8.5

Preparing PSD files
When you're preparing pictures in Photoshop for use with PSD Import, you need to keep
a few things in mind:
• You do not need to save the image in another file format, which means that you don't
have to flatten the layers.
• Create alpha channels or clipping paths for any contours that you might want to wrap
text around.
• Create channels for areas where you might want to apply a different spot color or varnish.
• PSD Import cannot read layer information for certain images — including those that use
layer effects. The composite image is used instead.
Picture effects are not available for Photoshop pictures.
PSD Import supports PSD files in grayscale, RGB, CMYK, index, and multichannel modes.
Working with PSD layers
Experimenting with layers allows you to see different images within the context of the
entire layout. In addition, you can modify the opacity of a layer and try different blend
modes — such as dissolve, lighten, and difference — to see how these effects work with
the rest of a design.
You can use the Layers pane of the PSD Import palette to show, hide, blend, and change
the opacity of layers within PSD pictures. The PSD Import palette displays information
about how the picture file was created, but does not allow you to make fundamental
changes to the picture file:
• You cannot create, name, copy, duplicate, align, reposition, delete, or merge layers using
the Layers pane.
• If there are no layers in the PSD file, the PSD Import palette shows only the background
layer.
Blending PSD layers
The Blend Mode drop-down menu in the Layers pane lets you control how pixels in a
selected layer interact with pixels in all the layers below the selected layer. The blend
modes are similar to those in image-editing applications: They include Multiply, Color
Dodge, Exclusion, and Saturation.
Showing and hiding Photoshop layers
You can view and print layers that are showing; hidden layers do not display on-screen
or in print. PSD Import allows you to hide any layer, including the background layer.
• To show a layer, click the empty box icon to the left of the layer.
• To show all layers, Option+Shift+click/Alt+Shift+click the empty box icon.
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