Photoshop: How to apply an adjustment layer to the top layer only

[pavel123]

Danny,

I remember one of your postings there you mentioned that an adjustment layer can be applied selectively only to the layer beneath it (lower layers would not be affected).

Tried to find that post with little success. Can you possibly give a link to that message or to re-post it.

Thank you in advance.

Pavel

[mistermonday]

Just clip the adjustment layer to the layer below. Depending on the version of PS that you have, you can hold down the Alt key while moving the mouse to the line separating the two layers or Ctrl G or go to the layer menu.
Regards, Murray

[DannyRaphael]

re: I remember one of your postings there you mentioned that an adjustment layer can be applied selectively only to the layer beneath it (lower layers would not be affected).

Glad that stuck in your head! It's a handy thing to know.

Murray nailed it...

Before CS2: Layer > Group with previous
CS2: Layer > Create clipping mask

...or use the Keyboard shortcuts he noted.

=============

Great question. Thanks for asking.

...great answer, too, Murray. Much appreciated.

~Danny~

[duwayne]

I've often wondered how to do this. Thanks for the information.

Note: I have Photoshop CS and it has the Create Clipping Mask function under Layers also.

[pavel123]

Thank you

Danny, Mirray, thank you for the information. Pavel

[Nanls]

Of course there is always more than one way to do everything in photoshop.
An easy way is to hold down your option key (on mac) and select the adjustment icon from the bottom of the layers pallet (see image attached), when the window pops up, click on the button next to "Use Previous Layer to Create Clipping Mask" and the layer adjustment you choose from the menu will only be applied to that layer.
Hope this helps.
~Nancy~
________________________________________________
www.photoart123.com

[Craig Walters]

in paint shop pro you can do this by creating a 'layer group'. then, just put the adjustment layer within the layer group along with what you want it to affect and only that other layer will be affected.

layer groups can also be turned on and off as a whole or have other layers and adjustment layers affect the entire group. you can also set the layer group to a blend mode or individual layers within the group to a blend mode and only those layers within the group will be affected.

craig

[pavel123]

Craig, Nancy,

Thank you.

Nancy, I assume that "option" key in Mac stands for Alt in PC.

Pavel

[Nanls]

Craig, Nancy,

Thank you.

Nancy, I assume that "option" key in Mac stands for Alt in PC.

Pavel

Yep, I think that is right. Have fun.