GMetrix Exam GMetrix Photoshop: Layers and Selections 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which layer blending mode makes black pixels invisible and brightens the layer below based on the blend layer's luminosity?
- Multiply
- Screen (Correct answer)
- Overlay
- Soft Light
Correct answer: Screen
Screen mode inverts both layers, multiplies them, and inverts again — making black transparent and progressively brightening toward white.
Question 2: What happens when you Alt-click (Option-click on Mac) on the eye icon of a layer in the Layers panel?
- It locks the layer
- It toggles visibility of all other layers (Correct answer)
- It duplicates the layer
- It creates a layer group
Correct answer: It toggles visibility of all other layers
Alt/Option-clicking the eye icon hides all other layers and shows only the clicked layer (or restores all if already in solo mode).
Question 3: Which command converts a regular layer into a Smart Object?
- Layer > Rasterize > Layer
- Layer > Convert to Smart Object (Correct answer)
- Filter > Smart Filters > Enable
- Edit > Transform > Warp
Correct answer: Layer > Convert to Smart Object
Layer > Convert to Smart Object encapsulates the layer contents, preserving originals and enabling non-destructive Smart Filters.
Question 4: When using the Rectangular Marquee tool, holding which key constrains the selection to a perfect square?
- Alt
- Ctrl
- Shift (Correct answer)
- Tab
Correct answer: Shift
Holding Shift while dragging with the Rectangular Marquee constrains proportions to a 1:1 ratio, creating a square selection.
Question 5: What does the 'Merge Visible' command do compared to 'Flatten Image'?
- Merge Visible keeps hidden layers intact; Flatten Image discards them (Correct answer)
- Merge Visible discards hidden layers; Flatten Image keeps them
- Both commands produce identical results
- Merge Visible only merges linked layers
Correct answer: Merge Visible keeps hidden layers intact; Flatten Image discards them
Merge Visible (Shift+Ctrl+E) merges only visible layers into the lowest visible layer, leaving hidden layers untouched; Flatten Image merges everything and discards hidden layers.
Question 6: Which selection method is best for isolating an irregularly shaped object against a high-contrast background?
- Rectangular Marquee
- Magic Wand with low Tolerance
- Quick Selection tool (Correct answer)
- Single Row Marquee
Correct answer: Quick Selection tool
The Quick Selection tool intelligently finds and follows edges, making it ideal for irregular shapes against contrasting backgrounds.
Question 7: In the Layer Style dialog, which option adds a shadow that appears inside the layer's content boundary?
- Drop Shadow
- Inner Shadow (Correct answer)
- Bevel and Emboss
- Inner Glow
Correct answer: Inner Shadow
Inner Shadow creates a shadow effect within the layer's edges, giving the appearance of depth or a recessed look.
GMetrix Exam GMetrix Photoshop: Layers and Selections 2
Which layer blending mode makes black pixels invisible and brightens the layer below based on the blend layer's luminosity?