Pixlr Editor/Menus/Layer

LAYERS
- enable you combine multiple images by putting each image in a specific layer and then merging the layers into one layer. You also use layers to copy a portion or all of your image to a separate layer. Then you can make changes to the copy preserving your original in a separate layer. Below shows the parts of the main menu and window dealing with layers. When you open an image, it will always have a “Background” layer as shown in the “Layers” window below.

New layer – gives you a blank layer. You can write, draw, and otherwise change this layer without changing the Background layer underneath it. The new layer appears as Layer 1 in the Layers window above. Note the Paper icon with the corner turned up will also allow you to add a new layer.

Duplicate layer – gives you a copy of the selected layer. The selected area is highlighted in blue as shown above. To select a different layer, click on the layer bar in the Layers window as shown above.

Delete layer – deletes the selected layer. (You cannot delete the Background layer. The padlock to the right indicates the layer is locked which limits what you can do with it.) Note the trashcan icon in the Layers window will also delete the active image.

Open image as layer – enables you to combine images from your computer. Selecting Open image as a layer brings up the Windows Open window from which you select a photo to add to your Pixlr workspace.

Open URL as layer – enables you to combine images from the Internet. Selecting Open URL brings up the Open image URL window where you copy in a URL. See pages ??? for more details.

Open from library as layer – enables you to combine images from files saved in Pixlr. Selecting Open URL brings up the Image library window if you have signed into your Pixlr account otherwise it brings up the Login window.

Merge down – combines two layers into one. The layer on top will cover the layer below.

Merge visible – combines all layers that are visible, i.e. have the visible check mark or padlock showing to the right in Layers window. Layers that do not have the check mark will not be merged.

Flatten image – combines all layers visible or not. The result is a single layer.

Move layer up – allows you to rearrange your layers by moving the selected layer above the layer on top of it. This will not work with the Background layer since it is locked.

Move layer down – allows you to rearrange your layers by moving the selected layer beneath the layer below it. This will not work with the Background layer since it is locked.

Layer styles – give you access to Drop shadow, Inner shadow, Bevel, Outer glow, Inner glow effects upon the objects in the layer. Rastersize layer – converts a text layer into an image layer, i.e. the content is made up of pixels. Text layers cannot be edited same way as image layers. Rastersizing the layer allows the layer to be treated the same as an image layer but you lose text editing and formatting capabilities.

Add layer mask – Masks allow you to make changes to a portion of a layer that you have modified. Here is how you add and use masks. 1. Add a duplicate layer. 2. Make changes to the layer. For example, change the saturation and brightness of an image. The whole image will be affected but I focused on the area I wished to improve. 3. Select “Add Layer Mask”. Note the image now appears unchanged. 4. Select the Brush tool with the color set to black. Adjust the brush to the settings you wish, i.e., opacity, size, type, etc. 5. Brush over the areas of the image you wish to change, i.e., appear as in the modified layer. 6. Apply the layer mask. This will save your changes to the layer and remove the mask.

Delete layer mask – takes away the mask and returns the view to the modified layer.

Apply layer mask – apply layer mask combines the mask and the modified layer making your spot adjustments.

Rotate layer 180 – makes the layer image upside down without affecting other layers.

Rotate layer 90 CW – turns the image on its right side.

Rotate layer 90 CCW – turns the image on its left side.

Flip layer vertical – makes an upside down mirror image.

Flip layer horizontal – makes a mirror image upside down.

Images with layers can be saved but if they are saved with the layers intact, they are saved in a format unique to Pixlr. You can’t use files with a PIXLR format with other programs that I am aware of.