Changing the Stacking Order

To change the stacking order of Layers  simply {Click} and drag the Layer  above or below other Layers.  A solid black line indicates the Layer is ready to be dropped.  {Release} the mouse button.

Duplicating Layers
Use the Options  Triangle and select Duplicate  Layer  to make a copy of the Layer.  You can title the Layer and choose to copy it to the same image, another image you have opened, or create a new image with the contents of the Layer.

Merge Options
Selecting Merge Down from the Options  Triangle merges the contents of the currently active Layer  with the Layer below it.

Selecting Merge Visible from the Options  Triangle merges the all the currently visible Layers .  The bottom Layer  must be visible and the currently active Layer.

Select Layer /Merge Linked to merge Layers  you have linked together using the Link Toggle Box.

Select Flatten Image from the Options  Triangle to merge all Layers .  This removes all the flexibility you have with Layers.

Color-coding Layers
Photoshop  6 has made managing Layers  much easier by allowing the user to color-code them in the Layers Palette .  Select Layer  Properties from the Options  Triangle, select a color from the drop down menu and {Click} OK.

The “Priests” Layer  color-coded

Layer  Sets
Photoshop  6 also allows the user to group similar content into what are known as Layer  Sets .  Layer Sets are easier to understand if you think of them as folders and the individual Layers  as papers inside the folders.  Create a Layer Set by clicking on the New Layer  Set button at the bottom of the Layer’s Palette.

A new set added called “Set 1”

The new Set, which is named “Set 1” by default, is added one below your currently selected Layer .   Rename the Set by {Double-Clicking} on it and inputting a name in the dialog box that appears.  You can also give the Set a color if you wish.  It is important to remember that the color settings for your Sets override any individual color settings you have given individual Layers . 

To place a Layer  in a Set you {Click} and drag it onto the Set’s Folder Icon.  You need to place it directly on the Icon or the move won’t take place.  A successfully relocated Layer will appear below the Set and its Thumbnail will be slightly indented.   Sets can be minimized and maximized by {Clicking} on the small gray rectangle beside the Set’s name.

A color-coded Set renamed “Shrine Set” in the Layers  Palette

“Shrine Set” expanded

Exercises

1. Open layersexercise.psd from the chapter005 folder.  A composite layout for a mock-up website will open in the workspace.
   
   

2. Examine the Layers  in the Layers Palette .  Toggle visibility on and off and watch the effects in the Image Window .  Take note that we have a variety of different types of Layers.  Our main aim for this exercise is to organize these Layers into color-coded sets.
   
   

3. Create four new Layer  Sets  by {Clicking} on the New Layer  Set button at the bottom of the Layer Palette .  Rename them as “Photos,” “Text,” “Design Elements,” and “Navigation Elements”.  Color-code each set differently.
   
   

4. If you place the “Text” set folder at the top of the Palette listing and then follow it with “Navigation Elements,” “Photos” and “Design Elements” respectively you should be able to organize all content and still maintain its stacking order. 
   
   

5. Select the various Layers  to check their content and place them, logically, in the various folders.  Refer to layersfinished.psd to see one way in which the Layers content can be organized. 
   
   

6. Select the Text Layer  for the “Kyushu – Miyamoto” banner and add a Drop Shadow  to it by {Clicking} on the Layers  Style  Button  at the bottom of the Palette.  Do the same to the “Nav Backdrop” shape in the “Navigation Elements” folder.
   
   

7. Link the five navigation buttons together (Famous Gardens, etc…) using the Link Toggle in the Layers  Palette .  Use the Move Tool  to reposition them so they are situated in the top-left half of the gray navigation bar.  Refer to layersfinished.psd for exact positioning.
   
   

8. The “duotone” photograph in the “Photos” folder drowns out the map of Japan that has been placed on top of it.  Decrease the opacity of the “duotone” Layer  by moving the Opacity  Slider at the top of the Layers  Palette  to 15.  You should now be able to see the map of Japan clearly.