Creating a Layer Comp Workflow
Advanced Layer Comp Workflow
In a past episode, we talked about using layer comps to save time when building out websites. Today I’m going to take a closer look at layer comps, and show you how they can change the entire look of your project. So lets say your client likes the layout… but ask you to change the color scheme. Lets also say our client doesn’t know exactly which colors to choose. Instead of picking just one, our client suggests several color schemes. Best way to do this (in a non-destructive way) is to use Layer Comps.
Step 1: Create a new layer comp.
First, save our project’s current state, so lets open up the layer comps palette and click the create new button. Lets go over these three check boxes.
Visibility keeps track of what layers turned on or off, position stores the location of your layers and appearance holds all of your layer style information.
So depending on how drastic you want your layout to change, you’ll need to check the appropriate boxes. In this example all use all three.
Step 2: Changing your layout.
Now that we’ve saved our current state, lets start changing stuff around! So once your happy with your changes, lets save it out as a new layer comp. So in the layer comp palette, create new, make sure to check those appropriate boxes checked and hit okay.
Now you can switch back and forth between your new layer comps. It’s pretty amazing switching thru layer comps like this. Sorta resembles Javascript Style Sheet switching.
Alright so with all that done. Let’s export these out. I’ll be using the “Layer Comps to Files” export script. If your on CS4, you’ll notice adobe added a few new file formats. Alright and with that, you’ve just created an advanced layer comp workflow. Take a moment to play around the position and appearance, try to create something totally different, thanks and cya next time.