book

Photoshop® CS3 Layers Bible

Name: Photoshop® CS3 Layers Bible
ISBN: 9780470082119

by Matt Doyle, Simon Meek

October 2007

Beginner to intermediate

761 pages

20h 2m

English

Wiley

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Copyright
About the Authors
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
I. Layer Basics
1. Introducing Layers
1.1. Understanding the Layers Concept1.2. Layers and Photoshop1.3. Introducing the Layers Palette1.3.1. Layers in the document window1.3.2. The anatomy of a layer1.4. Understanding Layer Transparency1.5. Types of Layers1.5.1. The Background layer1.5.2. Normal layers1.5.3. Type layers1.5.4. Shape layers1.5.5. Fill layers1.5.6. Adjustment layers1.6. Using Layers in Photoshop1.7. New Layer Features in Photoshop CS31.7.1. The new interface1.7.2. Smart Filters1.7.3. New adjustment layers1.7.4. Auto-Align Layers and Auto-Blend Layers1.8. Putting Theory into Practice1.8.1. Creating a new document1.8.2. Adding the photo1.8.3. Creating a box for the text1.8.4. Adding the text1.8.5. Playing with the layers1.9. Summary
2. Managing and Organizing Layers
2.1. Creating Layers2.1.1. Creating a layer from a selection2.1.2. Other ways to create layers2.2. Selecting Layers2.2.1. Selecting a single layer2.2.2. Selecting multiple layers2.2.3. Selecting layers with the Move tool2.3. Managing Layers2.3.1. Duplicating layers2.3.2. Merging layers together2.3.3. Converting the Background layer2.3.4. Moving the content of layers2.3.5. Aligning layer content2.3.6. Evenly distributing layer content2.3.7. Changing the order of layers2.3.8. Renaming layers and changing their color2.3.9. Setting a layer's opacity and fill2.3.10. Locking layers2.3.11. Deleting layers2.4. Controlling Layer Positioning2.4.1. Working with rulers2.4.2. Creating and using guides2.4.3. Using Smart Guides2.4.4. Positioning using the grid2.4.5. Snapping2.4.6. Measuring distances and angles with the Ruler tool2.5. Organizing Layers2.5.1. Linking layers together2.5.2. Unlinking layers2.5.3. Organizing layers into layer groups2.5.4. Showing and hiding layers and groups2.6. Summary
3. Resizing and Transforming Layers
3.1. Bitmaps versus Vectors3.2. The Transform Commands3.2.1. Moving the reference point3.2.2. Committing or canceling a transformation3.2.3. Repeating a transformation3.2.4. Scaling3.2.5. Rotating3.2.6. Skewing3.2.7. Distorting3.2.8. Applying perspective3.2.9. Warping3.2.10. Rotating by fixed amounts3.2.11. Flipping horizontally and vertically3.2.12. The Free Transform command3.3. Measuring Transformations3.4. Transforming by Numbers3.4.1. Moving by a precise amount3.4.2. Moving the reference point precisely3.4.3. Scaling by numbers3.4.4. Rotating by numbers3.4.5. Skewing by numbers3.5. Transforming Other Content3.6. Tutorial: Transforming Type Layers3.7. Summary

