Specifying Layer Options - Adobe PHOTOSHOP 5.0 User Manual

Specifying layer options

The layer options let you change a layer's name
and opacity and control how the pixels in the layer
blend with the layers underneath. It's important to
remember that the opacity and blending modes
chosen for a specific layer interact with the opacity
and mode settings for the tools you use to paint
and edit the pixels on the layer.
For example, suppose you are working on a layer
that uses the Dissolve mode and an opacity of
50%. If you paint on this layer using the paint-
brush tool set to Normal mode with an opacity of
100%, the paint will appear in Dissolve mode with
a 50% opacity because this is the maximum the
layer can display.
On the other hand, suppose you are working on a
layer created using Normal mode and 100%
opacity. If you use the eraser tool with an opacity
of 50%, only 50% of the paint will disappear as you
erase. For more information on painting blending
modes, see "Selecting a blending mode" on
page 205.
To choose options for a layer:
1 Do one of the following:
Double-click the layer's name in the Layers
•
palette. (This method does not apply to most
adjustment layers.)
Select the layer in the Layers palette, and choose
•
Layer > Layer Options.
Select the layer in the Layers palette, and choose
•
Layer Options from the palette menu.
If desired, type a new name for the layer.
2
3 To turn off previewing as you choose layer
options, deselect Preview.
4 Click OK.
Specifying opacity
You can change the opacity of each layer using
either the Opacity option in the Layer Options
dialog box or the Opacity slider in the Layers
palette. A layer with 1% opacity appears nearly
transparent, one with 100% opacity completely
opaque.
Zebra layer with 50% opacity
You cannot change the opacity of an image that
has only a background.
To specify opacity for a layer:
Do one of the following:
In the Layers palette, enter a value for Opacity or
•
drag the slider.
In the Layer Options dialog box, enter a value for
•
Opacity.
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User Guide