What's the difference between Opacity and Fill? 2

[satchi]

Hello, I have a quick question... on the layer function window, there's an Opacity % and a Fill % for each layer. Uusually I toggle the opacity to create transparency on a layer, but I notice that by using the fill, i could get the same result.

So what's the difference?

 

[SPYDERIX]

Hi,

Opacity changes the transparency of the entire layer including all layer effects whereas fill only changes the transparency of the image and not the layer effects.

Hope this helps!

NATE

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[satchi]

Hi, so basically Fill changes the transparency of all the layers (the whole image? even if multiple layers make up that image?)?

 

[pixl8r]

Not quite right.

Fill opacity does not change the transparency of anything other than the fill area at the time of the fill. (be that a full layer or a smaller selection)

Layer Opacity changes the transparency of a given layer (regardless of what is selected) including the layer effects on that layer.

When you are viewing an image in photoshop you are looking at the composite. What you see is what you get. If you want to change the opacity of all the layers you will have to place them in a layer set and change the opacity of the set (or do each layer individually).

So in a file with a white background try this:

Create a new layer. Select All then Fill with black. Deselect and set the layers opacity to 50%. The result is 50% gray.

Turn that layer off and create another new layer. Select All then Fill with black at 50% opacity (in the fill options). The result is 50% gray.

Both layers are 50% transparent, so if you place something beneath them you will be able to see it. If you turn them both on you will get 100% black.

So what is the difference you ask? The layer opacity can be adjusted at any time, but the fill opacity can only be adjusted during the fill process.

Clear as mud?

Hope it helps.

Wow JT that almost looked like you knew what you were doing!

 

[satchi]

Ok, I think I understand a bit. Let me try to clarify what I think I understand, opacity changes the transparency of the layer, regardless of additional effects on the layer at any given time.

Fill changes the transparency of the layer, at the time it was filled. So if I add other effects to the layer, fill will not make these effects transparent, but only the object that was first created???

(there's a Fill and Opactiy marker on the layers window box which i can adjust to modify it's transparency...)

I'll try the example first to see if I can understand it better. THanks for the post pixl8r.

 

[SPYDERIX]

Satchi - what you just said last is correct

NATE

http://www.mainframehosting.net

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[satchi]

Cool, I think I'll do an example of this to better convince myself. Thanks again for the posts guys.

 

[pixl8r]

LOL... I'm glad it made sense I even confused myself trying to explain that one. Glad it helped.

 

[SPYDERIX]

NP

NATE

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