Help me understand layers please...

Just to start, I am using Paint Shop Pro 2019 to edit.

So, say I have a picture and I want to adjust the curves.
Why not go to adjustment, click curves, adjust to my liking and clicked ok......instead of making an adjustment layer. If I dont like it I can undo the edit, right?!

I hear people talk about "destructive" editing and I guess I just dont understand enough about layers...
Why is it destructive to just edit with no adjustment layer?

Thanks for any help!!

reefvilla wrote in post #18689892
Just to start, I am using Paint Shop Pro 2019 to edit.

So, say I have a picture and I want to adjust the curves.
Why not go to adjustment, click curves, adjust to my liking and clicked ok......instead of making an adjustment later. If I dont like it I can undo the edit, right?!

Right. That's why it's called nondestructive editing. After you save the layered file, you can still go back and undo your editing.

If you edit a pixel layer and save the file, that permanently changes those pixels. Hence, destructive. You can't go back and undo the edit. But if you use an adjustment layer, you can undo or otherwise adjust the edit.

You can delete the adjustment layer and return to the original.

Merlin_AZ wrote in post #18689909
You can delete the adjustment layer and return to the original.

You can also keep the adjustment layer, but vary its opacity. That is to set the adjustment you want, but then you can vary the percentage of that adjustment. Also, if you make an adjustment and it looks great on the subject but it makes the background look bad, you have the choice of selecting what parts of the image you wish to adjust by using one of the selection tools, or even by simply erasing the parts of the layer that you don't want the change to occur to.

This I did not know. I have had several edits where part of the photo looks good but the editing didnt work on say, the sky or some other part.

Maybe I'm wrong.... edit: I'm sure I'm wrong.... but I thought once you create adjustment layers, edit picture and then go to save, it would Merge layers into a single layer to save. Which would mean you cannot adjust layers after it is saved?

If you save the .psd file, it will save all the layers.

Ok..thanks

reefvilla wrote in post #18690090
This I did not know. I have had several edits where part of the photo looks good but the editing didnt work on say, the sky or some other part.

If the PSP layers have a layer mask option, you're better off using that because it can be modified later where erasing can't be brought after a save & closing the file. This would be the same as if you had used a Adjustment Layer in the first place in PS.

.tiff files also save the layers. I usually use those because windoze can display them.

He is using paint shop pro. Does that even save files as a .psd? I would think not.

medd63 wrote in post #18690243
He is using paint shop pro. Does that even save files as a .psd? I would think not.

I will check later but I'm pretty sure it does.
I have used PSP since 2005 but I think it's time to switch to Adobe

Nogo wrote in post #18689927
- You can also keep the adjustment layer, but vary its opacity. That is to set the adjustment you want, but then you can vary the percentage of that adjustment.

- Also, if you make an adjustment and it looks great on the subject but it makes the background look bad, you have the choice of selecting what parts of the image you wish to adjust by using one of the selection tools, or even by simply erasing the parts of the layer that you don't want the change to occur to.

These are the main reason I usually use layers for everything.
Varying opacity of your adjustments in real time can be a real eye opener, and will show you very quickly when you have taken adjustments too far, and allow you to quickly dial in the "correct" amount to get the best image.

A great example that will boost the speed you work; you COULD adjust levels for each image one at a time, being careful to get it all looking good but not over cooked, OR you could use "auto levels" on an adjustment layer and back off opacity, one slider, until it feels right. The latter is MUCH faster.

Merlin_AZ wrote in post #18689909
You can delete the adjustment layer and return to the original.

This is of course very helpful too!

PSP does save in .psd and it will re-open with all the layers showing, however, none of the layers will adjust.
I can move the slide bar or toggle off the layer but nothing happens.


It will not save in .tiff … I get a merge warning

reefvilla wrote in post #18690338
PSP does save in .psd and it will re-open with all the layers showing, however, none of the layers will adjust.
I can move the slide bar or toggle off the layer but nothing happens.


It will not save in .tiff … I get a merge warning

Hosted photo: posted by reefvilla in
./showthread.php?p=186​90338&i=i213896909
forum: RAW, Post Processing & Printing

I use PSP X6. The default for saving an image is .pspimage format, which will allow later editing of layers. No reason to use .psd unless you need it to be readable by Photoshop.

-js

OK... Thank you!


EDIT: That works perfect!!! Thanks

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=ZBKHeU8rWFs