The layers in computers can be defined as sheets of acetate stacked one on top of the other. When we open an image in Photoshop it automatically gets placed in layer as per the mode it has been saved. The places where the layer is transparent/no image is theme, we can see through to the layers below. A new image in Photoshop or Image ready has a Single Layer. This base layer is called as the “background layer” The position of the background layer cannot be changed in the stacking order as it is always at the bottom of the stacking order.

Photoshop supports adjustments and fill layers. We can apply sophisticated layer using masks, layer clipping paths, layer styles. In Image ready, we can also use layers to create rollover states and animations.

When a layered image is transferred between Photoshop and Image Ready, all layers, layer masks, layer clipping paths, layer styles, and adjustment layers are preserved. Although adjustment layers and fill layers can be applied and edited only in Photoshop, they can be viewed in Image Ready.

Photoshop also gives us a facility to properly arrange & manage our contiguous layers in folders called the layer sets. Layer sets function like layers; we can view, select, duplicate, move, or change the stacking order of layers to a layer set, simply dragging a layer to the specific position can do it.

To create a new layer, click the New Layer button in the palette.

Creating Layer Sets

• Layer sets help in easily moving the layers as a group, apply attributes or a mask to the group, or collapse the group to reduce clutter and we can set up blending options for the entire set rather than creating it for individual layers.
• All of the layers in the layer set are composited first. The composited layer set is then treated as a single image, and blending with the rest of the Image using the selected blending mode. Thus, if we choose a blending mode other than Pass though for layer set, none of the adjustment or layer-blending modes inside the layer set will apply to layers outside the set.

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