The Adobe Photoshop CS4 Layers Book

MasterPhotoshop CS4 with this visual, hands-on guide to using layers, under the expert guidance of digital imaging specialist Richard Lynch. Layers, Photoshop's most powerful feature, is the core of a nondestructive image-editing workflow.

Step-by-step instructions and practical examples illustrate how to.

* Polish: correct and enhance color, fix composition problems, and repair damage or flaws
* Manipulate: isolate image areas for changes, adjustments and experimental concepts
* Understand: use all forms of layer blending, including transparency, clipping masks, opacity/fill, layer masks, layer modes, channel targeting, Blend If, and Effects/Styles

The accompanying DVD comes complete with a generous library of practical actions based on techniques from the book that add functional power to Photoshop, along with practice images for all the exercises in the book.

This focused, highly accurate, comprehensive, and practical guide offers invaluable advice for all users of Adobe Photoshop CS4.

Introduction

Chapter 1 - The Basics of Layers: Layer Functions and Creation

Chapter 2 - Layer Management: Concepts of a Layer-Based Work Flow

Chapter 3 - Object and Image Area Isolation in Layers

Chapter 4 - Masking: Enhanced Area Isolation

Chapter 5 - Applying Layer Effects

Chapter 6 - Exploring Layer Modes

Chapter 7 - Advanced Blending with Blend If

Chapter 8 - Breaking Out Components

Chapter 9 - Taking an Image through the Process

Chapter 10 - Making a Layered Collage or Composite Image

Photoshop's Essential Tool List

Index