Windows" menu and then the "Layers" option to bring up the Layers palette, or press the F7 key on your keyboard.
• You can bring up the "New Layer" dialog box by using the keyboard shortcut of SHIFT+CTRL+N.