Preserved Topic: What is the concept of LAYERS in Photoshop?

I can't seem to grasp how to apply it, but mostly what does it do. If anybody would give me an example that would be very appreciated.
Thanks.

Layers ....hmmmmm ......bummer of a subject ........specially if your using 5.5 or less................there's a limit you know .....100 ....bugger....
damn and blast.........experiment with the layer modes ...... overlay is overused...but essential in certain compilations .......difference is cool when used with gradients .............espescialy chrome....I've just squished a fly on my monitor ....does that count?............... I'd suggest experiment with overlay , soft and hard light , and difference ........key word? experiment......you WILL come up with some cool effects .....
imho ....hic ......... <img border=0 align=absmiddle src="http://www.ozones.com/forum/smile.gif">

Yikes! Layers... =[ Ok, I think what you want to know is, a layer in photoshop is just like a layer in anything else, everything on the top layer is what you see on the top, and you can cut pieces out, and see whats on lower layers, like a cake, scrape off the icing, and theres something else yummy bellow it ! (mmmmm, cake).
This might seem a little hard to get used to, but it comes with practice, and experience. Like ram said though, you should experiment with the different layer settings, this will help you uncover cool new effects.

- Dan -

The main purpose of layers is to seperate various aspects of the image. Lay in a background....make a new layer. Add a basic shape, make a new layer. lay in some texture for the shape, set the layer to overlay....make a new layer. Add a button, or whatever, make a new layer....see where I'm going? Each portion of the image gets built up using individual layers. As you go you can merge certain layers together where apropriate...then yuo can manipulate the different layers without effecting the rest of them.

800

Just thought I'd say something...
- People arn't gonna like me for this..
=P

Btw, DL-44's explanation is better then mine. I think he got the purpose of layers right on the dot!

- Dan -

Consider layers like a bunch of transparencies on an overhead projector. You've got the background which is the flat screen of the projector, but then you also have layers of transparencies you can place on top of it. You can put a whole bunch of transparencies down on the projector and the images on all the sheets will combine to make a single image. Don't want to screw up a piece of your image that you worked really hard on? Well then add another layer and do a little more work on that. The real trick comes when you combine different layers with overlapping images. Maybe you want the image on the lower layer to be behind the image on the top layer, or MAYBE you want to blend the two images. Layers are probably the most vital part of Photoshop (IMHO). If what I've said seems too confusing, just go back to the beginning where I compare layers to overlapping transparencies. That's the most basic way to look at them.

DL-44 hit it on the head. Quite simply, layers allow you to manipulate each portion of an image seprately. The more layers you have, tyhe easier it is to control the image.


~Anything with wheels, chips or tits is going to cause you trouble sooner or later~