Photoshop CS Savvy

Working with Type Layers

By default, when you enter type in Photoshop by using the Type tool, a new layer is automatically created. The layer is conveniently named with the text. Type layers are pretty much like any other layer in that they can be edited, transformed, reordered in the stack, and modified by applying styles to them. The thumbnail of a Type layer is identified by a capital T . If you ve entered type and want to edit it, double-click the thumbnail to automatically highlight it, as in Figure 7.28.

Figure 7.28: A capital T identifies a Type layer

Several Photoshop operations cannot be directly applied to Type layers, including color adjustments or filters that affect only pixels. Before a Type layer can be affected by these operations, it must first be rasterized . Rasterization converts the vector information of the type fonts into pixel-based information. After you ve rasterized the type, you can no longer edit it with the Type tool. To rasterize a Type layer, target the layer and choose Layer ’ Rasterize ’ Type.