Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region III
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF ZAMBALES
Zone 6, Iba, Zambales
Tel./Fax No. (047) 602 1391
E-mail Address: [email protected]
website: www.depedzambales.ph

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

COMPUTER SCIENCE 2
WEEK 3

I. Introduction
Layers can be found everywhere. Human body is composed of different
layers; where the best example is the skin. The earth is composed of different
layers; from the core to the atmosphere. Even computer antivirus can be
segmented into layers; first layer antivirus and second layer antivirus. Adobe
Photoshop manages photo editing and manipulation through layers.

Layer manipulation is one of the most important features in Adobe

Photoshop. Without the layers, you cannot do photo editing. Layers can be
compared to stacks of transparent plastic sheets (Adobe, 2020). You can put
graphics in each individual transparent plastic sheets without affecting the
content for each. By combining or stacking all the individual transparent
plastic sheets, new graphic material is formed.

In Adobe Photoshop, layers are more powerful compared to stacking of

trasparent plastic sheets. All the controls are given to the editor to maximize
photo editing capabilities.
II. Learning Competency
Explore and examine the basic concepts and underlying principles of
Photo Editing specifically using Adobe Photoshop.

III. Objectives:
At the end of this learning activity sheet, you are expected to:

1. Manipulate layers in Adobe Photoshop;

2. Edit images using selection in Adobe Photoshop;

3. Demonstrate skills in manipulating layers and using selections.

IV. Discussion

MANIPULATE LAYERS IN ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

PART 1A: Layer Basics

In Adobe Photoshop, layers can be accessed via Layers Panel. This shows the
changes made to each individual layers.

1. Tab Groups – This is where the Layers Panel is located.

2. Filter Types – Contain various filter options.
3. Blend Modes – Apply painting or editing tools to the base color of image.
4. Lock Options –provide seal options for unintended changes.
5. Layer Visibility – Turn ON or Turn OFF to see or hide a layer.
6. Layer Thumbnail – Shows a graphic preview of a layer.
7. Layer Effect –Shows the layer details when a layer effect is applied.
8. Link Layers – All the layers on the link retain the relationship. You can
apply transformations to all the link layers.
9. Layer Style – By choosing this, you can apply effects to a layer.
10. Layer Mask – Control on the transparency of selected parts of a layer.
11. Adjustment Layer –Layer for getting color or tonal adjustment without
destroying the base image colors and tones.
12. Layer Groups – Allows you to organize layers into groups.
13. Create New Layer – allows you to make new layers.
14. Delete Layer – allows you to remove a layer.
15. Layer Lock Icon – an indicator that shows up when a layer is locked.
16. Layer Effect Indicator – Shows up when a layer has effect applied on it.
17. Fill – controls the opacity of the layer contents.
18. Opacity –controls the opacity of the layer as a whole.
19. Panel Options – Provide different commands in managing layers.

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PART 1B: Managing Layers

Showing the Layers Panel

1. If the Layers Panel is not visible, go to Window Menu and choose “Layers”.
2. If the Layers Panel buttons are messed up, go to
Window Menu, choose Workspace, and select Reset
(Current Workspace).

You can also click the Workspace button and select

Reset (Current Workspace).

3. Layers Panel is not shown in other Workspace.

Choose a Workspace that the Layers Panel is shown
automatically.

Renaming a Layer or Layer Group

As you add more graphics in editing your graphic material, more layers are
also added. It is better to organize layers by naming them accordingly.

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1. Double-click the layer or layer group that you wanted to be renamed.
Press ENTER key when finished.
2. The layer named “Background” will be changed to “Layer 0” if double-
clicked. You can also rename it according to your preferrence. Once it is
change to name “Layer 0” or other names, the lock icon will disppear.

Assigning Color to a Layer or Layer Group

1. Right-click the selected layer or layer
group. Change the color. A color tag will be
shown to the layer visibility icon.
2. Choose “No Color” to remove the color tag.

Rasterizing Layers
Some Adobe Photoshop tools (Shape Tool, Eraser Tool, Paint Bucket Fill
Tool, Filter Tool) cannot be use for vector image. A vector image is rasterized
once it becomes a raster image. A vector image does not pixelate. If you
zoom in or zoom out, the quality of vector image is still the same, while a
raster image quality is reduced. A vector image cannot be edited once you
converted it to raster image. Similarly, this happens to rasterizing a layer.
All the graphics of a rasterized layer become pixelated once converted.
1. Go to Layer Menu and choose “Rasterize”.
2. Choose the layer type to be rasterized. You can also choose all layers to be
rasterized at all once.
Note: There are alternative steps to avoid rasterization of images or layers.

