A detailed guide to layers in Photoshop: what it is, why you need it, how to use it | Lesson | Photo, video, optics

A layer in Photoshop is like a stack of transparencies that are stacked on top of each other. One film tones in a certain color, the other one raises the contrast, the third one changes the sharpness, the fourth one adds a new object to the photo. The result is an image consisting of fragments superimposed on each other. It looks like a 3D children’s book, in which a cardboard hare jumps out of voluminous bushes.

We tell you what a layer is in Photoshop, explain how to use layers, answer the most important questions in a blitz format, and at the end we give a cheat sheet with hot keys.

How to open layers in Photoshop?
How to make a new layer in Photoshop?
What is the layer made of?
What is a layer mask in Photoshop?
How to add a mask to a layer?
What is an adjustment layer in Photoshop?
What is the Background layer / Background?
How to rename a layer?
How to select layers in Photoshop?
How to select multiple layers in Photoshop?
How to merge layers in Photoshop?
How to copy a layer?
How to remove a layer?
How to change layer color in Photoshop?
How to save layers in Photoshop?
How to paste a layer in Photoshop?
How to resize a layer in Photoshop?
How to combine layers into groups?
Layers in Photoshop — a list of keyboard shortcuts

How to open layers in Photoshop?

Work with layers without a palette Layers much longer. Find it in the command menu Window / Windows — Layers / Layers. Alternative — key F7.

Since the palette is constantly needed, it is better to attach the window to the workspace on the right.

How to make a new layer in Photoshop?

There are three ways to make a new layer in Photoshop:

1. At the bottom of the Layers / Layers panel, click on the square with a plus.

2. On the command line from above: Layer / Layers — New / New — Layer / Layers.

3. Press combination Shift+Ctrl+N. A window will open where you can name the layer, select a color and blend mode.

Note: in this menu, the color only highlights the layer, and is not filled with it. This helps to organize them for convenience if you are working with a lot of layers.

What is the layer made of?

Viewed from left to right, the layer consists of:

• Visibility icon. Click on it to make the layer invisible. Useful if you want to see before and after.
• A preview of the layer or layer settings if you are working with adjustment layers.
• Paper clips if the layer has a layer mask. It makes the layer and mask move and transform at the same time if the layer needs to be resized.
• Layer mask. It is a black, white or black and white rectangle. If you click on it, you will switch to working with a mask.
• Layer name.

What is a layer mask in Photoshop?

A mask is a stencil, by drawing on which you can erase the correction from a certain area. For example, recoloring only the model’s dress/eyes/hair without touching everything else. For more information on what masks are and how to use them, read the text.

How to add a mask to a layer?

To add a mask to the layer, click on the black rectangle with a circle in the center. Or go to the command menu Layer / Layers — Layer mask / Layer Mask — Show All / Reveal All.

What is an adjustment layer in Photoshop?

Adjustment layers are a group of layers that change the image underneath. They can raise the contrast, darken, lighten, tone, recolor certain parts of the photo, make the picture black and white.

They don’t contain pixels, only settings. Because of this, they weigh little, without making the picture heavier, and also allow you to change your settings at any time. Just double-click on the layer icon, which is located between the eye icon and the paper clip.

What is the Background layer / Background?

The background layer is the first layer that appears when you open a photo or create a new document.

There is a lock icon next to it. It prohibits erasing pixels from a layer, changing opacity, moving it, resizing it, adding it to a group, putting layers under it.

How to rename a layer?

To rename a layer in Photoshop, double-click on its name. Alternative: Layer / Layer — Rename Layer / Rename Layer.

How to select layers in Photoshop?

To start working with a layer, you need to select it. To do this, click on it with the left mouse button.

Watch where you click: if you click on the mask, you will switch to the mode for working with it, and if you click on the preview / layer icon, you will go to work with the layer, or in the parameters of the adjustment layer.

How to select multiple layers in Photoshop?

There are two ways to select layers:

1. To select several layers in a row: click on the first layer, hold Shift and click on the last layer.

2. To select several layers at random: click on the first desired layer, hold ctrl and, without releasing it, click on the rest of the desired layers.

How to merge layers in Photoshop?

If you need to merge layers into one:

1. Select all layers, press the right mouse button and in the list that appears, find Merge Layers / Merge Layer.

2. Go to command menu Layer / Layer — Merge visible / Merge Layer.

3. Click Shift+Ctrl+E.

How to copy a layer?

There are three ways to copy a layer:

1. Stand on the layer, right-click and select item Copy layer / Duplicate Layer.

2. Click on the layer and in the command line at the top find Layer / Layer — Copy layer / Duplicate Layer.

3. Press a combination of hot keys Ctrl+J

How to remove a layer?

Select the layer with a mouse click and select one of the options:

1. Press the key Delete on keyboard.

2. Pick up the layers and transfer to the trash can icon at the bottom left of the palette Layers.

3. Right click and select Delete layer / Delete Layer.

four. Layer / Layer — Delete / Delete — Layer / Layer.

How to change layer color in Photoshop?

Right-click on the layer and select any of the suggested colors. Important: this will not fill the layer with color, but will only highlight it from the rest for easier navigation.

How to save layers in Photoshop?

If you have not completed the work and want to return to it later, you need a file that saves layers with settings. To do this, you need to save the photo in a special format — .PSD. It was developed by Adobe to store the intermediate result of the work.

To save a photo as a .PSD:

1. Select a command from the menu File / File — Save as / Save as … or press hotkeys Shift+Ctrl+S.

2. In the save menu, select the .PSD format from the drop-down list.

How to paste a layer in Photoshop?

• If you need to add another file to the photo, for example, when collaging, just pick up the desired picture and move it to the workspace of the desired file.

• If you need to transfer a layer from one photo to another, for example, to tint a series of photos in one color:

• Select all desired layers.
• Drag them to the file name where you want to transfer the layers.

How to resize a layer in Photoshop?

To change the size of the layer and move it, use the function Free Transform / Free Transform. It’s on the menu Editing / Edit — Free Transform / Free Transformor activated by hotkeys ctrl+t. A frame will appear, moving which you can change the size and location of the layer.

How to combine layers into groups?

To add layers to a group, use one of the options:

1. Select the layers and click on the folder icon at the bottom of the layers palette.

2. Select layers and press Ctrl + G.

3. Click on the folder icon to create a group, and then pick up the selected layers and move them to the created group.

4. Select the desired layers and select the command Layer / Layer — New / New — Group / Group.

Layers in Photoshop — a list of keyboard shortcuts

The list of hot keys is in the program itself. It’s on the menu Window / Window — Workspace / Workspace — Keyboard shortcuts and menus / Keyboard Shortcuts and Menus. We present the most important hotkey combinations for quick work with layers.