Online PSLayer basics: new, duplicate, merge and blend modes
Think of layers as a stack of transparent sheets: each holds something different and together they make the picture. Change one and the others stay untouched.
Everyday actions
All in the Layer menu:
- New (shortcut
N): an empty transparent layer, so you can paint without touching the original; - Duplicate (shortcut
D): copies the current layer. Duplicate before editing and you always have a backup; - Show / Hide: temporarily hide a layer to compare before and after;
- Move → Up / Down: change the order; upper layers cover lower ones;
- Rename: give layers names once there are many;
- Delete: remove the current layer.
In the Layers panel on the right you can also click the eye icon to show or hide, drag to reorder and click to select a layer.
Merging
- Merge Down: combines the current layer with the one below it;
- Flatten Image: combines all layers into one.
After merging, the parts can't be edited separately any more, so merge only when you're sure. You don't need to merge before exporting; Export combines all visible layers for you.
Opacity and composition
- Set Opacity in Layer details to make a layer see-through, common for overlays and watermarks;
- "Layer → Composition" chooses a blend mode, e.g. "multiply" makes white disappear and keeps the dark lines, while "screen" does the opposite. Put a texture over a photo and try a few modes to get a feel for them.