Layers

1) Layers are used for working on separate parts of an image. They allow you to apply different effects, blend, paint, and do many other tasks without effecting everything in the image. The layers palette is shown in the image above.

2) In order to see how layers work go ahead and make a selection. Then select the "Copy" command from the "Edit" menu.

3) Next go to the layers palette and click on the "New Layer" button.

4) Now you should see two layers in the layer palette. Click on the grey and white checkerboard box on the newly created layer.

5) Now go to the "Edit" menu and select "Paste." This should have placed your copied selection in the new layer. You can see the dog's head appears in the checkerboard area.

6) Now we will see how layers work. Click the little eyeball next to the "background" layer. This will turn off the layer. The clicking the eyeball next to each layer allows you to turn a layer on or off.

7) You now can edit just one part of the image if you like without effecting the other part or "layer." One last tip: You must make sure that you have selected the layer that you want to edit; just click on it in the layers menu.