PART 1C: Layer Blending

Creativity is restricted in Adobe Photoshop if there is no layer blending.
Layer blending consists of more than one layers (base layer, blend layer) and
adjust them into preferred conditions (colors, tone, opacity, contrast, etc.).
There are six layer blend modes that can get effect on the blend layer and
base layer:
Normal: Does not blend any layers, except for reducing opacity or fill.

Darken: Makes the blend layer darker, and white becomes invisible.

Lighten: Makes the blend layer lighter, and black becomes invisible.

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Contrast: Increases the contrast of blend layer, 50% Gray is invisible.

Comparative: Inverts the color of base layer in relation to the blend layer.

Composite: Adjusts color qualities such as hue, saturation, and luminosity.

Note: In using the layer blend modes, you will need to try every blend
options to get the best results. Select images that can blend easily.

Instructions:
1. Create a backup of the images you are going to use.
2. Open the base image in Adobe Photoshop (Background layer).
3. Create a new layer and place (File > Place Embedded) the blend image to
the new layer. Press ENTER key.
4. While the blend layer is selected, choose the blend mode that will show
the best results.
5. Save your file in .PSD and .JPEG format.

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PART 1D: Layer Mask
Applying the different blend modes can sometimes get results that needs
further refinement. Layer mask can make refined blending of base layer and
blend layer.

Instructions:
1. Create a backup of the images you are going to use.
2. Open the base image in Adobe Photoshop (Background layer).
3. Create a new layer and place (File > Place Embedded) the blend image to
the new layer. Press ENTER key.
4. Click the “Add Layer Mask” button. Make sure that the layer mask
thumbnail is selected before working with layer mask.
5. Use the Brush Tool (Keyboard shortcut: Press “B”). Adjust the brush tool
depending on the needed feature.
6. Use the Brush Tool to hide or reveal the parts of blend image.
7. Press “X” on your keyboard to change the brush tool effect to foreground
image (in the blend layer) or background image (in the Background layer).
8. Save your file in .PSD and .JPEG format.

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PART 1E: Using Smart Objects
Smart Objects in Adobe Photoshop are converted graphic image version.
Smart Objects avoid quality reduction when performing photo editing
operations (such as scaling, rotating). In some cases, Photoshop converts
the graphic image to smart object automatically.
Instructions:
1. Select the layer for Smart Object
conversion.
2. Go to Layer Menu, Select Smart
Objects option, choose “Convert to
Smart Object”.

USING SELECTIONS IN ADOBE PHOTOSHOP

PART 2A: Selecting Basics

Selection tools allow you to choose an specific area of an image where a
certain photo editing task is implemented. There are various selection tools
in Adobe Photoshop. These tools do the same things in common, to select
parts of the image. Use the tools depending on the complexity of the
selection needed.

Quick Selection Tool Lasso Tool Pen Tool

Magic Wand Tool Polygonal Lasso Freeform Pen Tool
Tool
Magnetic Lasso
Tool

Rectangular Marquee Tool

Elliptical Marquee Tool
Single Row Marque Tool
Single Column Marque
Tool

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PART 2B: Selecting By Shape
If the part of the image you wanted to select is a geometrical shape, you can
choose various selection tools. In this part, Polygonal Lasso Tool is used.
1. Create a backup of the image, and open it in Adobe Photoshop
2. Hold your mouse button to choose Polygonal Lasso Tool. You can also
press SHIFT key and letter “L” in your keyboard until the tool appears.
3. Click at the edges of the area that you wanted to select. Every click is
equal to one point. Notice that a line is following your mouse pointer. One
point to another point joined together to form the shape you defined.
4. Complete the selection by joining the point of origin to the most recent
point. The selection is complete once the polygon-shaped selection is closed.
5. If you think the selection needs revision, you can press CTRL + D on your
keyboard to start again.

PART 2B: Selecting By Color

Polygonal Lasso Tool is best fit for geometric shapes selection. If the image
area to be selected has distinct color compared to the other areas, selecting
by color is easier than joining points. Magic Wand Tool selects image area
according to color.
1. Create a backup of the image, and open it in Adobe Photoshop.
2. Press W on your keyboard or SHIFT + W to choose Magic Wand Tool.
3. Click on the image area for selection. Magic Wand Tool selects all the
similar pixel colors depending on the color of the area being clicked.
4. Change the tolerance to improve the selection coverage of the Tool. This
depends on the distribution of the similar image colors.

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5. Press SHIFT + click to add selection
coverage or Press ALT + click to subtract
selection coverage.

6. You can inverse the selection by pressing

SHIFT + CTRL + I

7. If you think the selection needs revision, you

can press CTRL + D on your keyboard to start
again.

PART 2C: Selecting Irregular Areas

If the color selected is similar to the other image areas, scattered selections
appear using the Magic Wand Tool. You have to readjust the tolerance,
subtract selections, or add selections to finish the task.

