Photoshop CC: The Missing Manual

Layer Basics

Layers come in many flavors, all of which have their own special purpose:

• Image layers. These layers are pixel-based (see The Open Dialog Box)—in fact, Photoshop also calls ’em pixel layers—and you’ll work with them all the time. If you open a photo or add a new, empty layer and paint on it (Chapter 13), you’ve got yourself an Image layer.

• Fill layers. When it comes to changing or adding color to an image, these layers are your best friends. They let you fill a layer with a solid color, gradient, or pattern, which comes in handy when you want to create new backgrounds or fill a selection with color. Just like Shape layers (which are explained in a sec), you can double-click a Fill layer’s thumbnail to change its color anytime. The next time you’re tempted to add an empty layer and fill it with color (Copying and Pasting Layers), try using one of these layers instead.

• Adjustment layers. These ever-so-useful layers let you apply changes to one or all the layers underneath them, though the changes actually happen on the Adjustment layer. For example, if you want to change a color image to black and white, you can use a Black & White Adjustment layer (Black & White Adjustment Layers) and the color removal happens on its own layer, leaving the original unharmed. These layers don’t contain any pixels, just instructions that tell Photoshop what changes you want to make (which is why you can’t use any of the program’s painting tools on them). Adjustment layers are also handy for ...