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My Favorite Blend Layers

My Favorite Blend Layers in PaintShop Pro

See the youtube video here: My Favorite Blend Layers

This tutorial will cover the blend layers that I use most often, and how I use them. Although there are many that I don't cover, you'll see their use in other videos or blogs as we go.

Screen

I most often use Screen when I have an object or texture that is light on a dark background, and I want only the light parts of the top layer to be overlayed on the bottom.  The prime example of this would be an image of snow on a black background, which we impose on a scene.


Blending the two layers produces the following.


Multiply

This has the opposite effect, but the same effect.  This works best when taking a dark subject on a white background, and wanting to blend it into a scene on a lower layer.  In this example we show a decal on a white background overlayed onto a vehicle.

With a little bit of shape manipulation, the Multiply blends it right in without the need for any selections or masking.

Overlay, Soft/Hard Light

These blend layers I prefer to use for increasing contrast.  It is a unique kind of contrast that is different than what is produced through some of the other many tools available in PSP.  To do this, simply duplicate the image on another layer, and change the top layer to any of the three types:  Overlay, Soft or Hard Light.  The strength of the contrast can be controlled by the layer opacity.

Difference

Finally, I use the Difference blend layer for some fun corner-cases.  One such case is with B/W art.  In the example below, the hair is one vector object, and the eyes and eyebrows are another vector object on a different layer.  Normally the eyebrows (being black), would be lost in the hair, but by converting the eyes/eyebrows to white (negative image), then using the Difference blend layer, you get the effect shown below.

The Difference blend layer can also be used when you are trying to observe the effect of a change.  If you take an image, duplicate layer it, then apply the change (say sharpness), then apply the Difference blend layer, you can see what pixels actually changed, and how the effect affected your image.

Conclusion

Blend layers can do a lot for you, and save you a lot of time if you know what they do, and how to use them.  I encourage you to explore some of the other blend layers.  You may be delighted with what you find.
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