Photoshop artboards vs layers: the main differences
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Photoshop CC has had the “Artboard” function since 2015, which is particularly popular with web designers. In this article you will find out exactly what the Photoshop artboards are all about and what the difference to layers is.
A layer in Photoshop
Layer is a feature that has always existed in Photoshop and that makes editing photos a lot easier. To make working with Photoshop easier, here are some basic things you need to know:
- Layers work like transparent films that you can stack on top of each other.
- You can reduce the opacity of the individual layers, which can help you, for example, when working with a photo montage.
- You can change the order of the layers afterwards and duplicate existing layers.
- You can group layers so that you can move them together, for example.
- You can change the way the layer is displayed (for example, from "normal" to "soft light"), which gives you many options for editing and photo manipulation.
- You can create layer masks so that you can only display parts of the layer without having to permanently delete anything.
- You can rasterize layers so that you don't accidentally move them.
- When you add text, a layer is automatically created.
- Layers do not necessarily have to be deleted, you can also simply make the layer invisible.
An artboard in Photoshop
Artboards can only be used since the CC version of Photoshop, which was introduced in 2015. They have a completely different function than levels, here is an overview of the most important things for you:
- Artboards are particularly suitable for web designers who want to optimize their websites for different devices.
- Artboards are a special type of layer group that are also displayed in the layer menu .
- You can include layers and groups, but no other artboards.
- The whole thing is visually displayed as a kind of mood board, where you can always attach new drawing areas to your existing ones.
- There are numerous formats from which you can choose your artboards or you can create your own format according to your needs.
- In the past, different documents had to be created, but today it is a document in which different images are displayed. In other words, if you want to design a unified website, for example, you can see your designs side by side in one document.
- You can copy or move the content of the artboard to a new one.
The differences between layers and artboards
Both tools are very helpful when it comes to image editing. Of course, there are some basic differences and uses that you should know:
- You can use layers in all Photoshop versions, however, drawing areas are only available in the CC version.
- Layers are slides that you can lay over an existing image. They are the same size, but can change the content, opacity and display.
- Artboards do not necessarily have to be the same size so that you can, for example, visually adapt a website for the PC, tablet and mobile phone.
- Layers cannot contain artboards, but artboards can contain layers because they are, so to speak, a separate document.
- You can create several versions of, for example, a poster within a document with only layers, but the comparison of your versions with drawing areas is significantly better.
- To switch to full screen mode, you have to click on the shortcut Command + 0 + Alt on the corresponding drawing area in the layer menu so that you only see one version in full screen. For a normal layered document, Command + 0 is enough.
Good photographers not only use Photoshop, but also Lightroom to improve their photos. You will find out exactly what the differences are in the next article. Are you still a beginner and Photoshop is just too expensive for you? We have selected the best free alternatives for you!