II. Exploring Special Layer Types
4. Creating Text with Type Layers
4.1. What is a Type Layer?4.2. Adding a Type Layer4.3. Selecting Type4.4. Working with Point Type and Paragraph Type4.4.1. Creating point type4.4.2. Creating paragraph type4.5. Formatting Characters4.5.1. Choosing a font4.5.2. Font styles4.5.3. Setting font sizes4.5.4. Setting line spacing (leading)4.5.5. Adjusting the kerning between letters4.5.6. Setting horizontal spacing (tracking)4.5.7. Stretching and squeezing type4.5.8. Shifting the baseline4.5.9. Choosing a type color4.5.10. Smoothing type with anti-aliasing4.5.11. Controlling fractional widths4.5.12. Using system text handling4.5.13. Preventing unwanted word breaks4.5.14. Rotating letters in vertical type4.6. Formatting Paragraphs4.6.1. Aligning type4.6.2. Justifying type4.6.3. Indenting paragraphs4.6.4. Adjusting the space between paragraphs4.6.5. Controlling hyphenation4.6.6. Choosing a composition method4.6.7. Adjusting word and letter spacing4.6.8. Specifying hanging punctuation4.7. Checking and Correcting Spelling4.8. Finding and Replacing Text4.9. Creating Warped Type4.10. Creating Type on a Path4.10.1. Positioning the type4.10.2. Flipping the type4.10.3. Reshaping the type4.10.4. Creating type inside a closed path4.11. Creating Bitmap Type Layers4.12. Converting Type Layers to Shape Layers4.13. Creating Work Paths from Type Layers4.14. Creating Type as a Mask4.15. Understanding Type Aesthetics4.15.1. Serif type4.15.2. Sans serif type4.15.3. Display type4.16. Tutorial: Bringing It All Together4.16.1. Adding a title4.16.2. Creating the main text4.16.3. Adding the drop capital4.17. Summary
5. Working with Shape Layers
5.1. Adding a Shape Layer5.1.1. Working with basic shape tools5.1.2. Working with the Custom Shape tool5.1.3. Other ways to create a shape layer5.2. Editing Shape Layers5.2.1. Editing a shape layer's style and content5.2.2. Moving and altering shapes5.3. Combining Shapes on a Single Layer5.3.1. Adding shapes together5.3.2. Subtracting shapes from each other5.3.3. Intersecting and excluding overlapping shapes5.3.4. Recombining existing shapes on a layer5.3.5. Aligning and distributing shapes5.4. Tutorial: Shape Layers in Practice5.4.1. Adding the first shape5.4.2. Adding the chopsticks5.5. Summary
6. Exploring Adjustment and Fill Layers
6.1. Introducing Adjustment Layers6.2. Creating an Adjustment Layer6.2.1. Setting adjustment layer options6.2.2. Previewing color changes with the Info palette6.2.3. Applying an adjustment to specific layers6.3. Editing Adjustment Layers6.4. Exploring Adjustment Layer Types6.4.1. Adjusting Levels6.4.2. Fine-tuning contrast with Curves6.4.3. Tweaking colors with Color Balance6.4.4. Altering brightness and contrast6.4.5. Converting an image to black and white6.4.6. Adjusting colors using Hue/Saturation6.4.7. Changing CMYK values with Selective Color6.4.8. Mashing up colors with the Channel Mixer6.4.9. Using Gradient Map to colorize images6.4.10. Simulating lens filters with Photo Filter6.4.11. Making tonal adjustments with Exposure6.4.12. Inverting an image's colors6.4.13. Applying a threshold6.4.14. Posterizing an image6.5. Creating Filled Areas with Fill Layers6.5.1. Adding a fill layer6.5.2. Creating blocks of color with Solid Color fill layers6.5.3. Making gradients with Gradient fill layers6.5.4. Filling with a pattern using Pattern fill layers6.6. Masking Adjustment and Fill Layers6.7. Using Blending Modes with Adjustment and Fill Layers6.8. Summary
III. Advanced Layer Features
7. Combining Layers with Blending Modes
7.1. Choosing a Blending Mode7.2. Understanding Blending Modes7.3. Exploring the Blending Modes7.3.1. Simple blending modes7.3.2. Darkening modes7.3.3. Lightening modes7.3.4. Light modes7.3.5. Difference modes7.3.6. Component modes7.3.7. Summarizing the blending modes7.4. Fine-Tuning a Blend Effect7.4.1. Excluding color channels from the blend7.4.2. Creating knockouts7.4.3. Blending interior effects7.4.4. Controlling the blending of a clipping mask7.4.5. Disabling a layer's transparency mask7.4.6. Hiding effects with layer and vector masks7.4.7. Blending by color range7.5. Applying Blending Modes to Layer Effects7.6. Summary
8. Exploring Smart Objects
8.1. Creating a Smart Object8.1.1. Creating a Smart Object from one or more layers8.1.2. Creating a Smart Object from Illustrator artwork8.1.3. Creating a Smart Object from an image file8.2. Editing Smart Objects8.2.1. Duplicating Smart Objects8.2.2. Nesting Smart Objects8.2.3. Converting and deleting Smart Objects8.3. Working with Smart Filters8.3.1. Applying a Smart Filter8.3.2. Editing Smart Filters8.3.3. Masking Smart Filters8.3.4. Setting Smart Filter blending options8.4. Exporting and Replacing Smart Objects8.5. Tutorial: Using Smart Objects in Practice8.6. Summary
9. Working with Masks
9.1. Types of Masks9.1.1. General masks9.1.2. Masks specific to layers9.2. Exploring Selection Masks and Alpha Channels9.2.1. Using selection masks and the Quick Mask mode9.2.2. Saving selections as alpha channels9.3. Using Layer Masks9.3.1. Creating layer masks9.3.2. Editing layer masks9.4. Using Vector Masks9.4.1. Creating vector masks9.4.2. Editing vector masks9.5. Managing Layer and Vector Masks9.5.1. Moving a mask to a different layer9.5.2. Loading a mask as a selection9.5.3. Linking and unlinking a mask9.5.4. Disabling a mask9.6. Combining Layer and Vector Masks9.7. Masking Layers with Clipping Masks9.7.1. Creating a clipping mask9.7.2. Editing clipping masks9.8. Tutorial: A Complete Example9.8.1. Creating the mask for the cell phone9.8.2. Putting the elements together9.8.3. Creating the final header image9.9. Summary
