I hate using layers...

[Soulrape]

I hate it, and I don't get how they are so useful. When ever I try to draw using layers it screws things up. And right now, its creating layers that I don't want and so I can't do what I'm trying to do. It's frustrating the hell out of me, can someone please help. If I am too vague just tell me, and I will explain better.

[imager777]

If you don't like using layers; then don't use layers.

[Elwell]

If I am too vague just tell me, and I will explain better.
Please.

[Aerythes]

You're somewhat vague. If you hate layers, then just don't use them. If the program makes additional layers due to you pasting images or using the type tool, you can flatten all layers by clicking on that triangle on the Layers palette.

[Soulrape]

flatten the layers, that helps, thanks.
And to explain... Well I just don'y get what the point of layers is, at first I thought it was to block of other areas so that you dont need to make as many corrections, but ive tried them and it really doesnt help at all. I know Im not being forced to use them, I just don't understand why they help some ppl so much.

[Cyanide]

Well, they help me because I can draw things in pieces, and the layers allow me to seperate the pieces so that if I screw up one thing, I don't have to erase anything other than what I messed up. Also, if I've got something already sketched out, I can see how some modification to it might look without risking messing up the original. I also use them to sort of build up a drawing one thing at a time. Like if I'm drawing a person, i'll sketch out a skeleton first. Then put a rough body ontop of that, then clothes ontop of that, etc. Then I can go back and easyily get rid of the skeleton and body once I've got the clothes and stuff drawn in, rather than having to painstakingly erase the lines of the skeleton and flesh without messing up the clothing.

[jester]

Few hints: use them like foil packs you can re-arrange, delete and make visible/invisible just as you like.

Jester

[skinns]

Layers are extremely important when i comes to design, more than illustration. It also depends on what software you using too. I use them help with keeping text seperate, applying adjustment layers, and to keep organization at most the best.

Layers are also great when dealing with clients.
Example: Here is the zombie with a tophat
Example: Here is the zombie without a tophat

Obviously the tophat is on a seperate layer that I would be turning on and off.

This would be used if your were doing concept sketches for ROB ZOMBIES next film...

Its pretty standard in the industry of design, so I would stop fighting the tools and just learn to use them to progress.

[egerie]

When I discovered Photoshop at it's second version, I thought it was the best thing in the world. You have to remember it's a tool. If you want to rework on a portion later on without having to go trough masks or tedious selection work, you can put your stuff on layers. You can make effects on one layer having an incidence on your lower layers without "damaging" them, etc. Oh the possibilities !

[feeesh]

yep, especially important in design. It's like old-school paste-up with the text and stuff on clear overlays over the art. Especially since you used to have to print out manually on typesetters.

But also you could paint a red hat on a person on a separate layer, and a blue hat on the person in another layer and switch them around. Or paint different parts on different layers and if you screw up or paint over another area by accident and screw up some of your rendering, all you have to do is hide that layer and start over, or you can just erase where you painted over as it wont effect your rendering you painted over in the first place because it's on a separate layer.