Layer Editor

The Layers pane is used to add effects and shapes to photos in layers, perform photo manipulations, create composite images, and much more. Layers allow work to be performed on a single element of an image without disturbing other layers. Layer attributes such as transparency and opacity are adjustable, and when layers are stacked, the desired level of visibility can be achieved in a non-destructive arrangement.

Layers can also be hidden or employed in conjunction with image effects and adjustment tools, drawing tools, text, and more. Effects and adjustments are applied to the layer selected in the Layers pane. For better visibility of difficult elements, create a blank image and layer the transparencies or elements of a similar color range on top of the blank.

Geometry adjustments are applied only to the selected layer.

Watermarks can be added to new layers.

To open the Layers pane:

  1. With an image open, select Window | Layers from the main menu.
  2. In the Layers pane, the opened image is represented as "Layer 1".
  3. Either edit the original photo, or add additional layers containing other photos or drawing elements, such as shapes.
  4. Optionally, create a mask to hide or reveal portions of the layers below.

 

Adding Layers

To add a layer:

  1. Do one of the following:

  • Click the Add blank layer button at the bottom of the Layers pane.

  • Select Layer | New Blank Layer from the main menu.

  1. Edit a layer by first selecting the layer in the Layers pane.

To add another image to the Layers pane:

Do one of the following:

  • Click the Add a File as a Layer button at the bottom of the Layers pane.
  • Select Layer | Add a File as a Layer... from the main menu.
  • Select an image thumbnail from the Filmstrip and drag it into the Layers pane.
  • Right-click an image thumbnail from the Filmstrip and select Add Image as a New Layer from the context menu.

Layer Visibility

To set layer visibility:

To show or hide all layers, do one of the following:

  • Select Layer | Show All Layers from the main menu, or press Shift + J.
  • Select Layer | Hide All Layers from the main menu, or press Ctrl + Shift + Y.

To show or hide individual layers, select the layer and click the Show/Hide Layer button.

Show Layer

Hide Layer

Layer Manipulation

To delete a layer:

Select the layer and click the Delete Layer button.

To duplicate a layer:

Select the layer to be duplicated and click the Duplicate button.

To move a layer:

In the Layers pane, select the layer and drag it up or down.

To name a layer:

  1. To rename a layer from "Layer 1", etc, select the layer and right-click.
  2. Select Rename Layer from the context menu.
  3. In the Rename Layer dialog, enter a layer name.
  4. Click OK.

Layer Merge and Flatten

To merge a layer:

Merge a layer with the layer below.

  1. Select the top layer, or a layer above another.
  2. Click the Merge Layer Down button.

To flatten an image:

To merge all layers into a single image, do the following:

  • Select Layer | Flatten Image from the main menu.

Layer Blend Mode and Opacity

To change a layer's Blend Mode and Opacity:

Blend modes determine how the layers blend together. Blending is assigned to the layer it is applied to, regardless of the layer order being changed. Opacity determines the layer's transparency.

 

 

  1. Select a layer.
  2. Select a Blend Mode from the drop-down menu at the top of the Layers pane.
  3. Move the Opacity slider at the top of the Layers pane.

Saving Layered Images

When saving a layered image, the Save Image As dialog opens with the file format set to .gsd by default. By saving in the .gsd file format, layers will remain accessible if re-opening the image in Gemstone in the future.

The .gsd file format will not be displayed in the Save Image As dialog by default if the image has been flattened or all layers merged.

The .gsd file format saves in 8 bits per channel by default for all bit depth images. Save in 16 bits per channel for images that already have 16 bits per channel data, such as RAW files, 64-bit TIFF files, etc. This will allow for a higher quality image, but will also create a larger file size. To save in 16 bit, enable the 16 bit per channel data checkbox in the Save Image As dialog box. When using the 16-bit option to save images that have lower than 16 bits per channel data, the image will be saved as 8 bits per channel.

 

To add a layer mask, see Layer Masks.

See also: