|
|
|
|
|
Changing Layer Characteristics
Setting Layer Opacity
You can adjust a layer's opacity to create different levels of transparency. The opacity slider covers a range of 0% (completely transparent) to 100% (completely opaque).
To change a layer's opacity
- Move the Opacity slider.
- Type a percentage in the Opacity box and press Return (Mac OS) or Enter (Windows).
The top example shows the background layers at 100% opacity. The bottom example shows them at 50% opacity.
Blending Layers Using Composite Methods
A layer's composite method controls how it interacts with the underlying image. You can change composite methods to create special effects without changing the actual images that make up a document.
Corel Painter provides two types of composite settings:
- Composite Method sets the standard composite method.
- Composite Depth controls how a layer's image data interacts with depth information on the canvas and other layers.
For example, if the canvas contains Impasto brush strokes, the Composite Depth setting determines what happens when these brush strokes intersect with brush strokes on the layer.
Refer to "Blending Impasto with Other Layers" for more information about Composite Depth options.
You can set a different composite method for every layer in a document. Keep in mind the role of the underlying image in creating an effect-you might achieve an unexpected result if the underlying image is solid black or white.
The best way to understand the different composite methods is by seeing them in action. Quickly cycle through a layer's composite methods to create new and interesting versions of your image.
The available composite methods are:
Default
In the Default method, the layer covers (hides) the underlying image.
Gel
The Gel method tints the underlying image with the layer's color. For example, a yellow layer gives the underlying image a yellow cast.
Corel Painter automatically sets a layer's composite method to Gel if you paint on it with a brush that uses the Buildup method.
Colorize
The Colorize method replaces the hue and saturation of the canvas pixels with the hue and saturation of the layer pixels.
You can use this feature to convert a color image to grayscale, or a grayscale image to color. A black layer turns the underlying color image into a grayscale image. A colored layer adds color to an underlying grayscale image.
Reverse-Out
In the Reverse-Out method, the layer inverts the colors beneath it. Reverse-Out is a great way to remove text. Place a layer over black text to turn it white.
A color's inverse, also known as its complementary color, is the color on the opposite side of the color wheel.
With Reverse-Out, the colors in the layer are ignored; the layer content becomes transparent and reveals the inverse of the colors beneath it.
Shadow Map
Shadow Map blocks light, letting you create shadows without changing the image.
Magic Combine
In the Magic Combine method, the layer is combined with the underlying image based on luminance. The parts of the layer that are lighter than the underlying image are visible. The parts that are darker are replaced by the lighter area of the underlying image.
One way to use this method is to fill text. With a photograph as the top layer and black text as the underlying image, choosing Magic Combine fills the text with the image.
Pseudocolor
The Pseudocolor method translates the layer's luminance into hue. You can use this method to turn a grayscale layer into a spectrum of color.
Normal
The Normal method works like the Default method; the layer covers the underlying image. The Normal method is the default mode in Photoshop.
Dissolve
Dissolve combines the image color with the layer color based on opacity.
Multiply
Multiply combines colors to create a darker color.
Screen
Screen combines colors to create a lighter color.
Overlay
Overlay combines colors while preserving the highlights and shadows of the image color.
Soft Light
Soft Light darkens or lightens colors depending on the luminance of the layer color.
Hard Light
Hard Light multiplies or screens colors, depending on the luminance of the layer color.
Darken
Darken takes the darker of the image and the layer color and uses that color.
Lighten
Lighten takes the lighter of the image or layer color and uses that color.
Difference
Difference subtracts one color from the other, depending on which color has a greater brightness value.
Hue
Hue creates a color by combining the luminance and saturation of the image color with the hue of the layer color.
Saturation
Saturation creates a color by combining the luminance and hue of the image color with the saturation of the layer color.
Color
Color creates a new color by combining the luminance of the image color with the hue and saturation of the layer color.
Luminosity
Luminosity creates a new color from the hue and saturation of the image color and the luminance of the layer color. This is the opposite of Color.
GelCover
The GelCover method uses a combination of the Default method and the Gel method. The edges of the layer's content tint the underlying image with their color (the Gel method). The rest of the layer covers the underlying image (Default method).
To change a layer's composite method
- Select a layer.
- On the Layers palette, choose a composite method from the Composite Method pop-up menu.
Other Layer Options
The Layer Attributes dialog box contains options for setting different layer attributes. You can change a layer's name, adjust its position, specify image map information, and record notes.
"Naming Layers" gives instructions for how to change a layer's name.
"Moving Layers" gives instructions for moving a layer to a specific location.
An image map is a Web feature that lets you assign a URL to a layer. When the file is saved to JPEG or GIF format, the user can link to the URL by clicking the image-mapped region of the file.
For more information about creating image maps, refer to "Client-Side Image Mapping".
To record notes for a layer
- Click the palette menu arrow on the Layers palette, and choose Layer Attributes.
- For pixel-based layers and reference layers, double-click the item on the Layers palette, or select an item and press Return (Mac OS) or Enter (Windows).
- Choose Layers menu > Layer Attributes.
|
|
|
|