This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Creating Fill Layers
Fill layers are special layers for solid colors, gradients, and patterns. The opacity and Blending modes can be applied to a Fill layer, but this type of a layer does not affect images on any of the layers below them in the stacking order. When you create Fill layers, they are automatically named based on their type. For example, if you create a solid color Fill layer, it is named Fill Color 1. If you create a second Fill layer, it will be called Fill Color 2. Fill layers are often used as background layers.
- Open a photo or new document in the Photo Editor.
- Click the Expert mode.
- Click the layer that you want the new Fill layer to be above.
Click the Create New Fill or Adjustment Layer button.
From the menu choose Solid Color. The first three menus create Fill layers.
- Solid—Creates a Fill layer with a solid color fill.
- Gradient—Creates a Fill layer with a gradient color fill.
- Pattern—Creates a Fill layer with a pattern fill.
In the Color Picker, choose a color and click OK. The Fill Layer is created above the active layer.
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Creating a Gradient Fill Layer
Anther type of Fill layer that can be created is a Gradient Fill layer. This layer uses a gradient color as the fill.
- Open a photo or new document in the Photo Editor.
- Click the Expert mode.
- Click the layer that you want the new Fill layer to be above.
- Click the Create New Fill or Adjustment Layer button.
From the menu choose Gradient color.
In the Gradient Fill window, click the triangle to the right of the Gradient menu.
- Click to choose a Preset Gradient type from the Gradient pop-out menu.
- Click to choose a gradient swatch.
- Click the Style menu and choose a gradient style.
Click and drag the Angle Indicator line to adjust the gradient flow angle. You can also click in the Angle field and type a number between 1–360.
- Click in the Scale box and type a number between 1–100. You can also click the triangle and choose a preset number from the menu.
- Click the Reverse option to reverse the gradient flow of colors.
- Click the Dither option to add dithering to the gradient.
- Click the Align with Layer option to deselect this option. This option is selected by default and aligns the gradient to the layer’s bounding box.
Click OK to close the window and create the Gradient Fill layer.
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Creating a Pattern Fill Layer
You can also create a Pattern Fill layer. The Photo Editor has many patterns that you can choose from.
- Open a photo or new document in the Photo Editor.
- Click the Expert mode.
- Click the layer that you want the new Fill layer to be above.
- Click the Create New Fill or Adjustment Layer button.
From the menu choose Pattern color.
- In the Pattern Fill window, click the Pattern menu.
- Click the Preset Patterns menu and choose a Preset Pattern type.
- Click a pattern swatch.
- Click the Scale box and type a number between 1–1000. You can also click the triangle to choose a preset scale percentage.
- If you want the pattern to not be linked with the layer, click the Link with Layer option to deselect it. This option is on by default and forces the pattern to move with the layer.
- Click the Create a New Preset from this Pattern option to include your choices for the pattern in the Custom Preset menu.
- Click the Snap to Origin button to reset the pattern position.
Click OK to create the Pattern Fill layer and close the window.
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