The table describes each of the blend modes. In the table, “selected layer” refers to the layer for which you are setting the blend mode.
|
Blend Mode |
Result |
|
Normal |
Displays pixels of underlying layers based on the opacity of pixels on the selected layer. If data is fully opaque, no pixels show through. As the opacity decreases, more pixels from underlying layers show through. |
|
Darken |
Displays pixels in the selected layer that are darker than the underlying layers. Pixels lighter than the underlying layers disappear. |
|
Lighten |
Displays pixels in the selected layer that are lighter than the underlying layers. Pixels darker than the underlying layers disappear. |
|
Hue |
Applies the hue of the selected layer to the underlying layers (without changing the saturation or lightness). This blend mode was introduced in Paint Shop Pro 8, and is an improvement on the original Hue blend mode (Hue (Legacy)). |
|
Hue (Legacy) |
This blend mode was first introduced in version 5 of Paint Shop Pro, and functions similarly to the Hue blend mode. It is retained for the sake of compatibility with older versions of Paint Shop Pro. |
|
Saturation |
Applies the saturation of the selected layer to the underlying layers (without affecting the hue or lightness). This blend mode was introduced in Paint Shop Pro 8, and is an improvement on the original Hue blend mode (Saturation (Legacy)). |
|
Saturation (Legacy) |
This blend mode was first introduced in version 5 of Paint Shop Pro, and functions similarly to the Saturation blend mode. It is retained for the sake of compatibility with older versions of Paint Shop Pro. |
|
Color |
Applies the hue and saturation of the selected layer to the underlying layers (without affecting the lightness). This blend mode was introduced in Paint Shop Pro 8, and is an improvement on the original Color blend mode (Color (Legacy)). |
|
Color (Legacy) |
This blend mode was first introduced in version 5 of Paint Shop Pro, and functions similarly to the Color blend mode. It is retained for the sake of compatibility with older versions of Paint Shop Pro. |
|
Luminance |
Applies the luminance (or lightness) of the selected layer to the underlying layers (without affecting the hue or saturation). This blend mode was introduced in Paint Shop Pro 8, and is an improvement on the original Luminance blend mode (Luminance (Legacy)). |
|
Luminance (Legacy) |
This blend mode was first introduced in version 5 of Paint Shop Pro, and functions similarly to the Luminance blend mode. It is retained for the sake of compatibility with older versions of Paint Shop Pro. |
|
Multiply |
Combines the colors of the selected layer with the underlying layers to produce a darker color. Multiplying any color with black produces black. Multiplying any color with white leaves the color unchanged. |
|
Screen |
Lightens the colors of underlying layers by multiplying the inverse of the selected and underlying layers. The result is a color that is the same or a lightened version of the selected layer. |
|
Dissolve |
Randomly replaces the colors of some pixels on the selected layer with those of the underlying layers to create a speckled effect. The selected layer’s opacity determines the number of pixels replaced; the lower the opacity, the more pixels that are replaced. |
|
Overlay |
Combines the Multiply and Screen blend modes. If the color channel value of underlying layers is less than half the maximum value, the Multiply blend mode is used. If the color channel value is greater than or equal to half the value, the Screen blend mode is used. The Overlay blend mode shows patterns or colors of the selected layer while preserving the shadows and highlights of underlying layers. |
|
Hard Light |
Combines the Multiply and Screen blend modes. If the color channel value of the selected layer is less than 128, the Multiply blend mode is used. If the color channel value is greater than or equal to 128, the Screen blend mode is used. In general, use the Hard Light blend mode to add highlights or shadows. |
|
Soft Light |
Combines the Burn and Dodge blend modes. If the color channel value of the selected layer is less than 128, the Burn blend mode is used. If the color channel value is greater than or equal to 128, the Dodge blend mode is used. In general, use the Soft Light blend mode to add soft highlights or shadows. |
|
Difference |
Subtracts the selected layer’s color from the color of the underlying layers. |
|
Dodge |
Lightens the image by having the lightness values of the colors in the selected layer lighten the colors of underlying layers. Light colors produce the most lightening; black has no effect. |
|
Burn |
Darkens the image by having the lightness values of the selected layer reduce the lightness of underlying layers. |
|
Exclusion |
Creates an effect similar to but softer then the Difference blend mode. |