IMAGES
 
 
A. Images
B. Image Use
C. Image Collection
D. Image Analysis
E. Layer Analysis
F. Jpegs
G. Replication
H. Info Screens
I. Image Dev
J. Image Build
K. The Image

 

CONTACT:

Don Bergland
bergland@uvic.ca

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Layer ANALYSIS

 
1. PHOTOSHOP LAYERS - A TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
 

One of the most important image creation skills you will learn in Photoshop is how LAYERS constitute the entire structure of an image. It is valuable to see an image in relation to the layers used to construct it.

A technical analysis is the examination of an image file to actually see how the image was constructed using layers. In order to do this, you need to have the actual .psd file for the image. These .psd files are located below and can be downloaded to your Desktop for this activity.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
1. Make sure Photoshop is launched.
2. Inside Photoshop, go to the TOP MENU BAR - OPEN. A window will open.
3. Use this window to locate the proper .psd file on your Desktop. Click OPEN.
4. The image file will open. Make sure the Layers palette is showing.
5. Look at the document window (the image) and then look at the Layers palette. See the relationship between the two.
6. Go to the Layers palette and start hiding and showing layers. See the effect on the main image.
7. Click on the MOVE tool. Now play with moving Layers around.
8. Play. Get a feel of how the image was put together using Layers.

NOTE - The four following .psd files can be downloaded by clicking on the Activity icons (below):

- preview01.psd
- preview02.psd
- preview03.psd
- preview04.psd
  ACTIVITY
 
a. In a previous activity, we examined 4 simple images and performed a “visual” analysis. Let’s now look at the same four images and perform a “technical” analysis. A technical analysis is the examination of an image file to actually see how the image was constructed. In order to do this, you need to have the actual .psd file for the image.
b. Image 1 (preview01.psd) - This is a basic information image. Its purpose is to provide visual information for the user.
 
IMAGE DOWNLOAD (preview01.psd) -.Click once on the icon to the left to Download a .psd file to your Desktop. This file will have the name "preview01.psd."

Wait for the file to Download completely, then contiinue with the following directions.
  Technically analyze the image using the directions above (play with the layers to see how it was constructed):
c. Image 2 (preview02.psd) - This is another basic information image. Its purpose is to provide visual information for the user. Download “preview02.psd from the website.
 
IMAGE DOWNLOAD (preview02.psd) -.Click once on the icon to the left to Download a .psd file to your Desktop. This file will have the name "preview02.psd."

Wait for the file to Download completely, then contiinue with the following directions.
  Technically analyze the image using the directions above (play with the layers to see how it was constructed)
d. Image 3 (preview03.psd) - This is a visual interface image. Its purpose is to organize information and present a system of navigation for the user. Download “preview03.psd from the website. .
 
IMAGE DOWNLOAD (preview03.psd) -.Click once on the icon to the left to Download a .psd file to your Desktop. This file will have the name "preview03.psd."

Wait for the file to Download completely, then contiinue with the following directions.
  Technically analyze the image using the directions above (play with the layers to see how it was constructed).
e. Image 4 (preview04.psd) - This is a cover image. Its purpose is to provide visual information as well as promotion about the content of the resource. Download “preview04.psd from the website.
 
IMAGE DOWNLOAD (preview04.psd) -.Click once on the icon to the left to Download a .psd file to your Desktop. This file will have the name "preview04.psd."

Wait for the file to Download completely, then contiinue with the following directions.
  Technically analyze the image using the directions above (play with the layers to see how it was constructed).
f. Image 1 (preview05.psd) - This is a basic information image. This was created as a small text screen for the course website. If you look at the central information section on each webpage, you will notice this image and various color iterations of it. Its purpose is to provide visual information and focus for the user. Download “preview05.psd from the website. Technically analyze the following image (play with the layers to see how it was constructed):
 
IMAGE DOWNLOAD (preview05.psd) -.Click once on the icon to the left to Download a .psd file to your Desktop. This file will have the name "preview05.psd."

Wait for the file to Download completely, then contiinue with the following directions.
  Technically analyze the image using the directions above (play with the layers to see how it was constructed):
g. Image 2 (preview06.psd) - This is an advertising image. Its purpose was to provide information about a sales promotion. The image was published in a magazine and also appeared on a promotional website. I was creative Director for this company when we created the image. We photographed a computer and then had our Web Director (Russell) lie on a table in the position you see him. We then photographed him. We brought the photos into Photoshop and then trimmed the images of Russell and the computer. We brought them together using scale and rotation tools. The team then turned the composition over to me to create the background. You can get a sense of how this type of background is created by examining the layers. Download “preview06.psd from the website. Technically analyze the following image (play with the layers to see how it was constructed):
 
IMAGE DOWNLOAD (preview06.psd) -.Click once on the icon to the left to Download a .psd file to your Desktop. This file will have the name "preview06.psd."

Wait for the file to Download completely, then contiinue with the following directions.
  Technically analyze the image using the directions above (play with the layers to see how it was constructed)
h. Image 3 (preview07.psd) - This is a cover for a CD of audio comedy I created back in 1996. Its purpose is to present the crazy and offbeat comedy content with an image that reflects the humor. The image was constructed entirely of Royalty-Free images collected off the Internet. Download “preview07.psd from the website. Technically analyze the following image (play with the layers to see how it was constructed):. .
 
IMAGE DOWNLOAD (preview07.psd) -.Click once on the icon to the left to Download a .psd file to your Desktop. This file will have the name "preview07.psd."

Wait for the file to Download completely, then contiinue with the following directions.
  Technically analyze the image using the directions above (play with the layers to see how it was constructed).
i. Image 1 (preview08.psd) - This is an expanded information image. It was a promo sheet for a company service I created when working for Zamage Digital Imaging. It is basically a photo montage using a variety of digital images in connection with text. Download “preview08.psd from the website. Technically analyze the following image (play with the layers to see how it was constructed):
 
IMAGE DOWNLOAD (preview08.psd) -.Click once on the icon to the left to Download a .psd file to your Desktop. This file will have the name "preview08.psd."

Wait for the file to Download completely, then contiinue with the following directions.
  Technically analyze the image using the directions above (play with the layers to see how it was constructed):
j. Image 2 (preview09.psd) - This is a cover I created for a course manual (EDCI 592 - The Digital Image). Download “preview09.psd from the website. Technically analyze the following image (play with the layers to see how it was constructed):
 
IMAGE DOWNLOAD (preview09.psd) -.Click once on the icon to the left to Download a .psd file to your Desktop. This file will have the name "preview09.psd."

Wait for the file to Download completely, then contiinue with the following directions.
  Technically analyze the image using the directions above (play with the layers to see how it was constructed)
k. Image 3 (preview10.psd) - This is the background for an interface I created . This particular image is an example of early fusion work. Download “preview10.psd from the website. Technically analyze the following image (play with the layers to see how it was constructed):
 
IMAGE DOWNLOAD (preview10.psd) -.Click once on the icon to the left to Download a .psd file to your Desktop. This file will have the name "preview10.psd."

Wait for the file to Download completely, then contiinue with the following directions.
  Technically analyze the image using the directions above (play with the layers to see how it was constructed).

 
 
Click on IMAGE categories at the top left side of the page to access further knowledge and skills.

 

© 2006 University of Victoria