Using adjustment layers

Adjustment layers allow you to make non-destructive corrections and enhancements to your photo project (or individual layers).

Before
After
Before and after a Recolor adjustment layer was applied.

About adjustment layers

The Adjustment and Layers panels provide a range of adjustments you can apply to your photo or design. Once applied, they can be identified as both an adjustment and a specific adjustment type by using unique symbols.

Adjustment layer type
Curves adjustment layer indicating it is an adjustment (A) and a Curves adjustment type (B).
Available adjustments:

Once selected, an adjustment layer is added to the Layers panel.

There may be times that you only want to apply an adjustment layer to either a single layer or a group of layers. This is easily achieved by clipping.

Adjustment layers also have mask layer properties. Areas of an adjustment layer can be revealed or hidden in the same way as with a mask layer.

Adjustments To apply an adjustment from the Layers panel:
  1. On the Layers panel, select a layer.
  2. Click Adjustments and select an adjustment from the pop-up menu.
  3. If a dialog appears for the adjustment, follow the steps below:
    1. Adjust the settings in the dialog.
    2. Close the dialog to apply.

The adjustment is added directly above the selected layer.

To modify, merge or delete an adjustment layer:
  1. On the Layers panel, double-click the adjustment layer that you want to modify.
  2. Adjust the settings in the dialog.
  3. Close the dialog to apply the changes, Merge to apply the changes and merge the adjustment with the layer beneath, or Delete to remove entirely.
To move an adjustment layer:

Do one of the following:

Erase Brush Tool Paint Brush Tool To mask an adjustment layer:
  1. On the Layers panel, select the Adjustment layer.
  2. Do any of the following:
    • To 'erase' from the mask, paint with the Erase Brush Tool.
    • To 'restore' the mask, select the Paint Brush Tool and paint over the areas in white.
    • To apply a gradient mask, select the Gradient Tool from the Tools panel and drag across the layer. Adjust the gradient colors from the settings.

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