How to Use Layers in Adobe Photoshop

Layers are independent parts of a Photoshop document that are used together to create the document as a whole. When using layers, it is a good idea to make a duplicate of the layers. This way a layer is kept untouched just in case you need it. Photoshop lets you control layer visibility so you can keep those extra layers without having them show up until you need them.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Adobe Photoshop

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

2. Select the current layer, "Background," in the Layers palette by clicking it with your mouse. When it is selected, it will become a dark gray shade in the palette.

3. Continue holding down your mouse button over the layer and drag it to the bottom of the Layers palette to the new layer button. The new layer button is the picture of a piece of paper with the corner folded up.

4. Release your mouse button.

5. Notice that in your Layers palette you now have a copy of your "Background" layer, called "Background copy."

6. Click on the eye in the box before your "Background" layer. This turns off the visibility of this layer. This layer is still safe but you can no longer see it.

7. Use your mouse to click in the empty box where the eye was in your "Background" layer. Now, your layer is visible again.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not see the Photoshop Layers palette, select "Layers" from the "Windows" menu or press the F7 key on your keyboard.