Differences Between Opacity and Fill in Photoshop

Jul 21, 2024

Differences Between Opacity and Fill in Photoshop

Introduction

  • Opacity and Fill often work the same way in general circumstances.
  • Special behaviors under certain conditions.
  • Aim to understand the differences to create advanced effects.

Basic Concept

  • Opacity: Controls the transparency of the entire layer including layer styles.
  • Fill: Controls the transparency of layer content without affecting layer styles.

Application Scenario: Adding Text to a Scenery

Goal

  • Create text that stands out against a bright background.

Steps

  1. Add Fill Layer: Used black solid color adjustment layer.
  2. Reduce Opacity/Fill: To make the background less distracting.

Adjustment Layers and Fill Layers

  • Solid Color: Fills canvas with a single color.
  • Gradient: Fills canvas with a gradient of colors.
  • Pattern: Creates a pattern fill layer.

Special Blend Modes

  • There are 8 Special Blend Modes where Fill works differently from Opacity:
    1. Color Burn
    2. Linear Burn
    3. Color Dodge
    4. Linear Dodge
    5. Vivid Light
    6. Linear Light
    7. Hard Mix
    8. Difference

Example: Hard Mix Blend Mode

  1. Change to a warmer color.
  2. Select Hard Mix blend mode.
  3. Adjust Fill to control projection and interaction intensity.

Advanced Concept: Blend If

  • Purpose: Control effect visibility based on brightness levels.
  • Usage: Double-click the layer for Layer Style dialog box, use 'Blend If' in the dialog to adjust visibility.
  • Example: Remove effect from dark areas using underlying layer sliders.
  • Creating Smooth Transition: Use ALT/Option key to split sliders.

Practical Example: Simulating a Sun

  1. Create Sun Layer: New layer > Brush tool (soft round) > Bright yellow color.
  2. Convert to Smart Object: Helps maintain quality during transformations.
  3. Use Color Dodge Blend Mode: Enhances the brightness effect.
  4. Uncheck Transparency Shapes Layer: To let interaction shape the layer.

Adding a Gradient Fill for Sun Glare

  1. Create Gradient Fill: Adjustment layer icon > Gradient > Custom gradient (yellow to red).
  2. Use Radial Style: Adjust size, location.
  3. Apply Screen Blend Mode: Brightens the image where glare is applied.

Camera Raw Filter: Warm up the Image

  1. Duplicate Background Layer: Ctrl/J.
  2. Convert to Smart Filter: Filter > Convert for Smart Filters.
  3. Warm Up: Adjust temperature and tint in Camera Raw Filter.

Final Concept: Layer Styles

  • Drop Shadow: Adds shadow for depth, controlled through properties.
  • Bevel and Emboss: Adds 3D effect.
  • Difference in Opacity and Fill:
    • Opacity: Affects the layer and layer styles.
    • Fill: Affects only the layer content, not the styles.

Summary

  • Opacity and Fill generally work the same but differ in two special cases:
    1. Special Blend Modes
    2. Layer Styles
  • Special Blend Modes: Fill controls projection and interaction intensity.
  • Layer Styles: Fill keeps layer styles constant while making layer content transparent.

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