How make adjustment layer apply to single layer?

[tim]

I think Rene posted something about this the other day. Basically I want to apply an adjustment layer to only one later, not everything underneath it in the stack. I don't think grouping layers does quite what I want. I basically want a non-destructive edit without duplicating layers as this increases file sizes. Is this possible?

NB: this thread is from 2007.

[gnb40]

I think all you have to do is click on the checkbox "Use previous layer to create a clipping mask" in the New Adjustment Layer dialog box.

Gary

[jbrown1]

Select your adjustment layer. Highlight the adjustment layer and the layer below it. Hold down option/alt and click on the line seperating the layer (a padlock will appear). This will lock the adjustment layer to the layer directly beneath it, so that the adjustment will only effect that one.

Is that what you're looking for ?

[tim]

Thanks Gary - i'd never seen that before because I always use the shortcuts at the bottom of the layer pallette. I'll give it a go when I remember which image I was working on when I asked the question, thanks! :) Oh, I remember... the dress...

[tim]

Select your adjustment layer. Highlight the adjustment layer and the layer below it. Hold down option/alt and click on the line seperating the layer (a padlock will appear). This will lock the adjustment layer to the layer directly beneath it, so that the adjustment will only effect that one.

Is that what you're looking for ?

Even easier, works great, thanks!

[René Damkot]

Thanks Gary - i'd never seen that before because I always use the shortcuts at the bottom of the layer pallette. I'll give it a go when I remember which image I was working on when I asked the question, thanks! :) Oh, I remember... the dress...

This gives you a mask based on the underlaying layer. Not what you were asking I think.
jbrown1 answered the original question, however there is no need to highlight and lock both layers. Just alt-clicking will do the job. Even if none of the layers is highlighted.

On the 'Use Previous Layer to Create Clipping Mask': Hold alt while you click the 'adjustment layer'' icon in the bottom of the layers palette. That will pop up the dialog.

[teeny]

Hi, looking for help myself. All this is so complicated! I have CS3 and I have never had CS2. So I am learning. I bought a book on CS3 and I still don't understand the most of it. Layers, stacking etc. I actually tried to smooth the skin and it worked but the little box inside my picture that it told me to make to start out before the smoothing, will not go away now that I have finished smoothing the skin. So I just saved it, green box and all. Anybody have suggestions for sites to learn from. I think I need a Class!

Teani:)

[René Damkot]

You could hop over to Russlel Browns' (russellbrown.com/tips_tech.html) website and have a look at some of his tutorial QT movies.
You could also detail the question a bit, since I have no idea what 'green box' you are referring to ;)

[DwightMcCann]

Glad this thread is still here! LOL. First item in Google search.

[tim]

I still use the technique!

[DwightMcCann]

I still use the technique!
Google Search or Double Select and Click Between?

[tim]

Alt click between layers.

[tonylong]

One quick approach to do a simple adjustment: select the area on the image layer that you want to make an adjustment to, then click on the Adjustment Layer icon and pick how you want to adjust. The adjustment layer will open and the mask will automatically "reveal" the selected area.

[TGrundvig]

Good stuff!

[JackFlash19]

Alt click between layers.

^^THIS. This way it won't affect anything beneath it and it will only affect the active pixels (if you have a transparency within the layer below it)