Graphics Zone - Multiply

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Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Soft Light & Hard Light in Photoshop

by BarryHilton, Adult NetSurprise

In this tutorial we'll take a look at five of Photoshops layer effects, Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Soft Light and Hard Light, each of which can have a dramatic effect on your designs. Used effectively these effects can produce stunning results from subtle designs to vivid creations.

These effects are accessed from the Layers Options, if you don't have the Layers Options showing on your screen go to the Windows Menu at the top of the screen and select 'Show Layers'. Now click on the 'Normal' drop down menu and you will see the above options presented on the list.

Each of these options or effects change the way your current layer interacts with the layers below it. In our examples below we have used a text layer set at 100% Opacity to illustrate the differences between the effects. However, in practice you can get great results from any type of layer, a photo for example can produce some amazine results when placed over a textured layer.

Don't be affraid to experiment with all the options, varying the Layer Opacity to soften the effects adding interest and texture to your image. You can also have several layers all set to different options above your lower or background layers to create some amazing effects.

In each of our examples we have used two colors to illustrate the differences between the options. Set one uses orange and red while set two used white and black.

Multiply :: Multiplies the pixels in your layer with the pixels in the layers below with white being transparent (no effect on the layer below) and black being the darkest color (black pixels on your effect layer stay solid black)

Screen :: Is the opposite effect to Multiply where light pixels on your effect layer make the lower layer pixels brighter with black being the transparent color.

Overlay :: This is one of the most useful effects where light colors increase the brightness and luminance of the color on the layer below with dark colors having the opposite effect.

Soft Light :: Works as if you were shining a light where your effect layer overlaps pixels in the layers below.

Hard Light ::Similar to Soft Light but with brighter, more harsh results.

Take time to experiment with these options and you will go a long way to improving your overall design quailty.