Photoshop® CS3 Layers Bible

Chapter 14. Designing with Layers

In previous chapters, you looked mostly at the technical side of layers in Photoshop. In this chapter—along with the two following chapters—you're going to look at the practical side. Within this chapter are four example scenarios that might confront you as a designer. You work through these scenarios using Photoshop's layers in different ways, and learn how layers can help you with the design process.

This chapter covers the following:

• Tweaking photos from a design perspective. You use adjustment layers and layer masks to prepare a photo for a design layout.

• Creating a Web site layout. A lot of ground is covered here, from shape layers through to slicing the layout for export, as well as a foray into grid-based design.

• Creating a montage. You look at integrating several photos into a single image using layer masks and blending modes.

• Putting together a mixed-media illustration. Have you ever wanted to integrate hand-drawn elements into a design within Photoshop? You learn how, using layer techniques extensively as you go.

Instead of concentrating on the theory behind layers, layer masks, and blending modes, you'll investigate how to apply these tools to the practical, everyday situations just outlined. What do you do if the photos you're given for a job are washed out? How do you create a Web site design? How can you add your own drawings to a photo? How do you blend photos together? These questions are answered in detail, with cross-references to the ...