Adding Layers

[April]

I want to put one photo on top of another. Even though the two photos are the same size, when I pull the second photo from the bin it's much smaller than my first photo. If I stretch it to be the same size, it's now distorted. What am I doing wrong?

[April]

Figured it out. I need to take the individual windows off of maximum and drag the picture from there (the window) instead of the from the photo bin.

[jjvera00]

When you drag and drop from the photo bin UP to your 2nd photo, you get what called a Smart Layer. It should be ok when you resize. To avoid the resizing, instead of dragging up, drag DOWN. Drag you photo from your work area and drag DOWN to the photo you which to place it that is in the photo bin.

[Priyanka Azad]

Hi,

When you drag an image from the bin onto another image - a smart object is created. Whats cool about a smart object is that you can upsize it to a large size (without the image getting pixelated). However, you would have to simplify the layer before performing operations like erasing pixels.

Smart objects is a functioanlity in Photoshop and this is a secret way of how Elements provides it.

[Alberta]

Hi,

When you drag an image from the bin onto another image - a smart object is created. Whats cool about a smart object is that you can upsize it to a large size (without the image getting pixelated). However, you would have to simplify the layer before performing operations like erasing pixels.

Smart objects is a functioanlity in Photoshop and this is a secret way of how Elements provides it.


I didn't realize that when you use a smart object it gives you that capability of increasing the size without the pixelation. Nice to know. I rarely if never use smartobjects since I am not really sure how to. Still in the mind set of using PSE5. I never upgraded to 6 just went from 5 to 7. I need to try and take the time to learn all the great upgrades in PSE7. I just get so busy I don't take the time to try them.

By the way, A big kudos to all of you who take the time to post your comments and tips to all of us who are just beginning on our journey into PSE. I appreciate reading them here and have learned so much. :rolleyes:

[jjvera00]

By the way, A big kudos to all of you who take the time to post your comments and tips to all of us who are just beginning on our journey into PSE. I appreciate reading them here and have learned so much. :rolleyes:

We were all beginners once. For me, I can better understand PSE by sharing what I know with others.

Pretty soon, you'll be given advice to other beginners down the road.

[Byron Gale]

I didn't realize that when you use a smart object it gives you that capability of increasing the size without the pixelation....
It does not do that, exactly.

A Smart Object allows you to return to the object's original quality after the object has been altered - even if it is a later editing session.

For instance, if you bring in a smart object, then drastically reduce the size of it, then save -- when you re-open the image, you can restore the object to its original size and it will return to its original quality. Doing this with a normal layer would probably result in pixellation.

However, if you import your Smart Object, and enlarge it greater than its original size - you will see the same pixellation you would if you were working with a normal layer. The difference being that if you reduce the Smart Object back down to its original dimensions it will be equal to its original quality.

Byron

[cats4jan]

Byron - thanks for that info about smart ogjects. I've been avoiding them because I've noticed it hinders some of the stuff I want to do and I'm scared of getting stuck with it as a smart object and not being able to move forward.

I have tried reading about what smart objects are, but there doesn't seem to be alot of information. Your explanation shows why it's a "good thing." LOL

[Wendy]

One thing they are really good for is when you add a photo to a scrapbook page .. it means you can add the photo, make it smaller then later change the size if you later want it larger :)

Wendy

[DesertScrapper]

I knew nothing about Smart Objects, now I do thanks to this thread.

I did figure out that if you do File>Place it will bring your photo to your work area as 'normal' size.