10. Discovering Layer Styles
10.1. Adding a Layer Style10.2. Editing and Managing Layer Styles10.2.1. Disabling, hiding, and deleting effects10.2.2. Moving and duplicating effects and styles10.2.3. Creating and managing preset layer styles10.2.4. Converting a layer style to individual layers10.3. Exploring Layer Effects10.3.1. Drop Shadow and Inner Shadow10.3.2. Outer and Inner Glow10.3.3. Bevel and Emboss10.3.4. Satin10.3.5. Color, Gradient, and Pattern Overlay10.3.6. Stroke10.4. Using Contours10.4.1. Working with contour presets10.4.2. Creating your own contours10.5. Tutorial: Creating a Logo Using Layer Styles10.6. Summary
11. Using Layer Comps
11.1. Introducing the Layer Comps Palette11.2. Creating and Deleting Layer Comps11.3. Flipping Between Layer Comps11.4. Updating Layer Comps11.5. Changing Layer Comp Options11.6. Understanding Layer Comp Warnings11.7. Exporting Layer Comps11.7.1. Exporting comps to flat image files11.7.2. Exporting comps to a PDF file11.7.3. Exporting comps as a Web photo gallery11.8. Summary
IV. Using Layers in Real-World Situations
12. Exploring Layer Strategies
12.1. Organizing Layers for Clarity12.1.1. Naming your layers12.1.2. Grouping layers by content]12.2. Storing Different Versions of Documents12.2.1. Using layer comps12.2.2. Using Version Cue12.2.3. Creating your own versioning system12.3. Managing Documents12.3.1. Naming your files12.3.2. Organizing your files12.3.3. Backing up12.4. Nondestructive Editing12.4.1. Editing with adjustment layers12.4.2. Using Smart Objects and Smart Filters12.4.3. Using layer masks and clipping masks12.4.4. Copying layers12.5. Flattening an Image12.6. Working in a Team12.6.1. Creating self-documenting files12.6.2. Making sure your files are accurate12.6.3. Abiding by the rules12.6.4. Getting hired with layers12.7. Exploring Common Workflow Scenarios12.7.1. Photography12.7.2. Web design12.7.3. Print design12.8. Choosing a Strategy12.8.1. Navigating your document's layers12.8.2. Knowing your tools12.8.3. Keeping an eye on the final result12.8.4. Three ways to a similar result12.9. Summary
13. Using Layers in Other Applications
13.1. Understanding the PSD Format13.2. Setting File Handling Preferences13.3. Working with Other Layered File Formats13.3.1. Using TIFF13.3.2. Working with Photoshop PDF13.4. Using Layers in Other Applications13.4.1. Using the Adobe Creative Suite13.4.2. Using PSD files with photo editing tools13.4.3. Exploring Photoshop layer support in QuarkXPress 713.4.4. Other applications13.5. Summary
14. Designing with Layers
14.1. Tweaking Photos in a Design Environment14.1.1. Adding a Levels adjustment layer14.1.2. Making selective adjustments with a layer mask14.1.3. Tidying up the mask14.1.4. Applying adjustments to other photos in a batch14.2. Designing a Web Site with Layers14.2.1. Creating a new document14.2.2. Using a design grid14.2.3. Setting up the grid14.2.4. Creating the header image14.2.5. Adding the menu14.2.6. Adding the logo14.2.7. Laying out the rest of the page14.2.8. Organizing the layers14.2.9. Export strategies14.3. Creating a Montage14.3.1. Adding the first two photos14.3.2. Using a layer mask to blend the photos14.3.3. Using blending modes to add depth14.3.4. Composition of the montage14.3.5. Adding more images14.3.6. Producing an alternative version14.3.7. Using the montage to create a brochure14.4. Creating a Mixed-Media Piece14.4.1. Preparing the scanned media14.4.2. Assembling the illustration14.4.3. Creating the river and sky14.4.4. Adding some handwritten text and doodles14.4.5. Adding some final typography14.5. Summary
15. Manipulating Photos by Using Layers
15.1. Retouching a Landscape15.1.1. Applying an adjustment to the whole image15.1.2. Creating the mask15.1.3. Making the image "pop"15.2. Fixing Color Casts in Photos15.2.1. Correcting the bridge photo15.2.2. Correcting the microphone photo15.3. Retouching a Portrait15.3.1. Enhancing the exposure15.3.2. Enhancing the skin tones15.3.3. Finishing touches15.4. Converting Photos to Black and White15.4.1. Converting the images using Hue/Saturation15.4.2. Converting the images using the Channel Mixer15.4.3. Converting the images using Black & White15.4.4. Comparing the three methods15.4.5. Finishing off a black-and-white image15.5. Aligning Two Handheld Photos15.5.1. Creating the document15.5.2. Aligning the layers15.5.3. Creating the final image15.6. Summary
16. Creating Personal Projects with Layers
16.1. Creating and Printing Invitations16.1.1. Creating a document for the invitation16.1.2. Laying out the invitation16.1.3. Adding text and graphics16.1.4. Placing multiple copies on a single page16.1.5. Preparing the document for printing16.1.6. Printing the invitations16.2. Making a Poster16.2.1. Creating a new document16.2.2. Adding the photo16.2.3. Creating the text and graphic elements16.2.4. Adding filters to the photo16.3. Creating a Calendar16.3.1. Creating the basic layout16.3.2. Adding a photo16.3.3. Creating a space for the month view16.3.4. Creating the month view16.3.5. Adding the year, month name, and caption16.3.6. Creating multiple pages16.4. Summary
V. Appendixes
A. Using the CD-ROM
A.1. System RequirementsA.2. Installing the CDA.3. What's on the CDA.3.1. Author-created materialsA.3.2. ApplicationsA.4. Searchable version of the Photoshop Layers BibleA.5. TroubleshootingA.6. Customer Care
B. Shortcuts for Working with Layers

