Understanding Layers

[commosgt68]

Does anyone know of a good tutorial that explains layers and their use in simple terms. I still have problems more like mental blocks when it comes to working with layers. I have a very basic idea on how they work but I think my problem is in how and when to use layers say in doing a photo touchup.

Of all the features in Photoshop I find layers to be the most confusing, at least to me. Perhaps someone could explain them in a way I could grasp.

Having just turned 62 years old I have senior moments LoL, but I basically taught myself about computers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[enigmatic]

I had a very trying time getting used to doing layers,I just used the step by step instructions with the photo shop mag. that you can buy,as with the help from here.I am still learning,It is something that takes time practice i found,I can not tell you how because i am to much concertrating on what i am learning here as well,practice time and no swearing...But but the mag and you can see the illerstrations as you go..good luck..go hard at it,may biorust be the force behind you.cheers enigmatic

[zapphnath]

Do you remember ever seeing, in the old encyclopedias, the group of transparencies that show all the parts of the body? One page has the skeletal structure, the next has the muscle groups, the next has the blood vessels, etc..
You could look at each page, individually, to see just certain parts, or you could put all of the pages together and see the entire body.
Layers, in Photoshop, work in a very similar fashion. Like those pages of painted cellophane, the transparent areas allow what's behind that page to show through.
What layers allow you to do is to combine pictures into a new image without having to make the changes permanent. By keeping each element on it's own layer, you can continue to make changes to the individual parts without affecting the whole thing.
Say you want to put your head on someone else's body (for whatever reason) but the colors don't quite match. Well, if you'd have simply pasted it onto the same layer, you'd have a hard time adjusting the colors of the head without making those same adjustments to the rest of the image. Keeping it on it's own layer let's you adjust the levels, colors, etc. of the head so that it matches the rest (or the rest to match the head).
Layers, in combination with Styles, Blending Modes, etc., allow for some very special effects that aren't possible any other way.
Like enigmatic says, if the tutorial you're trying to follow suggests doing something on a new layer, do it. And keep trying new tutorials. With each one, you'll gain a better understanding of some aspect of Photoshop and it won't be long before you're back here trying to explain it to some other "noob" (and, hopefully, you'll do a better job than this).

good luck

[peony]

Wow! Thanks! This was really helpful. I just have PS Elements ... thought it might be a better, less complicated starting point for me. (I'm also self-taught.) I have tried following step by step, but your reply makes it all more understandable. Thanks, again.

[commosgt68]

Thanks conceptually I understand what the layer function does, but I guess my problem is this. Ok lets say I have a photo open and the first layer is the background, and say I want to take a portion of the photo and place it on a separate layer. I create a new layer but how do I get the portion I want onto the newly created layer, this is where my problem with layers comes in.

A while back I created a series of targeting rings for the game Everquest and they required the use of several layers, I could not figure out how to do them with Photoshop so I used Digital Image but that program lacks a ton of features. Actually layers in DI are extremely simple, just wish they were that way in Photoshop LoL.

[MrProtoman]

Easiest way to do that would be to select the areas you want with one of the marquee tools, then right click on the selected area and hit 'Layer via Copy' or 'Layer via Cut', depending on if you want the section to be part of the original layer or not. There's another way of selecting with the pen tool, but I suck using that one, so I leave it alone. :P

[zapphnath]

Aaahhh...Okay.
MrProtoman is correct - the first step would be to make a selection of the area you want to put on it's own layer. There are several ways to do this: the Marquee Tools, the Lasso Tools, Select > Color Range, the Magic Wand, and the Pen Tool. Once you've made the selection, there are several ways to get it to it's own layer: Edit > Copy - Edit > Paste (will make it's own new layer), right-click (with a selection tool active) and choose Layer Via Cut, or the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + J (Cmd + J on Mac).
You'll find that Photoshop offers several ways to do just about everything.
For a decent tutorial on the basics of the Pen Tool (which is a lot easier than you think, once you get the hang of it) check this out:
http://www.phazongraphics.com/forum/...pic.php?t=2380

Like I said, before, finding and following some tutorials - even on subjects you don't think you'll be interested in - can help you out, in the long run.

[commosgt68]

Thanks so very much everyone I am now working my way through one of the tutorials using the information I received here. All I can say is you all are just great after me messing around for a couple of months not really understanding how to use the layer command to have it explained in a couple of hours is wonderful.

I only wish I had found this sites months ago, what a terrific bunch of knowledgeable folks. Once again I wish to thanks you.