© 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning Chapter 8 Working with Special Layer Functions

Chapter Lessons Use a layer mask with a selection Work with multiple masked layers Control pixels to blend colors Eliminate a layer mask Use an adjustment layer Create a clipping mask © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning

Use special layer features to modify an entire image or an entire layer Define the precise area to manipulate in each layer Adjust the appearance of each layer without altering the original image (non-destructive changes) © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Using Special Layer Features

Turn changes on or off Align images Blend and adjust color Combine elements to enhance an image © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Layer Functions

Layer masks can cover an entire layer or specific areas within a layer Masks are flexible: –Hide their effect when viewing the image or change the masks Add an unlimited number of masks to an image: –One mask per layer © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Understanding Layer Masks

© 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Use tools on the Tools panel to create the area to mask Apply the mask to the selection or to everything except the selection Feather the edges of the selection, if required Creating a Layer Mask

The term Mask comes from printing: –A mask was opaque material or tape used to block off an area of the artwork that would not be printed © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning MASK Definition of Mask

Add a layer mask to a layer Reshape the layer mask with the Brush tool and a specific brush size or tip © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Painting a Layer Mask

If the image is painted with a black foreground, the size of the mask increases: –Each brush stroke hides pixels on the image layer –Paint with black to hide pixels © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Painting with Black Foreground

© 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Layer mask thumbnail Layer mask is black to hide pixels School Bus layer Layer Mask Examples

If the image is painted with white as the foreground, the size of the mask decreases: –Each brush stroke restores pixels of the layer object –Paint with white to reveal pixels © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Painting with White Foreground

Create and control a mask nondestructively Found in the Essentials and Color and Tone workspaces Grouped with the Adjustments panel © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Using the Masks Panel

Switch the foreground and background colors and paint over the mistake The Layer mask thumbnail on the Layers panel updates itself to reflect changes made to the mask © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Correcting a Mask

The layer mask is a powerful editing tool: –Allows repeated editing of an image without ever disturbing the original pixels that make up the image By default, the mask is linked to the layer: –When the layer is moved, the mask moves as well © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Work with Multiple Masked Layers

The Link icon appears when a layer mask is created When creating a layer mask, the link icon appears between the layer thumbnail and the layer mask thumbnail © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Understanding the Link Icon

Group or link layers to make multiple layers into one layer To link layers, the layer (not the layer mask) must be active –Link the active layer to other layers, even those in different layer groups –Link entire layer groups to a single layer or to other layer groups © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Selecting Multiple Layers

Select multiple layers –Note that Link layers button is not dimmed © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Link layers button Selecting Multiple Layers

After selecting multiple layers, perform actions that affect the group; for example: –Moving the content of selected layers as a single unit Unlink layers by deselecting some/all of the selected layers © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Using Multiple Selection Layers

To align multiple layers: –Select the layers on the Layers panel –Select one of the six options from the Align Linked command on the Layer menu © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Aligning Multiple Layers

© 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Centers of the Bananas, Floating strawberries, and Blueberries layers are aligned Aligned Layers

To distribute means to evenly space content Distributing procedure: –Select three or more layers –Verify opacity settings are 50% or greater –Select one of the six options from the Distribute command on the Layer menu © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Distributing Selected Layers

Use 1 of 10 transform commands on the Edit menu to transform an object Choose a transforming command: –A transform box appears around the object to be transformed –A transform box (or bounding box) is a rectangle that surrounds an image and contains handles used to change dimensions © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Transforming Objects

© 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Bounding Box with selection handles surrounds object to be transformed Transform Box

Select the object Choose a transform command or a sequence of transform commands Apply changes by clicking the Commit transform button on the Options bar © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Transforming Sequence

© 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Strawberries scaled Strawberries flipped Before After Transforming Examples

Alter pixels with intelligent scaling Make selection, click Edit > Content- Aware Scale © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Content-Aware Scaling

Control the colors and form of an image by blending pixels on one layer with pixels on another layer Blending options are located in the Layer Style dialog box © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Blending Pixels

© 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Layer Style Dialog Box

Control how pixels are blended by choosing a color as the Blend If color –The Blend If color determines the color range for the pixels to blend Use the This Layer and Underlying Layer sliders © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Control Blending

© 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Before Pixels Blended After Pixels Blended Blending Example

This Layer sliders –Specify the range of pixels that will be blended on the active layer Underlying Layer sliders –Specify the range of pixels that will be blended on all the lower—but still visible—layers © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Sliders

Create interesting effects by duplicating layers: –Click the layer to duplicate –Click the Layers panel options button –Click Duplicate Layer, then click OK © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Using Duplicate Layers

Disable a layer mask to: –Create duplicate layers and layer masks –Apply different styles and affects to layer masks –Show and hide layer masks individually to find the mask that gives the desired look © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Disable a Layer Mask

Options for removing layer masks: –Apply the mask to the layer so that it becomes a permanent part of the layer –Discard the mask and its effect completely © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Removing Layer Masks

A special layer that acts as a color filter for a single layer or all the layers beneath Create an adjustment layer to adjust color and tone Color changes made to the adjustment layer exist only in the adjustment layer, leaving the original layer unchanged © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Use an Adjustment Layer

Select the layer to adjust Use the Layer menu to click the new adjustments layer command or by clicking the Create new fill or adjustment layer button on the Layers panel Specify which of the color adjustments is required © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Creating an Adjustment Layer

© 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Creative/advanced controls Tonal controls Color controls Adjustments Panel

© 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning New Adjustment Layer added to the Layers panel Sample Adjustment Layer

Levels Curves Color Balance Brightness/ Contrast Hue/Saturation Selective Color Channel Mixer Gradient Map Invert Threshold Posterize © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Color Adjustments

Modify an adjustment layer by double- clicking the layer thumbnail on the adjustment layer Use as many adjustment layers as required, but create each one individually Merge adjustment layers with any visible layers in the image, including multiple- selection layers © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Working with Adjustment Layers

Group of two or more contiguous layers Used when one layer is to act as the mask for other layers or if the adjustment layer is to affect only the layer directly beneath it Bottom layer of a clipping mask is called the base layer and serves as the mask © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Create a Clipping Mask

Two layers are required: –One to create the shape of the mask –One to supply the content for the mask Either a type or an image layer can be used to create the clipping mask shape © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Creating a Clipping Mask

© 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Clipped texture appears in the layer Clipping Mask Sample

Layers in a clipping mask are grouped together Ungroup the layers to remove the clipping mask © 2011 Delmar Cengage Learning Removing a Clipping Mask