Layers frustrations!!!

[naahs71]

Its been a mniute since I've had the chance to use PS 5. Im trying to knock the rust off. Im simply trying to work on a edit document and using layers. 1. I selected the image I want as my background 2. I then open the next image I wish to use as a layer. For whatever reason when opening addt'l photos/image its opens as background to an entirely new project and not as a layer to merge/add to my original photo. Any settings to check or missed step. Any help is appreciated. Thank You

[jjvera00]

When you open files, they will be opened as their own background layer. What you need to do is drag one of the background layers to another background layer. Then you will have 2 layers, the one you dragged and the background layer.

[Hankw]

Jjvera's right, but remember that you should view the pictures in Cascade or tile mode in order to see both or however many you drag onto work area.

[Hankw]

JJ--- Forgot to mention.........Love your galleries.Really liked your Village one.

[naahs71]

Thank you both for your response....Now I can get down to business !!

[JonE]

Actually naahs was right - when you open an additional image, it opens its own work space and sets of layers. To get that photo into the first work space:

1. Open the 1st and 2nd photos.
2. In the 2nd photo work space, select all (Ctrl-A), and copy (Ctrl-C).
3. Switch to the 1st photo workspace.
4. Select paste (Ctrl-V).

The 2nd photo will then be a layer in the 1st photo work space.

If you only want a cutout of a portion of the 2nd photo, you can make the cutout first, then copy and paste into the 1st work space.

[JonE]

Ah well, JJ was right too but you can only drag a layer from one photo to another if you can see both photos' work spaces on the screen. For this you have to be in cascade or tiled mode, go to Window>Images>Cascade (or Tile). These are the steps in PSE6.

[cats4jan]

I love to work in Cascade mode - I always drag and drop. After you drag your photo onto your project, you can always close that photo or minimize it to the photo bin to keep the edit space clutter free.

And remember, those windows where each opened photo resides in your workspace with "cascade" - are all movable like any window - just grab it at the top and drag it aside to better see what's underneath it.