|
||
When layers appeared back in version 2 of Photoshop, designers wondered how they had ever managed without the facility to create artwork on multiple editable layers.
Although we now take layers for granted, there are some useful management options that many users may not be taking advantage of. Working smarter with layers means labelling them for a start; this saves you having to scroll up and down the Layers palette, trying to guess where a particular element is stored.
Grouping related layers into sets, and colour-coding them, will help you to further streamline your workflow.
Creating Layer sets:
To quickly create a layer set, click on the chain icon link a group of related layers together. Open the Layers Palette menu and choose New Set From Linked.
Layer sets can be opened for editing purposes and then collapsed to display a single folder icon, saving valuable screen space.
Another way to create a layer set from linked layers is to click the Create a new set icon at the foot of the palette. When you create a new layer, colour-code and label it for easier access.
You can easily remove and reorganise layer sets. Right-click on a set's icon to delete the set while retaining the individual layers.
Quick tip if you are working on a project and you are working in minimised mode, this will help you not to cullter your workspace and helps keep all the layers out of sight, but immediately accessible.
You need to have a good working knowledge of Photoshop's Gradient Tool if you want to be able to make the most of the possibilities and this means you have to be able to master the editing options.
No need to be overwhelmed because this is a fairly easy thing to learn and master, it will just take a little practice.
Begin by selecting the Gradient Tool and then click on the gradient preview located in the options bar. This will open Gradient Editor and you are ready to get to work.
When you have opened Gradient Editor you will see several preset gradients. You can choose from the default Foreground, the Background gradient and even the more complex Chrome gradient.
With some practice you will be able to use the preset gradients to create new ones.
You can edit the preset gradients and design new gradients. Some of the gradients have more color stops than others.
The Foreground to Background gradient has two color stops while the Spectrum gradient has seven color stops.
If you want to modify a gradient you can do so by changing the color stops.
Click on one and choose a new color from the color picker, it's that easy.
You can also click on an image and sample a color for your customized gradient. When you do this you can use the Eyedropper Tool to customize or you may want to add new color stops to a gradient that already exists.
You just click anywhere along the bottom edge of the preview bar and you will be able to add new color stops.
Maybe you want to add different opacity settings so that you can have an image fade from solid to transparent.
This can be done when you use the opacity stops that run along the top of the preview bar. The black opacity stop will be 100% solid while a white opacity stop will tell you that this part of the gradient is 100% transparent.
The gray stops show you the values in between.