Adjustment layers

About adjustment layers

Adjustments are applied from the Adjustments panel and most include customizable settings alongside general adjustment options. 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).

There may be times that you only want to apply an adjustment layer to either a single layer (e.g., a placed image) 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.

Available adjustments:

When an item is selected, the adjustment layer is applied directly above the item's layer. With no selection in place, the adjustment is applied at the top of the layer stack.

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

To apply an adjustment:

(Optional) Select a layer if you want the adjustment applied directly above it.
On the Adjustments panel, do one of the following:
- For a custom adjustment: tap an adjustment from the list of thumbnails, then modify its settings on the pop-up that appears.
- For a preset adjustment: tap the navigation arrows on the Type option (or tap directly on the option) to choose an adjustment preset thumbnail.

If there was no item selected, the adjustment is added to the top of the layer stack.

To modify, merge or delete an adjustment layer:

On the Layers panel, tap the adjustment type icon of the adjustment layer that you want to modify.
On the pop-up that appears, do one of the following:
- Edit the adjustment's settings.
- Tap Reset to reset the adjustment to its default settings.
- Tap Merge to merge the adjustment with the layer beneath.
- Tap Delete to remove the adjustment layer entirely.

To move an adjustment layer:

On the Layers panel, do one of the following:

Drag the adjustment to the top of the panel so it affects all layers below it.
Drag the adjustment above or below other layers in the same parent layer or group to affect more or fewer of them.
Drag the adjustment onto another layer to make it a child of that object and confine its effect to that layer only.

To mask an adjustment layer:

On the Layers panel, select the Adjustment layer.
Do any of the following:
- To 'erase' from the mask, paint with the Erase Brush Tool.
- To 'restore' areas to the mask, select the Paint Brush Tool and paint (white restores fully, shades of gray or a lower opacity will gradually restore areas).
- To apply a gradient mask, select the Gradient Tool and drag across the layer. Adjust the gradient colors from the Color panel.

About adjustment layers

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