Using an Image Layer

The Add Image command is a useful way to add one image on top of another in a Luminar project. There are many possible reasons to do this, including design and technical.

Loading a Texture Layer

The use of texture layers is quite a useful way to stylize an image.  You can use the Add New Image Layer command to place a texture above a photo.

1. Click the + symbol at the top of the Layers panel and choose Add New Image Layer….
   
2. Navigate to a texture layer on your hard drive and click the Open button to add the file to your document.  The layer is automatically named with the filename of the selected file.
3. To scale the texture, click on the action menu and choose Image Mapping. Select one of the three mapping options. 
   
   • You can Fit the image to the width or height
   • Scale to Fit to enlarge the image to fit the screen
   • Use Fill to distort the image to fill the screen.
4. Click the Blend menu to change the Blending mode for the Texture layer.
   
5. Drag the Opacity slider to refine the blending of the two layers.
   
   
   Remember, a texture must be an external file. As you adjust the blend mode and opacity of the texture layer, it will create many different creative effects. Each mode will have a different impact on your image based on the type and opacity you choose. Adding texture to your image can dramatically change the look and feel of your work, plus you may want to use a brush to apply the texture only in specific areas of your image.

*Note
Textures are not stored in Luminar. These files are located wherever you’ve saved them for usage. For easy access, we recommend keeping all of your textures in a consistent place on your hard disk.

Loading a Watermark or Logo Layer

A logo or watermark is an excellent way to brand an image before you post it to the Internet or make a print. You can use the Add Image command to place a watermark or logo above a photo.

Let’s learn how you can load a photograph or scan of a signature.  In this example, the image is black text on a white background.

1. Click the + symbol at the top of the Layers panel and choose Add New Image Layer…
   
2. Navigate to a logo or watermark on your hard drive and click the Open button to add the file to your document.  The layer is automatically named with the filename of the selected file.
   
3. To scale the texture, click on the action menu and choose Image Mapping.
4. To prevent unwanted distortion of the watermark or logo, choose Fit. 
5. Let’s turn the logo to white text over a black background.  We’ll do this by applying the Light tool to the logo layer.
6. Go to the advanced section of Light and choose Curves.
   
7. Invert the curve by reversing the white and black points.

8. To scale the watermark, choose the Layer Transform Tool or press Cmd + T (macOS) or Ctrl + T (Windows).
9. Click the Lock icon in the Info Bar to prevent unwanted distortion.
   
10. Drag a corner handle to resize the logo.  Drag in the center to position.  Resize and position the logo to taste
11. Click the Done button when satisfied to position the logo.
    
12. You can also experiment with different blending modes to remove the background color.  For example, you can use Screen to remove a black background and Multiply to remove a white background.