What is a layer? Learn about layers in Photoshop

If you are new to and learn about Photoshop then surely you hear the phrase Layer very much and everywhere. But to understand and manage the layers in Photoshop not everyone can grasp all. In this article, Software Tips will tell you in detail about Photoshop layers so you can understand them and use them effectively.

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I. What is a layer?

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Layer in English means: Class, but to understand in the meaning of the class is very difficult to understand, so we will explain roughly like this in Vietnam! Layer in Photoshop we can understand is an image layer, but it is completely transparent and has no content at all. That means in Photoshop that there are many layers that we do not touch them, they are still no different from the default, initially. When we manipulate them, the new layer starts to change according to the operations. More specifically, Photoshop layers are just layers of transparent paper for us to draw on, manipulate to overlay content on the content below.

II. What are layers in Photoshop used for?

We can see that in Photoshop there are many different operations, if we manipulate right on their content it is not possible because if the wrong one we have to delete everything. But the Layer will help you handle that problem, you manipulate the Layer if there is a mistake, you delete the layer, edit the layer is done without affecting the original image content.

When there is too much content to operate on a main image, the disorder, uncontrollable, overlapping effects make the image disturbed. Layer will take care of splitting effects so you can manage more easily and customize quickly. Eg:

1. Layer 1: Edit raw photos
2. Layer 2: Add a sharpening effect
3. Layer 3: Lighten
4. Layer 4: Create color

So you can see that the layer separates your manipulations and applies them one after the other.

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III. How does Layer work?

Layer works according to the principle of stacked. Ie: The content of the above layers will be displayed first and then turn to the lower layers. To use layers effectively, you need to understand more about opacity. If you do not know more about the Opacity, you probably only use one layer but can not mix layers.

Read more: What is 2019-08-13_DatPT_Opacity How to use Opacity in Photoshop

IV. Some basic operations when using Layer

1. Create a new Layer

Layers are a major part of Photoshop, so they have two different ways of creating them.

Through the icon

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Use the command

You choose Layer -> New -> Layer or press the Shift + Ctrl + N .

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2. How to merge layers into one

Step 1: You select the layers you want to merge by holding down Ctrl and clicking on any layer (No need to order).

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Step 2: Then you select Layer -> Merge Layers (or Ctrl + E combination ).

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The layers will then be merged into one.

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3. Create groups for the layers

Other than merging Layer into one. Create layers for the Layer to keep the Layers and convert them into 1 Folder to help them tidy.

Step 1: Select the layers you want to group by holding down Ctrl and Click on the Layer .

Then you press Ctrl + G or right-click and select Group from Layers .

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Your layers will be grouped together.

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When you need to see, just click on the Group's arrow and the layers will appear.

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4. How to move the Layer

To move layers very simply you follow the steps as follows:

Step 1: Click and hold on the Layer .

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Step 2: Then move the mouse to bring the layer down where you want.

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Step 3: Release the mouse button for the layer to be moved.

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Thus, in this article, the Software Tips introduced you to layers in Photoshop and some basic operations of layers. Have a nice day!