Project #1: Layers & Styles This lesson offers a step-by- step example that will help you master the art of layers. The power and flexibility of Photoshop Elements lies in its layers.

Open Photoshop Elements, select New from the File menu and set up a canvas as below: Step #1: Make sure contents is set to white

Step #2: Check to make sure the layers palette is visible, if not, set up your Layers palette. To open this, click on Window>Layers.

Step #3: Create a new layer. One way is to click on Layer>New Layer. Another way is to click on the More button on the layers palette and select New Layer or choose New layer icon. Name this new layer Back

Save the file into your server folder– save as: Project #1 Layers & Styles Make sure the FORMAT is Photoshop (PSD)

Select a color from your color swatches palette. You will notice that color will now appear as your foreground color. Step #4: Color swatches palette

Step #5: To set that color as your background, click Edit>Fill Layer, and select Foreground color. You will now notice this layer has been filled in with your foreground color

Step #6: Using one of the three methods mentioned earlier, add another NEW layer and call it square. Continue to SAVE your work! Cntrl +S

Step #7: Select the rectangular marquee tool and draw a square on the canvas. Select a new color from your swatches palette. Fill in the color of the square by clicking Edit>Fill.

Step #8: Deselect your square selection before we move on by clicking Select>Deselect.

Step #9: Add a new layer and call it circle. To make a circle, select the elliptical marquee tool and hold down the shift key while you draw your circle shape.

Step #10: Select a new color on your color swatch, draw your circle, fill it with the foreground color and then deselect it just as we did with the square. Don’t forget to SAVE your work!

Step #11: Make a new layer and call it triangle. To make a triangle, select the polygonal lasso tool. Click the mouse each time you want to change direction. Select a new color and fill your triangle. Deselect the triangle

Step #12: Make one more new layer and call it thing. Draw your free-form thing using the lasso tool. Select a new color and fill in your thing.

Now there are 6 separate layers, each with one item. Because they are on separate layers, they can be changed and manipulated, turned off and on, moved up or down in order or even deleted completely.

Step #13: Now, by clicking and dragging, try moving the thing layer so it is below the circle layer. Notice that you now see the thing shape below the triangle and circle shapes on the canvas (but above the square) just how it is represented on the layer palette.

Step #14: Not only can items be moved in their relation to each other on the canvas, but they may also be moved, enlarged, made smaller or tilted. Simply click on the move tool to access the editing handles. To exit the “handles” select a new tool from the toolbar.

Step #15: If you wish to work on one layer at a time without seeing the additional layers, you can turn off any layer by clicking on the illustrated eye to the left of the layers. Turn them back on by clicking them again.

Step #16: If you are sure you want to remove or delete a layer, right click the layer and click Delete, or drag the layer to The trash. Have you SAVED your work lately??

Step #17: Now you will add some layer styles to your shapes. Choose  Window  Styles & Effects use the drop down to select Layers Styles

Step #18: In the layer styles palette, the drop-down menu provides great options like bevels and drop shadows. Remember you need to access each layer separately. In other words, if you want to apply styles to your circle, your circle layer must be active or blue. Choose a different layer style for each object.

Step #19: After you are happy with your picture, add a Text layer. When you choose the text tool it will automatically create a new layer. Your text should say: Created by: First Name, Last Name. You can add a layer style to the text as well. Created by Student Name

Step #20: At this point, you will have 7 layers. You have been saving this project as a photoshop (PSD) file. You will now change it to a jpeg file. To do this, you will need to FLATTEN the layers. Choose Layer  Flatten Image Flattening an image is like using crazy glue with legos. Make sure your project is complete prior to doing this next step because……

Final Step: Save project as JPEG File  Save As  Project #1 layers & styles FINAL (it will ask you the quality level, choose High = 12) You will need to change the file format to JPEG – choose the drop down menu on the save window to do this.