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Photoshop Tutorial Layers
Published: 2010-06-17 00:33:13 +0000 UTC; Views: 51963; Favourites: 906; Downloads: 895
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Description
I've been wanting to make this one for a loooong time.
And now I have. The file I uploaded is big, but you can just right click and "save as" the full view if you don't want to wait for the download.
It covers the uber basics for photoshop noobs, plus some extra more complicated stuff. I've tried to fit in as much useful information as possible, and I hope it comes in handy for alot of beginning photoshop users. You may have to zoom in extra to read some of the screenshot stuff.
Feel free to feature this in a journal, add it to a group, save it to your computer for future reference, or translate it into a different language if you feel so inclined.
Please credit me where possible so more people can find the resource.
Also please let me know if you found it useful, need more clarification on a topic, or if there are any typos.
Enjoy.
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Comments: 133
As the suggester for the DD says, this is a great tutorial for those who never used Photoshop, like myself, and this helps a lot in using it. X3 Thanks!
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you're welcome! So glad I could help.
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hehe... thanks. I like your icon by the way!
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Thank you sooooo much! I've been wondering how to use layers, and yet everyone thinks I should already know how, so I couldn't find any tutorials or help on it. So thanks a bunch!
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you're welcome! I noticed that too. Most tutorials assume you know the basics, which they often must. But I'm glad you've found mine! Good luck learning layers. ^_^
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Excellent tutorial! I remember trying to figure out Photoshop on my own before. Trying to find out about how clipping masks were was such a pain I gave up on it. This will definitely be useful for beginners.
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Thanks! I have a similar story. I think I learned most of this basic info when another tutorial mentioned it off hand. Now it's all in one spot. ^_^
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Nice idea! I wish someone would have told me that when I started to use PS; it would have saved me a lot of time.
Btw... you can also add a clipping mask when you hold shift. When your cursor is in between the two layers you want to combine it will change into another symbol (two arrows I think). Just click and that's it. I like this way because I don't have to either get my hand off the mouse or to wrench my fingers.
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wow, awesome bit of info! I'll have to try that out.
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hey, great tut, i just want to mention, if you double click the background layer, it will prompt you to rename it. it doesnt matter what you name it, but the layer will go back to having full editing capabilities. ^^
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really? If you rename it? good to know!
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I like to think of myself as a proficient Photoshop user, but somehow I've never learned about clipping before. Thanks!
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it seems that alot of people are finding that especially useful. Glad I could help!
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The funny thing is, I know this and I still mess it up every time I try
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Very nice for beginners
I myself learned a few things like the clipping mask
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I'm glad you found at least one thing new.
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I didnt know any of that, thank you so much! I'll try it soon
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you're welcome! hope it comes in handy.
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I should note that layers do not merge down, but merge up, taking the topmost layer name. (discovered this last night.)
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really? hm... I thought I checked that before I said it. Either I have a different setting or my brain was fried. Thanks for the tip!
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You're welcome. And don't worry too much. All our brains are friend at one point or another. Nice Avatar, BTW.
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After having photoshop for a few months, I've pretty much gotten the hang of how layers work already, but this was so informative and helpful that I just had to fave it. Excellent tutorial!
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Actually you can change the Background into a fully functional layer by right clicking and selecting "Layer from Background". This way you never have any unused layers, and you can drag it up and down in the list when you create layers that you want to go under it. I would argue that this is an essential step because it gets rid of many possible mistakes.
Good tutorial otherwise though.
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I've done that before, but didn't find it necessary in the way I work with PS so I just leave it alone now. (I was actually more amused by the fact that I was spiting photoshop and it's locked background layer by making a copy. XD) It probably depends on personal preference and style. Good to note though! If I make another tutorial I'll add that in.
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Clipping is also very useful for adding textures onto a layer. I forgot to add that in. hope you find it useful!
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Thanks for the tutorial! A lot of this I found out on my own, but it's nice to have it organized nicely and explained from someone who has a better understanding of Photoshop.
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You're welcome!
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Finally, I've been trying to figure out masks in photoshop elements forever (unlike the cs series, elements SUCKS).
Thank you.
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This sure would have saved a lot of time if I'd read it before! I'm nothing like a pro, but also not a newnewbie anymore, haha! Also, the clipping thing is new to me, I'll have to try that. Thanks and congrats on the DD!
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An excellent resource for anyone getting into Photoshop. I'll definitely be linking folks to this the next time I get asked questions!
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thanks so much! please do link.
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good job. Very useful. Would have helped me tons when I started lol.
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Oh I wish I had this when I first started out! xD Would have saved me a lot of time! I'm sure a lot of newbies will find this useful. C:
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I wish I had had it too! I couldn't find a tutorial for layers when I first started out, so it took me about 2 months before I started using them even for the basics.
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Oh I used layers right away, but I didn't know how much they could do until even just a year ago. xD *has been using photoshop for almost 4 years* There's just so many things and it's so hard to tell what everything does in an unfamiliar program.
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