Pixel's Web Works

Basic PSP Layers - Part 1 of the Layers Series

You can download this tutorial for offline viewing.
[The Basics of Layers] [Creating An Image With Layers]
[Manipulating Layers] [All 3 Tutorials in One Download]

This tutorial is written for beginners, so the steps are long and very detailed. It will show you how layers work, and how you can work with layers to get the most flexibility out of your graphics.

There are 3 parts to this tutorial.

Part 1 explains what layers are, how they work, and gives some examples of why to work in layers.

Part 2 lets you create an image composed of several layers.

Part 3 lets you manipulate the layers for different effects.

Special thanks go to Hoods Quick Tip 27for an excellent tutorial (Note: Hoods' tutorials and quick tips are no longer available)on image formats and image quality. This has allowed me to produce a tutorial with much better images than my previous tutorials. Thanks also to Sergio for proofing and testing this.

	PSP 5 and above allows you to create your graphics on layers. You choose which pieces of an image go on which layer. The layers act like transparent sheets of glass all stacked on top of each other. When you view your image with all the layers turned on, it is like looking down through the top of the stack. The image on the left is made from 4 layers. They are described below.
	Here are the 4 layers in stacked view. Default Canvas Layer - The layer on the bottom is the first layer that comes up when you open a new image. It is called Layer 1 or Background. It's colour will change depending on which options you choose when starting a new image. I always start my images with the option of a transparent background, so the grey and white checkerboard displays. I find it easier especially when doing things where sections of an image are cut out, or for making tubes, since there is no colour to remove afterwards. Green Background Layer - This layer contains the background colour for the entire image. Putting the background colour on it's own layer makes it very easy to change the colour. You simple go to the background layer and flood fill it with a new colour or texture. There is no messing about with selecting around other images like the photo, because the photo and background colours are on their own layer. I'll show you how easy it is to change background colours in part 2 of this tutorial. Photo Layer - Next is the photograph centered in the frame. It is on it's own layer so that different effects can be applied to it. In this case, the faded edges effect was applied without disturbing the background green colour. Frame Layer - The top layer is the picture frame. It is created on it's own, so it can be manipulated on it's own. You can see that even though there are 4 layers, the image itself looks like it is all done on the same palette.
	The order of the layers is important. Layers are not automatically transparent. If they have transparent areas, the layer below will show through. That is why the photo and the green background show through the frame layer. The frame layer contains only the frame, with the inside part transparent. Similarly, the photo does not cover the entire canvas area, so the green background shows through. If the green background layer were the top layer, all you would see on the canvas is green background, since it fills the entire space and does not allow the layers below to show through.
Some of the things you should know about layers. Layers can only be saved in PSP format. It is a good habit to always save your images in PSP format. When images are ready for web pages they can be saved again as jpg or gif files. By always keeping a master copy in PSP format, you can make adjustments to an image, or copy layers from one image to a new one. Layers can be duplicated, deleted, modified, enhanced or temporarily hidden. PSP 5 and 6 allow you to work with upwards of 30 layers on an image. The graphic on the main page of this site had over 30 layers before it was sliced and saved as a series of jpg files. Layers can be grouped together so that they are always displayed together. 2 or more layers can be merged together to make a new layer. Components of one layer can be moved, modified or enhanced without affecting other layers. Having the ability to move things around without disturbing other parts of an image is very powerful. It's a good idea to use plenty of layers in an image, to make working with your image easier. Drop shadows can be saved on a layer separate from the image that is shadowed. Blade Pro effects can be saved on a layer separate from the image that has the effect applied.

[Layer Basics]    [Creating an Image With Layers]    [Manipulating Layers]