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darrent17412506
Known Participant
February 21, 2019
Question

So Lost...understanding what you can/cannot do w/ Layers

  • February 21, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 548 views

Hello!

Going to ask my question in bullet points, to simulate where I hit a wall...and not sure what to do or where I went wrong.

Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 / Mac 10.14.3 / 8 bit image / TIFF

My workflow for retouching a beauty image:

1.  Open Image

2.  Duplicate Image - On duplicate image I go to Filters, Liquify and make adjustments

3.  Duplicate #2 above and Crop Image (now I can see how I would like the final image to look and starting cleaning)

4.  Next I add a Blank Layer and clean up the skin using healing tool.

5.  Next on new layers I perform Frequency Separation and continue to clean the skin.

6.  Next on new layers I perform Dodge & Burn and continue to clean the skin

Enter the PROBLEM:

Oh oh, I forgot to Liquify the models eyes in Step #2 above...when I go back to this layer, I cannot do anything???

I cannot use my Brush to add eyelashes

I cannot use my Stamp Tool or Healing Brush to clean more of the skin.

The only way to move forward is to create a Stamp Layer to get back to a Background Layer Image...and start from there.

Problem... isn't this Destructive?  I'm now committing to the above 1-6 steps without an option to either delete or modify what I've done.

Will somebody please explain what you can and cannot do with Layers ...btw I am not using Smart Object layers...not sure why?

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

melissapiccone
Community Expert
melissapicconeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 21, 2019

You answered your own question, you need to use smart objects... They are the key to editing non destructively.

Melissa Piccone | Adobe Trainer | Online Courses Author | Fine Artist
    melissapiccone
    Community Expert
    melissapicconeCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 21, 2019

    step 2 - smart object, then liquify

    Melissa Piccone | Adobe Trainer | Online Courses Author | Fine Artist
      jane-e
      Community Expert
      jane-eCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 21, 2019

      Hi Darren,

      After you create your Smart Object (SO), your filters, such as Liquify, will get attached and be editable.

      You can double-click the SO icon in the Layers panel to open the .psb inside to make edits. You have been adding blank layers to make adjustments, and you can do that while you are in the .psb. Then save and close the .psb and you‘ll be back in the .psd again.

      ~ Jane


      Hi Darren,

      Melissa and I started writing at the same time and we might again! Starting from scratch, put your layer in an SO and add layers when you are inside it. With an existing document, select your layers and then create the SO.

      Filters should go on the SO so they can be hidden, deleted, or edited — not on the layer itself.

      And hi, Melissa! It snowed all day here yesterday — you’d think we are in your neck of the woods!

      ~ Jane

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