stupid question- how to add multple photo layers

[jimf233]

I am haveing trouble adding multiple digital photos to as different layers on one project. When I open a new photo it comes up as the background on a new project. This must be very simple but I am not getting it.

[kevq]

Jim,
If you have one photo open, then you open another, double click the new photo and click OK. Then using the move tool drag it onto the first photo.
You should now have 2 layers.
Kev.

[Llist]

jimf233

Welcome to the forum... here's how I would do it...

Tile your photos so that you can see all of them (this button is located in the upper right hand part of the screen and you will only be able to see a little of each depending on how many you have.) Click v to make sure you have the move tool selected. Decide which photo you want as the main and then click and drag each of the other photos to it. Each time you click and drag PSE will create a new layer in your main photo for the photo you just moved to it...

Hope this makes sense and works for you...

Laura

[Llist]

Kev

We must have been typing at the same time... Once again, several different ways to accomplish the same thing. I don't know if I've ever tried your solution... I'll have to the next time I need to move one photo to another.

Laura

[msbrad]

Welcome,
No queston is stupid and we all have needed help learning.
Once you open the 2nd photograph, make sure to select tile or cascade. The little icon is on the top right of your screen looking like little boxes.
Then you can use the move tool (v) to drag the new image on top of your background you wish to use. This is where you will see a new layer in the layers palette box.
Chances are the sizing will be different, so you may need to use ctrl+t to get a box around it. Then when you can drag with the little handles to make it the correct size. If you also press the shift key, while dragging the handles, the photo will keep the same constraints.
I think this should help out. I'm not at the home computer now with the elements program, so it is from my head.
m

[kevq]

Laura,
two people, two ways.
I always double click to remove the background tag and make it a layer, Also I work in the maximise mode and drag photos onto other photos in the bin. With 5 you can drag from the bin into the main viewing area.
Kev:) :)

[Cmcburnett]

Kev, another good reason for buying PSE5. At present, the pros is ahead of the cons for buying the upgrade. My only hold back is the help menu in 5, seems to be some problems there. Didn't mean to hijack your thread Jim. Welcome to the Forum. You will learn lots of neat ways to work with images here.

[jimf233]

Thanks for all of the replys. It's nice to get such expert help so quickly and easly. I must say the answer wasn't as obvious as I thought it would be and should be. The good news is I don.t feel so stupid and I can now do it.

[smkunder]

I am having same problem as the writer, no matter what I seem to do when I try to move the new pic into the other the active layer changes to the one I try to move. I have tried tile ,cascade, turning off maximise, but whenever I click on the move file that becomes the background. Please help.

Steve

[Bayla]

Steve,

When you click on Tile or Cascade are you seeing more than one photo in the workspace?

If so then then you can move one on to the other - then then they should both show up in the layers palette, one as the background and one as layer 1.

Bayla

[smkunder]

I see both files but when ever I choose the move tool and click on that picture that I want to move that becomes the background photo in layers pallette. I am so confused.

[smkunder]

Well I know why I am so confused, I was using the hand tool instead of move tool, all is fine now. Talk about a brain fade, maybe I need to go lay down before I do anything else dumb.

Steve

[TexasRose]

Smkunder, I am just wondering if maybe you are using the hand tool, instead of the move tool. The move tool looks like an arrowhead with a directional cross to the side and below it.

I may be all wrong, but I remember trying to use the hand tool, thinking it was the move tool so often when I was a true newbie. Of course, I am soooo brilliant now!!! ;)

[Bayla]

Steve,

Don't worry, we've all done things like that....a favourite is to use the selection brush tool instead of the brush tool....don't know how many times I did that & couldn't work out where I was going wrong until I read about it on the forum.

Glad you sorted it out in the end!

Bayla

[smkunder]

TexasRose, you were right on that is exactly what I was doing. Thanks for the reply, and Bayla thank you also. I canot believe I was doing that, but I quess that is what this forum is for to help each other. Thanks again.

Steve;)

[photobuglady]

I to had the same question I just did not know how to explain my problem so thank you for asking now I can work with layers. Thank You