Layers are possibly one of the most important parts of a graphics program. This tutorial intends to teach you the basics of using layers. A layer is simply putting something on top of something else, as the name might suggest. Your layer Palette will look something like this: Screenshot 1 If you can't find it press F7 (this hides/unhides the layer palette)

Ok now its time to start working with layers.

1. Make a new image (File>>New) or ctrl+N Set your own size requirements, I am going to make my image 400x100 pixels I am also going to use a transparent background to start with. You can choose this from the Contents part in the dialogue box.

2. Fill your image with a colour or gradient, this will provide the background for your image.

3. Make a new layer. Look at area H on the screenshot, press that icon to make a new layer. OR press ctrl+shift+n Hit enter

4. I am now going to add a few lines or shapes to my image, using the marquee tools. You can now fade this shape or line into the background. Click on the arrow next to area B, you can now reduce the opacity and the lower it goes, the less of the shape you will see. Try making it 50% Screenshot 1

5. Now if we wanted more of what we had previously created, Right click area F and go to "duplicate layer" Press enter. This will now copy what was on the previous layer and onto a new one. You can move it by using the mover tool.

6. You can also change how the layer blends into the previous by experimenting with the layer modes. Look at area A You will see this is set to normal. Try clicking the arrow and setting it to Overlay or Difference, to see the effects you can achieve. This can work well when working with photos.

7. Now make another new layer. Refer to step 3

8. Here you should now create some kind of other effect, maybe another shape? But lets see how it looks without the previous layer behind it. Look at area E and click the eye, and that layer will dissapear, you can bring it back by clicking on it again.

9. You can prevent a layer being edited anymore by pressing the lock icon which is area D

10. Now add some text, this adds it's own kind of layer known as a text layer. Type your text. Look at area C, this is similar to the opacity feature, where you can reduce the fill colour of your text e.g If my text was all red, the fill colour is red. Try reducing this.

11. Now click on the icon near area G, and go to Blending options, here there is a whole host of options, not all explained in this tutorial. Click on the stroke part. My advice would be to experiment here. Notice familar things such as opacity and a blending mode. Screenshot 2

12. If we wanted to delete a layer, click on the icon next to area I

13. Layers can be moved up and down by simply dragging them on top of each other. Thats about it for the basics, there are other things you may of seen that you could try out too :cool: