I'm pretty new to computer graphics and very new to Photoshop CS,but very eager to learn as much as I can. I've slowly been experimenting with it,but have not delved into using layers. I have come across many products here that I would love to use. My question concerns 2 products and how they differ. Basically the same product?? (One is offered in PSD Layer format,the other is offered as Photoshop CS Brushes.) Is it just a matter of preference in choosing the format or does each product offer different effects? Any info,tips,or suggestions would be extremely appreciated. This is also the very first forum I have ever participated in so I appologize if my question is a bit long or confusing in any way. I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thank you very much, Isyl.

Attached Link: Brushes on the Adobe Studio Exchange Thing

Welcome to Photoshop & Forums. You can learn a lot this way, I promise. The difference is enormous, actually. The simplest description: brushes is what you paint/draw with, layers are what you paint on. Look at layers as transparent paper you can stack on top of each other. So products that come in layers are like that. Most of the visual elements you see can be handled apart from each other. The layers with images can have different blend modes and transparancy (which determines how they interact with each other). You can add your own elements, or text or throw away layers, mirror them or do all kinds of wacky stuff with them. Brushes are another league. There are lot of free brushes around the net (do a google search for 'free PS brushes' and you will find them, they are also on the Adobe Exchange site (see link). There is lot of information there, if you are looking for starting points. Tutorials, actions, everything. You can easily make your own brushes, but a lot of people have done that for you already. Brushes can be used to build collages (they act like 'stamps' then), to add 'grunge' to borders (irregular 'dirty' stuff, dust, scratches) or artwork, or to simulate natural media. This kind of material is good to learn from. But it is also smart to learn how to use the software yourself (the internet is almost bursting with PS tutorials) before spending a lot of money on things you can create yourself. Feel free to ask anything you want!

It might help if you list the 2 products (with links) you are interested in. Then, maybe, a more specific reply could be made. Cheers!

Another difference between layers and brushes -- brushes are a one-color creature while layers can be in as many colors as possible. Plus, if you buy something as a layer, you can make a brush out of it, too, if you want to.

welcome to the forum Isyl, as hoof said "You can learn a lot this way". don't worry about asking questions whether they are short or long or even if you think they're "dumb" (the only dumb question is the one you don't ask... that and "Where can I got pirate software??", that question will get you tossed out on your ear, so i guess that qualifies as a "dumb question")

hopefully you've got an idea from the responses to your question to help you make a decision, but if you need more info or if something isn't clear, don't hesitate to ask, we're here 24 hours (sometimes even in a row)

:)
retrocity