Adjustment layers are special layers that adjust the pixels on the layers below them. They allow you to perform non-destructive image editing by applying adjustments to your image without permanently changing pixel values. For example, rather than making a Curves adjustment directly to an image, you can create an adjustment layer and make the Curves adjustment to that instead. The adjustments are stored in the adjustment layer and apply to all the layers below it. You can correct multiple layers by making a single adjustment, rather than adjusting each layer separately. You can change or discard the adjustments at any time.
One adjustment layer can have multiple adjustments in it. This is a feature unique to Chasys Draw IES that is intended to improve final image quality. When importing adjustment layers from other image editors, the decision on whether or not to combine adjustment layers is left to the relevant plug-in and the user.
Adjustment layers in Chasys Draw IES are maskable, that is, they have an alpha channel that can be used to determine which pixels are affcted by the adjustment and to what extent.
Creating Adjustment Layers
An adjustment layer can be created in two ways:
Option
Details
Using New Layer
When creating a new layer, you’ll be offered the option of creating an adjustment layer. An adjustment layer created by this method will be fully opaque.
Using Attach Adjustment Layer under the Adjustments menu
This option creates an adjustment layer that is customized for the current layer. It will be the same size and position as the current layer and just above it in the list of layers. Additionally, if the current layer has transparent parts, the adjustment layer will also be marked accordingly. The original layer and the new adjustment layer will then be grouped together.
Chasys Draw IES can also import adjustment layers created by other image editing software; specifically, it supports Adobe Photoshop PSD images containing adjustment layers in the Photoshop format. Adjustment layers are marked with a special marker, and the information used by an adjustment layer is stored in an ADJU layer attachment.
There are some variations between the way adjustment layers are implemented in Chasys Draw IES and in Adobe Photoshop. Adjustment layers imported from Photoshop will be translated to Chasys Draw IES equivalents where possible.
Adjustment Layer Attributes
Double-clicking an adjustment layer or clicking “More...” in the Layer Properties window for an adjustment layer brings up the Adjustment Layer Attributes window. The window uses a multi-page design as illustrated below. Using this window, you can set up the various adjustments (remember, Chasys Draw IES supports multiple adjustments per adjustment layer).
The adjustment options provided by the Adjustment Layer Attributes window work exactly like the adjustment options under the Adjustments menu, with one exception: AQuE is not supported. The reason for that difference is that adjustment layers need to be rendered in real-time, and can therefore not provide the amount of processing time required for complex tasks such as AQuE.
