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Raster LayersRaster layers in Paint Shop Pro are the easiest to use and understand layer. They are very useful in a lot of different digital editing situations. This is the image we will work on ...  There is nothing wrong with the image but we can have some fun with it anyway. Creating Raster LayersThe background copy layer was created by right clicking the Background and selecting Duplicate or by clicking Layer > Duplicate. The Raster layer (called Raster 1) is created by clicking the New Layer Icon and selecting New Raster Layr or clicking Layers > New Raster Layer.  The layer that is highlighted is the active layer - that means it is the one where adjustments will be done. The active layer is changed simply by clicking on another layer. This is simple, isn't it? Working With A Basic LayerSo lets try out some adjustments on this simple layer. How about a bit of makeup and cloning on this image?
Activate Layer 1, make the foreground color a nice red and paint over the cheeks on the layer (this will add some blush to the cheeks).
Now that looks really weird, doesn't it - kind of like a clown! One of the great things about raster layers is that we have the ability to lower the opacity of the layer and when it is lowered down to about 11% this is the result.  Now that makes a difference, doesn't it? How about some eyeliner? Create a new raster layer and select a nice deep purple color. Now paint her eyelids and lower the opacity of this new layer (this was lowered to 26%).
OK - so I'm not a makeup artist. It's the techniqe that is important, not the artistry of the operator. Moving on - let's do some cloning on a new layer ...Cloning To A Basic LayerWhen cloning there is a checkbox named Use All Layers at the top of the screen. When it is checked it's possible to clone from one layer to another. Working with the same image we will remove some of the small hairs between the eyebrows and lighten up the areas under her eyes.
This is the image after dodging out the dark color below the eyes, burning in the eyelashes and then adding some skin color back in with the clone tool.  Each
one of the areas has its own layer so that adds 2 more layers to the
stack - which is getting quite large - 5 now with the Copy of
Background.Impressive palette, isn't it? Notice that each of the layers is named. This makes it so much easier to find the one that may need a bit of fine tuning. To view the results of each layer simply click on the little eyeball on each layer to turn that layer off - click it again to turn visibility on again. It can be a tad cumbersome to see a true before and after view unless you are really a high speed clicker. To make the before and after view much more simple all you need to do is add a New Layer Group, naming it and then dragging all of the layers that are part of the group into the folder. One last thing to do with this image. This is a trick I learned from a professional photographer for sharpening the eyes ... The EyesJump back down to the Copy of Background layer and:
Turn off the other layers visibility so only the Promoted Layer is visible - it should look something like this ...  It looks kind of freaky, doesn't it? Now go to Adjust > Sharpness > Unsharp Mask, put a checkmark in Preview On Image and then do your favorite sharpening. If you want you can also grab the burn tool and lightly burn in the whites of the eyes and the spectral highlights in the eyeball. Turn on the visibility of all the layers and then turn off and on the eye sharpening layer to confirm you are totally amazed by your work This little eye sharpening exercise on a layer can make an enourmous difference! So here is the final image complete with seven new layers.  Aren't layers great? There were 6 different modifications made to this image without touching one hair on the original image meaning it is still intact! Layers are not only great for doing this kind of image but they can do just about anything that needs modifications. As an example, jump on over to the Simple Layers page for Photoshop elements to see how layers were used to improve this image ...
Always remember ... Layers are our friends! |
What's The Deal
The ability to work with layers will determine ones success with
Paint Shop Pro. |
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