How to Use Adjustment Layers in Photoshop

An adjustment layer in Adobe Photoshop CS3 is a great way to add an adjustment to your image without actually changing the image from the adjustment. The layer remains separate from the original documents so you get all the advantages of an adjustment without the disadvantages. These steps will outline how you can create an adjustment layer in Photoshop.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop CS3

1. Open Adobe Photoshop CS3 and create a new document or open an existing document to which you would like to add a new adjustment layer.

2. Select the "Layer" menu, choose "New Adjustment Layer" and then click to choose the type of adjustment layer you would like to add to the Photoshop document. The layer you choose will be the adjustment that is applied to the new layer. Once you choose the adjustment, the "New Layer" dialog box will appear.

3. Key in a name for the adjustment layer in the "Name" text box. Choose a color for the layer name, if you would like. You can also choose a mode or opacity for the layer in this dialog box.

4. Click the "OK" button once you are finished creating the settings for the new adjustment layer. You will see the "New Layer" dialog box close and you will get a dialog box that will ask you to choose settings for the type of adjustment level you choose.

5. Choose the settings for the adjustment layer from the "New Layer" dialog box and then select the "OK" button in order to close the dialog box. The adjustment level will be added to your Layers palette.