Transparentcy woes!

[WillTheChopper]

I can't quiet seem to find the transparency button ...... Help! lol

Will

[Diana]

Hi Will,

There's no transparency button, as such.

Double click on the background layer to convert it to a regular layer. Then if you erase any of the background layer, the areas with no pixels will appear as a gray and white checkerboard pattern which signifies transparency.

Or if you turn off the visibility of the background layer by clicking on the eye beside the layer, then you'll be able to see any transparency you have in the layers above.

If you want to save an image and preserve its transparency, use File > Save As and in the format choices at the bottom of the dialog, choose PNG.

If you're saving something with a transparent background you want to use on a web page, use File > Save For Web and choose the GIF format, which generates a lower resolution image, but suitable for the web.

Here are some links to articles that may help you understand transparency in Elements:
http://www.cafepress.com/cp/learn/transparency_pe
http://www.easyelements.com/photoshop-transparency-checkerboard.html
http://www.mediacollege.com/adobe/photoshop/transparent/
(this one is a Photoshop article but most of it will apply to Elements)

Diana

[WillTheChopper]

While I appreciate that, The transparency Im speaking of is like making a photo fade into another photo kind of like this ........

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w277/WillyBman2007/internationalglory.jpg

[Goddess_of_Go]

What you want to do is lower the opacity of the item that you want to be able to see through.

Terri

[Byron Gale]

WillTheChopper,

Ah! What you seek is called "Opacity".

With two image layers in a single document, select the upper layer in the Layers palette, and, still in the Layers palette, change the Opacity setting until you see through the upper layer to your taste.

HTH,

Byron

[WillTheChopper]

it helps lol but how do i do that?? I've search high and low

[Diana]

Will, it's in the Layers Palette header. Make sure you have the layer active that you want to change Opacity for, then move the Opacity slider to the left. Here's an example:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1xEqw5RjqvZalSjEftCmXGzezBu73Y0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1xEqw5RjqvZalSjEftCmXGzezBu73Y0)

Here's a tutorial for an image like your example:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/printing/PSE_MaskBlendEP.htm

Hope this helps.

Diana

[ljameso1]

You can also use the background to transparent gradient on the top layer to fade in the effect.

[WillTheChopper]

Will, it's in the Layers Palette header. Make sure you have the layer active that you want to change Opacity for, then move the Opacity slider to the left. Here's an example:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1xEqw5RjqvZalSjEftCmXGzezBu73Y0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1xEqw5RjqvZalSjEftCmXGzezBu73Y0)

Here's a tutorial for an image like your example:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/printing/PSE_MaskBlendEP.htm

Hope this helps.

Diana

That helps! Thanks a lot Diana! I do believe this is the second time you have helped me out lol (Not saying the other didnt help out)

[WillTheChopper]

By the way that is a beautiful woman in that picture ^^

[Diana]

Thanks, Will. I took some senior year photos of this young lady - she is very photogenic.

Diana