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Blending Layers

The blending mode defines how a layer interacts with layers behind it.

To choose a blending mode, use the Layers panel (Cmd-L).

Some blending modes are described below with examples. Information about others, that use Core Image filters, can be found on the Apple's web page:
http://developer.apple.com/documentation/graphicsimaging/Reference/CoreImageFilterReference/Reference/reference.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP30000136-SW71
The used filters belong to the "CICategoryCompositeOperation" group.

Examples here show how the blending mode of the top layer (active) affects the final image compared with the default settings. Two other layers are set to the Normal mode. Changing blending mode of several layers, you may get different results.

The Opacity parameter was set to 100% by all the layers. The active layer will be shown at 100% and 50% opacity. Changing the opacity of the top layer significantly changes the final image.

• Normal
• XOR
• Plus Darker
• Plus Lighter
• Source In
• Source Out
• Source Atop
• Destination Over
• Destination In
• Destination Out
• Destination Atop

By default, a new layer has the Normal blending mode and 100% opacity.

Normal

Layers appear in the original layering order.

^To the top

XOR

Parts of lower layers, that are overlaid by the top layer, are excluded. Parts of the top layer, that overlay other layers, are excluded too.

^To the top

Plus Darker

Parts of lower layers, that are overlaid by the top layer, became darker.

^To the top

Plus Lighter

Parts of lower layers, that are overlaid by the top layer, become lighter.

^To the top

Source In

Only those parts of the top layer remain visible, that overlay any lower layer. The rest is excluded.

^To the top

Source Out

Only those parts of the top layer remain visible that don't overlay any lower layer. The rest is excluded.

^To the top

Source Atop

Parts of the top layer, that don't overlay any lower layer, are excluded.

^To the top

Destination Over

Parts of the top layer, that overlay any lower layer, are excluded. Looks like the top layer is behind all others.

^To the top

Destination In

Only those parts of lower layers remain visible that lay behind the top layer.

^To the top

Destination Out

Only those parts of lower layers remain visible that are not overlaid by the top layer.

^To the top

Destination Atop

Only those parts of lower layers remain visible that are overlaid by the top layer. And parts of the top layer that don't overlay any lower layer stay visible. The rest is excluded.