Which statement best describes non-destructive editing?

Which statement best describes non-destructive editing?

• A. It hides layers from view
• B. It compresses the file to smaller size
• C. It permanently alters the image when applying filters
• D. It allows edits without permanently changing the original pixels

Answer: (D)

Non-destructive editing means you can modify an image without changing the original pixel data. This approach keeps the original pixels intact so you can revise, remove, or tweak edits at any time. The best statement captures this idea: edits are made without permanently altering the original pixels. In practice, you achieve this with techniques like adjustment layers, which apply color and tonal changes on separate layers; layer masks, which control visibility without erasing pixels; and smart objects or smart filters, which allow effects to be adjusted or removed later without destroying the original image. Other options don’t fit as well because hiding layers affects visibility, not whether edits alter pixel data; compressing the file changes storage, not the editability of the pixels; and permanently altering the image when applying filters describes destructive editing, where edits become part of the base pixels.

Non-destructive editing means you can modify an image without changing the original pixel data. This approach keeps the original pixels intact so you can revise, remove, or tweak edits at any time.

The best statement captures this idea: edits are made without permanently altering the original pixels. In practice, you achieve this with techniques like adjustment layers, which apply color and tonal changes on separate layers; layer masks, which control visibility without erasing pixels; and smart objects or smart filters, which allow effects to be adjusted or removed later without destroying the original image.

Other options don’t fit as well because hiding layers affects visibility, not whether edits alter pixel data; compressing the file changes storage, not the editability of the pixels; and permanently altering the image when applying filters describes destructive editing, where edits become part of the base pixels.