There are two types of fill layers: solid color fill, gradient fill and pattern fill. A fill layer has a parameter (the color, the gradient or the pattern) and there are many ways how to produce a layer filled with the color, the gradient, or the pattern. Fill layers have several advantages: the fill parameters (the color, the gradient or the pattern) can be easily modified. Press Layer - New Fill Layer in the top menu to add a new fill layer.
Adjustment layers are the special kind of layers. Imagine that you have a photo and you want to make it black and white (grayscale). Press Layer - New Adjustment Layer in the top menu to add a new adjustment layer. Just like any other layers, fill layers and adjustment layers can have their own blend mode, opacity, masks, etc. For direct raster layers, the pixel information is the only information we have. In indirect layers we can apply non-pixel operations, e.g. clipping masks and effects that reference other layers.
In PSD files, any layer can have the clipping mask option enabled. Here we can see a text layer containing Photopea, and the photo of grass on top of it, clipped to the text. The whole text demonstrates how clipping can reveal underlying shapes. In this part, we will focus on regular layers with raster images (pixel data). There are many tools to edit pixel data (Brush, Eraser, adjustments, filters). The selection defines a set of pixels that are "selected" and can be edited by tools, which give each pixel the value between 0% and 100%. For example, Photopea has the Fill operation (Edit - Fill). We can say that operations are applied inside the selection, and not outside of it. Once you have a selection, there are several basic operations for changing it: you can move the selection by clicking inside it and dragging it with any Selection tool, you can transform the selection, and there is a special button at the end of a toolbar which enables a Quick Mask Mode (you can also press Q). All editing, that you do, occurs within the active selection and/or on active layers.
How to create and manage fill and adjustment layers
- Open the top menu and choose Layer - New Fill Layer to add a solid color, gradient, or pattern fill layer.
- Open the top menu and choose Layer - New Adjustment Layer to apply grayscale, levels, curves, or other adjustments.
- For both fill and adjustment layers, adjust their blend mode, opacity, and mask to control how they affect the underlying image.
Fill layers provide flexible non-destructive edits since their parameters can be modified at any time without altering the original pixels. Adjustment layers similarly affect the appearance of the image while keeping the underlying data intact. This separation makes it easy to experiment and revert changes.
Working with selections and pixel operations
- The selection defines a set of pixels that can be edited by tools; edits apply only within this area unless you choose otherwise.
- The Fill operation (Edit - Fill) fills the active selection with the chosen color, gradient, or pattern.
- You can move or transform the selection by using the Selection tools and transform commands.
There are indirect and direct raster workflow distinctions. Direct raster layers hold pixel data that can be edited with brushes and erasers, whereas indirect/adjustment effects modify appearance through non-pixel-based operations. Quick Mask Mode (Q) helps refine selections with painting, converting it quickly back to a selection when finished.
Practical tips to maximize results with bucket-like fills
- Use solid color fills for strong color blocking or to create flat color looks.
- Gradient fills add depth when combined with layer masks and blend modes.
- Pattern fills are useful for textures and decorative elements in composition.
- Combine fill layers with clipping masks to apply fills only to specific layers or text.
- Adjust opacity and blend modes to achieve subtle integration with the background.
