Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
9
Using Blending
Modes
Blending modes are both a mystery and a source
of great design power. Each blending mode
controls how one layer's pixels are affected by
those in another layer (or by a tool from the
Tool s pa nel ) . Most u ser s g ive up on blend i ng
modes because the technical definitions of each
mode get very tricky. The secret is to not worry
too much about the technical issues and to learn
how to experiment. Although you'll explore the
technology and the creativity behind blending
modes in this chapter, there are only a few basics
that you must know to make blending modes
part of your design toolbox.
There are 27 different blending options avail-
able from the Layers panel and a few additional
blending options that work with specific tools.
How do they work? The simple answer is, it
depends. Your response is likely, depends on
what? Simply put, the effect achieved by blend-
ing two layers varies with the contents of those
two layers. A blending mode compares the
content of two layers and enacts changes based
on the content of both layers. You'll find blend-
ing modes in many of the tools, and they can be
combined with every filter.
