The Layer-palette

Learn how to use the palette before using Photoshop!

• Step 1 This will teach you how to use the palette, the one thing that must be know before using Photoshop...

  

• Step 2 If you look at the image, you see 2 things pointed out.
  The dropdown-menu features the blending-modes. The word says it... It will show various modes and ways how to blend your layer.
  This list features enough modes to make sure that your layer will overlay the layer under it perfectly.
  The small button at the bottom is called the Blending-Options button wich will add a layer-style to your layer like a stroke, an outer glow or others.
  These 2 things are the most-used objects in my tutorials and therefore, I must advice you to just experiment with them...

  

• Step 3 "Lower the Opacity to 35%"... Most people don't know what I'm talking about and they find themselves trapped...
  Not anymore... These 2 sliders will be explained RIGHT NOW :)
  The upper slider controls the Opacity wich, if lowered, will result that the layer INCLUDING Layer-styles will be see-through.
  The lower slider controls the Fill wich, if lowered, will result that the layer WITHOUT Layer-styles will be see-through...
  In the image below I lowered both the Fill and the Opacity of 2 WHITE orbs to 50%... notice the difference?

  

• Step 4 The buttons in the image-below are maybe not being used much, but if you know and understand them, you can use them to your advantage!
  The first button controls the Blending-Options also called the Layer-styles. Many people may not understand why I call them BLENDING-options because you might think it's not blending you do... Actually you do! You add Layer-styles to the object in order to blend it to your desired background!
  The second button adds layer-masks wich is great for fading and overlay-animations.
  The 3rd buttons is just being used if you're a control-freak and like to have your palette in order. Add a set to the palette and it can be used to store layers in so you won't be searching for one specific layer for a long time...
  The 4th button is just a hotkey for the EDIT>ADJUSTMENTS-menu... It has the same options and it can just control the massive changes on the layers.
  The last button is the most used button on the palette I think. Just click it once or twice to create one or 2 new layers!

  

• Step 5 The 3 icons you see in the next image aren't always being shown. The first one (the eye) is being shown always, but can be turned off wich will result in the layer to be hidden.
  The 2nd icon (the brush) states out that the layer with the brush is your current layer... that simple!
  The other layers will have an open gap in that spot, but if you click it, the 3rd icon (the chain) will pop-up wich will result in the layers with an chain AND the original to be CHAINED TOGETHER.
  Use this last option to merge typical layers or move a few layers all at once.

  

• Step 6 The last 4 buttons on the palette are the Lock-buttons wich can be used very simple.
  The first one controls the barrier-lock wich will result, when activated, that your layer can only be edited inside the border that it had before the locking.
  If confused, check the image below. The first orb has no lock on it, but the second orb DOES have a lock wich will result that you can only brush INSIDE the orb, not on the outside.
  This can be used when you need to edit a few things inside an object but you don't want to go outside the lines...
  The second button is very simple, you just can't add anything to the layer, because it has this lock on it...
  The 3rd one is also very simple... You can't move your layer. You can edit it, add things, but NOT move it!
  The last button adds all the previous locks wich will make the entire layer locked for every actions!