How To Use Adobe Photoshop CS2

2017-07-07 02:10:07

So far, you've seen that you can link layers to move them as one and can clip layers to create a masking effect. This task explains how to create groups of layers that can be activated, hidden, or copied as a single unit. The layer groups feature, introduced in Photoshop 6 (and known as layer sets in past versions), has been a godsend, especially for interface designers who can finally organize the dozens of layers necessary to build a website.

1. Open the File

Select File, Open or click the Go to Bridge button on the Options bar and select the image file you want to modify.

2. Display the Layers Palette

Select Window, Layers to display the Layers palette. Using what you've learned in the preceding tasks, create the desired layers for the group.

3. Select the Layers for the Group

Hold down the Ctrl key (Windows) or the key (Mac) and click each of the layers you want to include in a group (or set). As you select each new layer, it is highlighted. Here I've selected just the type layers.

4. Group the Selected Layers

Select Layer, Group Layers to create a new layer group from the selected layers. A Group 1 layer appears in the Layers palette with a folder icon and an arrow that allows you to collapse or expand the list of layers that appear within the new group "folder." Double-click the Group 1 title to rename the group folder (to help organize the groups).

5. Add Layers to the Layer Group

To add more layers to the group, first click the arrow next to the folder icon to expand the group. Drag the layer into place in the group folder. The line separating the layers darkens to show where the layer will be placed. Here I'm dragging the White Lines layer to the top of the Text Layers group. To insert an entirely new layer, you can highlight the group folder (or any layer within a group) and select Layer, New, Layer from the menu bar or select New Layer from the Layers palette menu.

6. Create Nested Layer Groups

Photoshop CS2 provides the ability to nest layer groups within other layer groups. Any layer group can be dragged into any other layer group folder to nest it. Drag and drop other layers into the group folders to organize information as desired. Here I made a new group for the remaining design elements for this image and then dragged the Text Layers group into the Design Elements group to nest them.

How-To Hints

Adding the Background Layer to a Group

The Background layer must be converted to a standard layer before it can be added to a layer group. To convert the Background layer, double-click it in the Layers palette, name it in the dialog box that appearsor accept the default Layer 0 nameand click OK.

Links, Clipping Masks, and Groups

The differences between layer links, clipping masks, and layer groups can be classified as repositioning, masking, and unification. Linking layers enables you to reposition a series of layers as one unit, and clipping masks enable you to use the transparent areas of the lower layer as a mask for the upper layers. Layer groups unify multiple layers as a single unit that can be activated, hidden, or duplicated as one.