Creating adjustment layer from image

[Dave S]

Can anyone tell me if it's possible in Elements to create an adjustment layer from a previously existing monocrome image?

What I would like to do is combine two images, so that some parts of the final image are from one image, some are from the other, but most are a combination of the two.

I've created a monocrome image, where the sections that should be from the first image are black, those from the second image are white, and the merged parts are differing shades of grey. Now I thought I could just create a (levels) adjustment layer and copy this image into it to define how the ocpacity should vary over the area of one of the images, but it appears I can't copy it into the adj layer. Just pasting the levels image makes it a new layer (regular, not adjustment), and when I select all while editing the adj layer and do a "paste into selection", nothing gets pasted. In fact, even if I wanted to draw the adj layer by hand, I can't see what I'm doing in the main window (unless I apply the adj layer to another layer and watch its effects on that layer), as the content of the adj layer only shows up in the preview in the layers window. I can't hide the main layers to be able to view the adj layer in the main window.

Can anone help?

Thanks.

[David Asch]

Dave,

If I'm reading this correctly, try the following.

Select the entire source image (Ctrl A/Cmd A)
Copy it (Ctrl C/Cmd C)
Hold alt/opt and click the adjustment layer's mask thumbnail; the screen will turn white as you're now working on the mask visually.
Paste the copied image (Ctrl V/Cmd V)
Click another thumbnail to exit mask edit mode

Now paste a copy of the source image as a layer above the adjustment layer. Press Ctrl G/Cmd G to create a clipping group. You should now see both images overlaid, the top image only showing through where its mask allows.

To reverse the effect (negative), click the mask thumbnail again. Press Ctrl I/Cmd I.

[Dave S]

Fantastic, that did the trick.

Thanks.