Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Duplicating Layers
When you need to duplicate a layer, you have a few choices. You
can choose Layer > Duplicate Layer or right-click (Ctrl-click) the
layer's name in the Layers panel and choose Duplicate Layer.
Another method is to drag one layer onto the Create new layer
icon at the bottom of the Layers panel. My favorite method is to
press Command+J (Ctrl+J)—think
jump
—to create a copy of a layer
immediately above itself.
Tip
Jump It Up
Press Command+J (Ctrl+J) to
duplicate (or “jump”) the current
layer to a copy above. With a selec-
tion made, it will “jump” only the
selection and create a copy above.
Adding the Shift key to the Jump
command will cut the selection and
place it on its own layer above its
previous position.
Deleting Layers
If you decide you don't need a layer, you can throw it away. This
reduces the size of your file, which means it'll take up less disk
space and require less memory to work with. To throw away
layers, drag them into the trash icon at the bottom of the Lay-
ers panel. You can also right-click (Ctrl-click) a layer's name and
choose Delete Layer to throw it away or choose Layer > Delete >
Layer. If you are in a hurry, you don't have to throw away layers
one at a time. Just Command-click (Ctrl-click) on multiple layers,
and then delete the layers using one of the previously mentioned
methods.
NoTe
Delete Can Delete
In Photoshop CS6, you can select a layer in the Layers panel and press
the Delete key to remove it. Be careful because this can easily happen
by accident.
Adjustment Layers
While clicking through your Layers menu, you likely noticed
Adjustment Layers (like Levels or Hue/Saturation). These impor-
tant layers are for image enhancement and color correction. They
offer a nondestructive way to fix image problems. These special
layers can contain one of 15 image manipulations. Unlike nor-
mal image adjustments, these can be enabled or disabled as well
as modified with no loss in image quality. For now, be patient—
you'll tackle these in depth in Chapter 10, “Color Correction and
Enhancement.”
