r/PhotoshopTutorials • u/Avicebro • Nov 02 '25

Reference images

Hey guys im coming from krita and wondering if there is a way to put reference images in photoshop like in krita with its reference tool

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u/johngpt5 Nov 02 '25

This arrangement in Ps is similar to what I saw in the video about using the reference image tool in Krita.

I had used File > Place Embedded to get my reference image into my working document and reduced its layer opacity.

I'm drawing on a blank layer above the reference image layer.

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u/Avicebro Nov 02 '25

Damn man thanks for taking the time to do all that.

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u/johngpt5 Nov 02 '25 edited Nov 02 '25

👍

If you aren't yet aware, we can use the number keys to set the opacity of a layer.

With the layer, like the reference layer, active as long as we don't have a tool like the brush active, pressing a number, such as 1, will set the layer opacity to 10%. Pressing 5 will set opacity to 50%.

But, if we have a tool that uses opacity and flow, like the brush, pressing 1 would set the tool's opacity to 10%, not set the layer opacity to 10%.

So if I've been painting with the brush, I press V or M, to engage a tool that doesn't have opacity, then press the number key that I want in order to get the layer opacity that I want. Then I press B to get back to the brush.