Fill Layers
The options in the Layer > New Fill Layer menu allow you to add solid color, gradient, and pattern content to a layer. This is especially useful when combined with Vector Mask, as described in Chapter 15, “Collage.” If you don't want a fill layer to fill your entire document, then make a selection before creating one, which will create a layer mask. After a fill layer has been created, you can reset your foreground and background colors to black/white by pressing D. Then you can use the Eraser tool to hide the area and the Paintbrush tool to make areas visible again.
Solid Color Layer
Choosing Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color will bring up a dialog box that asks you to name the layer you're creating. Once you click OK, it will open the color picker, where you can specify the color that will be used for the solid color layer. After you've created one of these layers, you can double-click the leftmost thumbnail of the layer in the Layers palette to edit the color.
Gradient Layer
Choosing Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient will bring up a dialog box that asks you to name the layer; this will create a new layer that contains a gradient (Figure 3.52). The gradient is always editable by double-clicking the leftmost thumbnail in the Layers palette. If the Align with Layer check box is turned on, then the start and end points of the gradient are determined by the contents of the layer instead of the document's overall size.
Figure 3.52. The Gradient Fill dialog box.
Pattern Layer
Choosing Layer > New Fill Layer > Pattern allows you to create a new layer that contains a repeating pattern (Figure 3.53). I like to use this type of layer to add a brushed-aluminum look to a background. Then, if I ever decide to change the pattern, it's as simple as double-clicking the thumbnail in the Layers palette and choosing New Pattern from the drop-down menu.
Figure 3.53. The Pattern Fill dialog box.