Selection of irregular areas can be achieved by using the Quick Selection Tool,
Pen Tool, or Freeform Pen Tool.
Note: You can use any Selection Tools. Choose the selection tool that is best
fit for the task. Other tools, such as Magic Wand Tool can also be used to
select irregular areas.

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Using Quick Selection Tool

1. Create a backup of the image, and open it in Adobe Photoshop.

2. Choose Quick Selection Tool or press “W” on your keyboard.
3. Hold the left mouse button while dragging to the desired image areas.
4. Adjust the selection coverage by pressing SHIFT + click to add selection or
pressing ALT + click to subtract selection.
5. You can also change the size to make bigger selections.
6. If you think the selection needs revision, you can press CTRL + D on your
keyboard to start again.

Using Pen Tool

1. Create a backup of the image, and open it in Adobe Photoshop.

2. Choose Pen Tool or press “P” on your keyboard.
3. Start clicking your left mouse button as you follow the edge trail of the
image area to be selected. Similar to the Polygonal Lasso Tool, the points are
connected but with more precision to curves.
4. Add more anchor points by clicking while following the edges of image
areas to be selected.
4. Close the path (compose of all anchor points) by joining the point of origin
to the last anchor point. Go to Path Channel, right-click the path (not the
thumbnail), choose “Make Selection”, and press OK.

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V. Activities

Activity A: The Keyboard Warrior

Write the function for each keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard Keyboard
Function Function
Shortcut Shortcut
SHIFT + W W
SHIT + CTRL + I P
ALT + click X
CTRL + D L
SHIFT + click B

Activity B: You are my Icon

Draw the Layers Panel icons for the following:
Icon Name Icon Name
1. Link layers icon 6. Layer lock icon
2. Add a layer style icon 7. Layer visibility icon
3. Add layer mask icon 8. Create a new layer icon
4. Create new adjustment layer icon 9. Delete layer icon
5. Create a new group icon 10. Panel options icon

Activity C: Leaf Me Live

Using the picture for photo editing, choose and explain the best selection
tool to be used for selecting the leaves.

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Activity D: Where is the Fishdaan?
Explain how to make a picture of a Fishdaan.

Activity E: Cup Hack Contest

Delete the background for just 1 minute or less. To delete the entire cup
background including the chair, what is the most appropriate selection tool
to save time? Explain.

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VI. Assessment
Directions: Write T if the statement is True or F if the statement is False.
1. Press X to change the foreground and background brush color.
2. If Layers Panel is not visible, go to Layers Menu, choose Show Layers Panel.
3. If you turn off the layer visibility of all layers, you cannot view any graphics.
4. By default, “Background” layer is locked.
5. Pressing letter “L” on your keyboard will show the layer options.
6. The best image layer blending can be determined by selecting “Auto Blend”
7. Layer rasterization can make the quality of image output low.
8. Pen Tool and Magic Wand can be used to trace edges of an image area
9. If you have a background image and need to put another image, click File,
then choose Place Embedded.
10. Pen Tool selections need path (anchor points) to be closed.
11. Files with .psd extension names cannot be edited.
12. Using the Brush Tool in a layer mask erases two layer areas.
13. All images can blend in layers easily using “Auto Blend”.
14. For complicated selections of irregular image areas, all selection tools can
be used.
15. Creating adjustment layer is the same as creating a layer.

VII. Reflection

Create an artwork by using stacked plastic cover. Draw different graphics to

each five pieces of small plastic cover (10 cm x 10 cm). When the five pieces
of plastic covers are stacked, new graphic image is formed. Take a picture and
send it to your teacher.

VIII. References
"Photoshop User Guide". 2020. Helpx.Adobe.Com.
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/user-guide.html.

Smith, Collin. 2019. "Complete Guide To Layer Blending Modes In

Photoshop, Written, Video + Free Ebook". Photoshopcafe.
https://photoshopcafe.com/complete-guide-layer-blending-modes-
photoshop/.

Prepared by:

Elvis A. Domingo
Teacher I
Castillejos National High School
District of Castillejos

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Key to Corrections

Activity A.
Toggles Quick Selection Tool and Quick Selection Tool / Magic
Magic Wand Tool Wand Tool
Inverse the selection Pen Tool
Change Brush Tool foreground /
Subtract from selection
background color
Remove current selection Polygonal Lasso Tool / Lasso Tool
Add from selection Brush Tool

Activity B.
Refer page 2-3 for icon sets.

Activity C.
Student must be able to explain the selection tool that is best fit for the image.
(Pen Tool, Quick Selection Tool)

Activity D.
Refer to Part 1D: Layer mask.

Activity E.
Refer to instruction in Part 2B (Magic Wand Tool) or Part 2C (Quick Selection
Tool)

Assessment
1. T
2. F
3. T
4. T
5. F
6. F
7. T
8. F
9. T
10. T
11. F
12. F
13. F
14. T
15. F

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