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Each layer can contain discrete elements of your project. Layers can contain photos, textures, or adjustments. There are lots of ways to create and manage layers, but it all comes back to having an organized design. Be sure to double-click on the name of each layer and give it a clear, descriptive name to make your workflow easier.
Using Layers
Let’s explore using Layers. To make sure Layers are visible, do the following:
Using the Add New Image Layer Command
The Add Image command is a useful way to add one image on top of another in an Aurora HDR 2019 image project. There are many possible reasons to do this, including design and technical. In this chapter we’ll explore two uses of this effect.
Loading a Texture Layer
The use of texture layers is quite a useful way to stylize an image. You can use the Add Image command to place a texture above a photo.
As you adjust the blend mode and opacity of the texture layer, it will create many different creative
Image by Richard Harrington effects. Each mode will have a different impact on your image based on the type and opacity you choose. Adding a texture to your image can dramatically change the look and feel of your work, plus, you may want to use a brush to apply the texture to only specific areas of your image.
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NOTE
Textures are not stored in Aurora HDR 2019. These files are located wherever you’ve saved them for usage. For easy access, we recommend keeping all of your textures in a consistent place on your hard disk.
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TIP
Single View Mode, accessed from the View menu, displays adjustment controls for only the selected tool in the Tools Sidebar. With this viewing option, all the tools, except the current one, are closed. Click on a different tool and the current one will be closed and the new one opened. In this mode, only one control is visible at a time, cleaning up the sidebar interface significantly. This command is not yet available on Windows.
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Adding a Watermark or Logo
A logo or watermark is an excellent way to brand an image before you post it to the Internet or make a print. You can use the Add Image command to place a watermark or logo to a photo.
Using an Adjustment Layer
Aurora HDR 2019 offers a special type of layer that makes it easy to precisely edit your photos. An adjustment layer can hold all of the filters available to you for a second instance. You can disable any of the filters that you do not want to use. This is a really flexible way to work with your photos as it means you can easily control advanced options for filters such as their opacity, or blending modes. Adjustment layers give you the most flexibility when editing a photo.
Here’s how to work with Adjustment Layers.
Using Blending Modes with Layers
A blending mode compares the content of two layers and enacts changes based upon the content of both. You can choose from 14 different blending modes using the pop-up menu at the top of the Layers controls. Understanding blending modes requires a bit of science. To start, let’s establish three key terms.
To adjust a layer’s Blending Mode:
Normal
The default mode performs no additional change to the way layer contents interact.
Darken
Pixels lighter than the blend layer are replaced, darker ones are not.
Multiply
This is similar to drawing strokes on the image with markers. The colors of the top layer are blended with the image.
Color Burn
Evaluates each channel; darkens base by increasing contrast.
Lighten
Evaluates each channel; it then uses base or blend color (whichever is lighter).
Screen
Uses a lighter color. It is useful for “knocking” black out of a layer.
Overlay
Overlays existing pixels while preserving highlights and shadows of base.
Soft Light
This effect is similar to shining a diffused spotlight onto the image.
Hard Light
This effect is similar to shining a harsh spotlight onto the image.
Difference
Evaluates each channel and subtracts or inverts depending on brightness.
Subtract
Looks at the color in each channel and subtracts the blend from the base.
Hue
Uses the luminance and saturation of the base and the hue of the blend.
Color
Preserves gray levels. It’s very useful for coloring and tinting.
Luminosity
Has the inverse effect of Color mode.
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