Image Editing Layers and Compositing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a layer mask used for in Photoshop?
- Locking a layer from editing
- Hiding or revealing portions of a layer non-destructively using black and white (Correct answer)
- Merging layers together
- Applying color fills to layers
Correct answer: Hiding or revealing portions of a layer non-destructively using black and white
A layer mask uses black to hide and white to reveal portions of a layer, allowing non-destructive compositing.
Question 2: What does a 'clipping mask' do in Photoshop?
- Copies content to another document
- Clips the content of one layer to the shape or transparency of the layer below it (Correct answer)
- Masks all layers simultaneously
- Adds a drop shadow automatically
Correct answer: Clips the content of one layer to the shape or transparency of the layer below it
A clipping mask restricts the visibility of a layer to the non-transparent pixels of the layer directly beneath it.
Question 3: Which blend mode multiplies the inverse of two layer values and always produces a lighter result?
- Multiply
- Overlay
- Screen (Correct answer)
- Darken
Correct answer: Screen
Screen blend mode multiplies the inverse of pixel values, always producing a result that is lighter than either source layer.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a 'Smart Object' layer in Photoshop?
- Automatically enhances image quality
- Preserves the original data so transformations and filters are non-destructive (Correct answer)
- Automatically detects faces
- Converts raster to vector
Correct answer: Preserves the original data so transformations and filters are non-destructive
Smart Objects embed the original content so you can transform, warp, or apply Smart Filters without permanently altering the pixel data.
Question 5: What does the term 'compositing' mean in image editing?
- Adjusting a single image's exposure
- Combining multiple images or elements into a seamless final image (Correct answer)
- Converting RAW files to JPEG
- Removing color from images
Correct answer: Combining multiple images or elements into a seamless final image
Compositing is the process of combining multiple images, graphics, or elements into a single cohesive visual.
Question 6: What does 'flattening' an image do in Photoshop?
- Reduces the canvas size
- Merges all visible layers into a single background layer (Correct answer)
- Converts to 8-bit color
- Removes all adjustments
Correct answer: Merges all visible layers into a single background layer
Flattening merges all visible layers into one Background layer, discarding hidden layers and reducing file size.
Image Editing Layers and Compositing 1
What is a layer mask used for in Photoshop?