Using Layers versus version sets

[markzabel]

Excuse my ignorance here. When I edit a picture in PSE5, I save it in a version set. I have the edited version and the original. I can always go back to the original if need be.

What is so special about using layers (other than special effects)?

Doesn't the layered picture get to be a huge size? I am concerned about size as i take many pics.

In what format does elements save the layered picture?

Do I just use the top saved layer?

I'm a fairly good photographer and do a decent job in editing my pictures but i feel like I'm missing out on a secret cult.

Maybe someone can explain or point me to a detailed tutorial that will answer these questions
http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/images/misc/progress.gif

[adpower]

I can't answer for everyone, but for me, layers are used mostly not to preserve the original, but to get creative and to make an image easier to manipulate. For example, if I add some text to an image, it's automatically added as a separate layer and I can only save it as a jpg if I flatten it (eliminate the layering). While it's still in layers, I can still manipulate the text (change the font, wording, location, etc.). However, once I flatten it, I can't do anything with the text. It works similarly with other elements you're trying to add or manipulate. It's either more difficult or impossible to do it without layers.

If I'm making multiple types of changes to an image, I can make each one on a different layer. Then I can turn off and on layers at will (and delete them) to come up with the combination that I'm most happy with in the end.

You can also use layers to make similar changes to multiple photos. For example, if I isolate an image of a beach ball on a layer, I can then duplicate that layer and add it to a photo of a beach, a backyard pool, etc.

When an image is layered, you can't save in jpg. The default is psd format, but I don't know if there are other formats you can save in.

Yes, a psd file is typically much bigger than a jpg, tif, etc. But it's worth it to me to know that I can go back to it and make changes later. Besides, I can always save my photos on a cd, dvd, external hard drive, web storage, etc. and keep my main hard drive storage to a minimum. You really should do that anyway, or at least make sure to back up your photos and other files in case of a hard drive crash.

Hope this helped a little bit.

[DeltaZ]

I am able to convert the PSD format to JPEG during the saving.. Look carefully at one of the sequential pages during the save process.. AHA, click on JPEG, JPEG, JPEG.. and PSD goes to JPEG.. Most of my work has to go back to JPEG.. I am able to save the PSD corrected or changed photos in the JPEG form by this process.. Delta