Content preview from Photoshop® CS3 Layers Bible

Chapter 11. Using Layer Comps

Layer comps, first introduced in Photoshop CS, are a great way to try out different compositions of your layers (hence the name). You can think of layer comps as snapshots of the state of your layers. For example, you can create a layer comp that records the current arrangement of your layers, rearrange a few layers to form a new composition, and then save that snapshot as a new layer comp. You can then flip between the two comps and decide which one you like best.

Photoshop lets you create as many layer comps as you want in a document. Layer comps merely record information such as layer positions and settings, so they don't add much to your documents file size.

Such convenience comes at a price, however. As layer comps don't record everything about your layers, they can be quite restrictive. For example, they don't track the following:

The stacking order of your layers within the Layers palette.
Any edits to the actual contents of a layer, such as painting on a layer, using a retouching tool on a layer, editing the type in a type layer, or transforming the contents of a layer with a transform command. However, they do record the horizontal and vertical position of a layer's contents.
Any Smart Filters that you apply to Smart Objects.

These limitations can sometimes be frustrating; however, once you're aware of what layer comps can and cannot do, they can be a very useful tool, both for artistic experimentation and also for those all-important client demos. ...

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Photoshop® CS3 Layers Bible

by Matt Doyle, Simon Meek

Chapter 11. Using Layer Comps

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