Layers, masks and effects
Go beyond the sliders: the Layers surface adds curves, split toning, vignettes, grain, glow and masked layers to one photo, previewed exactly as it will be saved.
The Layers button in the editor's sidebar opens it as a separate editing surface for one photo, with tools the sidebar does not have. It is an early version of the layered editor.
If you open it on a selection, it edits only the highlighted photo; and changes not yet saved in the sidebar do not come with you. In either case it asks first.
What it offers
- Stages — adjustments applied in a fixed order: the matrix sliders, Monochrome, Highlights & shadows, Curves, Per-range HSL, Split toning, Vibrance and Clarity.
- Layers — a stack you add to: Vignette, Graduated, Grain, Glow, Streaks, Flare, and plain Adjustments, Fill, Gradient, Image and Group layers. Each layer has an Opacity, a Blend mode and, for most, a mask you can shape by dragging on the photo. Layers can be duplicated, deleted, wrapped in a group and ungrouped.
On a narrow window the two columns fold into one with a switch between them.
Previewing and saving
The preview is rendered by the same engine that saves the photo, so what you see is what you get. Original shows the photo without the document, Undo and Redo (Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+Shift+Z) step through changes, and Save stores the document and re-renders the photo from its original. A photo saved with layers is read-only in the sidebar's tabs.
On a video's frame (see Grading a video) the button is Apply to video instead.