Layers – Photoshop Basics – Guides at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Think of layers in Photoshop like adding another page. The difference is that the layers are placed over the same position or section, kind of like a stacked pile of papers. But, in using layers, you can change transparency, effects, add text and do numerous other things. The greatest advantage is that you can move the layers anywhere you want on your canvas. In essence, you are creating a canvas with stacked images that can be situated anywhere using various features to achieve the look you want.

Adding a Layer in a Photoshop is actually quite simple. Notice your ‘Layers’ menu to the right. To add a layer, click on the ‘Create a New Layer’ button:

You can add as many layers as you want by clicking this button over and over again. Photoshop will give it the default name such as ‘Layer 1’. To rename the layer, double-click over the name in the layers menu and retitle it. Multiple layers can be used by having several images, with each image on one layer.

Tip: When using layers, it is important to keep them unlocked. In other words, if you want to move your layer around, it cannot have the lock image next to it as seen here in ‘Background’. The ‘Background’ layer is always the original file that serves as the background. To unlock this layer, simply double-click over the name area of ‘Background’. In case you do not want a layer to move, you will want to purposely lock a layer. To do this, select a layer and click on the lock icon next to the ‘Fill’ option in the layers menu.