Photoshop Elements >
Layers >
Layer Groups & Clipping Masks
Grouped—Not
Linked Layers
Grouping layers is not the same as linking layers.
When you link layers together, they can do three things simultaneously.
1) Linked layers can be moved as a group in the Layers panel (Layers palette).
2) You can reposition the contents of linked layers simultaneously
with the Move tool.
3) You can use the rotate and the various transform commands simultaneously
on the contents of linked layers.
Go to
Transform.
Two Uses for Grouped Layers
There are two uses for grouped layers.
Use #1 - Limit the Effect
Of an Adjustment Layer
You can limit the effect of an adjustment layer to one layer.
An adjustment layer affects all of the layers below.
Let's say there's a Levels adjustment layer.
And, there are three layers below it: Layer X, Layer Y, and Layer
Z.
The Levels adjustment layer is affecting Layers X, Y, and Z.
By grouping the Levels adjustment layer with Layer X, the affect
of the adjustment layer is confined to Layer X.
Layers Y and Z are no longer affected by the Levels adjustment
layer.
Use #2 - Use a Layer
As a Clipping Mask
You can use a layer as a clipping mask.
The clipping mask layer masks the layers above and below.
What's masked depends on the transparent and non-transparent
pixels in the clipping mask layer.
Let's look at each of the above uses in detail.
An Adjustment Layer Effect
Let's say you're retouching a portrait.
You have a layer, Hair, which contains a selection of the hair
of the person in the portrait.
Above the Hair layer, you created a Levels adjustment layer.
You used the Levels adjustment layer to increase the contrast
of the hair.
However, the increase in contrast is seen everywhere on the portrait,
not just the hair.
Because the Background copy layer is also below the Levels adjustment
layer, the contrast is increased on the Background copy layer.
No Grouping
If you group the Levels adjustment layer with the Hair layer, the increase in contrast from the Levels adjustment layer
is confined to the Hair layer only.
The Background copy layer is not affected.
With Grouping
Here are the two versions of the photograph.
In the photograph below, the increase in contrast is visible
everywhere.
No Grouping
You can see how the face, above, has more contrast due to the
effect of the Levels adjustment layer.
With Grouping
By grouping the Levels adjustment layer and the Hair layer, the
increase in contrast now affects only the Hair layer.
How to Group
& Ungroup Layers
If you haven't already done so, go to
Grouping.
Use #2 - Clipping Mask
Let's say you've got two layers.
You place a clipping mask layer between the two layers, and then
create a clipping group.
Now, what you see on your screen is parts of both layers.
Think of the clipping mask layer as being two containers.
Container #1, the transparent pixels, is full of the layer
below.
The transparent pixels in the clipping mask layer reveal the
layer below.
Container #2, the non-transparent pixels, is full of the layer
above.
The non-transparent pixels in the clipping mask layer reveal
the layer above.
Don't try to understand how a clipping mask layer works by using
your understanding of masks.
White reveals; black blocks.
The above statement applies to masks, but not to clipping masks.
So, the clipping mask layer must have both transparent and non-transparent
pixels.
Transparent pixels are denoted by the checkerboard pattern in
a layer thumbnail.
There are five ways you can add non-transparent pixels to the
clipping mask layer.
Example: Dust & Scratches Brush
You can use clipping masks to paint with specialized brushes.
For example, you can paint away dust and scartches.
Go to Dust & Scratches Brush.
Adding Non-transparent Pixels
1 - Paint a Mask
1) Select Layer 1 (on the bottom).
2) Create a blank layer.
The new layer should be between the other two layers.
This layer is the clipping mask layer.
3) Group Layer 3 (on top) and the new layer, Layer 2 (in the
middle).
4) Use the Brush tool, with any color, to paint a mask on Layer
2.
The transparent pixels in Layer 2 reveal some of the red pixels
in Layer 3.
The non-transparent pixels in Layer 2 reveal some of the green
pixels in Layer 3.
For an example of painting a mask, go to
Sharpening
the Eyes Only.
2 - Create a Shape
1) Select Layer 1 (on the bottom).
2) Create a blank layer.
The new layer should be between the other two layers.
This layer is the clipping mask layer.
3) Group Layer 3 (on top) and the new layer, Layer 2 (in the
middle).
4) Select Layer 2 (in the middle).
5) Press Alt + Backspace (or Delete) to fill Layer 2 with the foreground
color.
5) Use the Cookie Cutter tool to click and drag a shape on Layer
2.
The transparent pixels in Layer 2 reveal some of the red pixels
in Layer 3.
The non-transparent pixels in Layer 2 reveal some of the green
pixels in Layer 3.
3 - Make a Selection
1) Make a selection on Layer 1 (on the bottom).
2) Go to Layer > New > Layer via Copy, or press Ctrl + j.
The new layer should be between the other two layers.
This layer is the clipping mask layer.
3) Group Layer 3 (on top) and the new layer, Layer 2 (in the
middle).
The transparent pixels in Layer 2 reveal some of the red pixels
in Layer 3.
The non-transparent pixels in Layer 2 reveal some of the green
pixels in Layer 3.
4 - Use a Pattern or Gradient
The pattern or the gradient must have areas of transparent pixels
(checkerboard pattern).
For example—use a Foreground to Transparent gradient—not a Foreground
to Background gradient.
1) Select Layer 1 (on the bottom).
2) Create a blank layer.
The new layer should be between the other two layers.
This layer is the clipping mask layer.
3) Group Layer 3 (on top) and the new layer, Layer 2 (in the
middle).
4) Select Layer 2 (in the middle).
5) Use the Gradient tool, with the Foreground to Transparent
gradient, to click and drag a gradient on Layer 2.
The transparent pixels in Layer 2 reveal some of the red pixels
in Layer 3.
The non-transparent pixels in Layer 2 reveal some of the green
pixels in Layer 3.
5 - Make a Type Layer
1) Deselect the eye icon for Layer 3 (on top.
2) Select Layer 1 (on the bottom).
3) Select the Type tool.
a) In the options bar, choose a font with wide letters, and select
a large font size.
b) Click on Layer 1, and enter the text.
c) Click the black checkmark in the options bar on the right.
4) Select the eye icon for Layer 3 (on top).
5) Group Layer 3 (on top) and the new layer, TYPE (in the middle).
The TYPE layer is the clipping mask layer.
The transparent pixels in the TYPE layer reveal some of the red
pixels in Layer 3.
The non-transparent pixels in the TYPE layer reveal some of the
green pixels in Layer 3.
Here's an example with a photograph.
1) Deselect the eye icon for the Background copy layer (on top).
2) Click the Background layer (on the bottom).
3) Select the Type tool.
a) In the options bar, choose a font with wide letters, and select
a large font size.
b) With the Background layer still selected, click on the image,
and enter the text.
c) Click the black checkmark in the options bar on the right.
4) Select the eye icon for the Background copy layer (on top.
5) Group the Background copy layer (on top) and the type layer,
Winter Hikes (in the middle).
6) Deselect the eye icon for the Background layer (on the bottom).
5) Merge the Background copy layer (on top) and the Winter Hikes
layer (in the middle) by going to Layer > Merge Visible.
The Winter Hikes layer can now be moved to another photograph.
