1. Working with Special Layer Functions
Chapter 8
Working with Special Layer Functions

2. 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

3. Using Special Layer Features
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)

4. Layer Functions Turn changes on or off Align images
Blend and adjust color
Combine elements to enhance an image

5. Use a Layer Mask with a Selection
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

6. Creating a Layer Mask
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

7. Traditional Definition of 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
MASK

8. Painting a Layer Mask Add a layer mask to a layer
Layer mask thumbnail displays in the Layers panel to the right of the image thumbnail
Reshape the layer mask with the Brush tool and a specific brush size or tip

9. Painting a Layer Mask
Layer mask

10. Painting with Black Foreground
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

11. Layer mask is black to hide pixels
Layer Mask Example
School Bus layer
Layer mask is black to hide pixels
Layer mask thumbnail

12. Painting with White Foreground
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

13. Using the Properties Panel
Create and control a mask nondestructively
Found in the Essentials and Color and Tone workspaces
Grouped with the Info panel

14. Correcting a Mask
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

15. Work with Multiple Masked Layers
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

16. Understanding the Link Icon
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

17. Selecting Multiple Layers
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

18. Selecting Multiple Layers
Select multiple layers
Note that Link layers button is available, and not dimmed
Link layers button

19. Using Multiple Selection 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

20. Aligning Multiple 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

21. Centers of the Opposition and Running players layers are aligned
Aligned Layers
Centers of the Opposition and Running players layers are aligned

22. Distributing Selected 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

23. Transforming Objects
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

24. Transform Box Smart Guide coordinates
Bounding Box with selection handles surrounds object to be transformed

25. Transforming Sequence
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

26. Transforming Examples
Single player flipped horizontally

27. Content-Aware Scaling
Alter pixels with intelligent scaling
Make selection, click Edit > Content-Aware Scale

28. Control Pixels to Blend Colors
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

29. Layer Style Dialog Box

30. Controlling Blending
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

31. Blending Example
Before Pixels Blended
After Pixels Blended

32. Sliders This Layer sliders Underlying 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

33. Using Duplicate Layers
Create interesting effects by duplicating layers:
Click the layer to duplicate
Click the Layers panel list arrow
Click Duplicate Layer, then click OK

34. Eliminate a Layer Mask 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

35. Removing Layer Masks 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

36. Use an Adjustment Layer
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

37. Creating an Adjustment Layer
Select the layer to adjust
Use the Layer menu to click a 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

38. Creative/advanced controls
Adjustments Panel
Tonal controls
Color controls
Creative/advanced controls

39. Sample Adjustment Layer
New Adjustment Layer added to the Layers panel

40. Color Adjustments Levels Curves Color Balance Brightness/ Contrast
Hue/Saturation
Selective Color
Channel Mixer
Gradient Map
Invert
Threshold
Posturize

41. Working with Adjustment Layers
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

42. Create a Clipping Mask 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

43. Creating 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

44. Clipped texture appeared in the layer
Clipping Mask Sample
Clipped texture appeared in the layer

45. Removing a Clipping Mask
Layers in a clipping mask are grouped together
Ungroup the layers to remove the clipping mask