Layer masks

[William Clifford]

Can you blend photos together like in CS by using layer masks?

[jwhitten]

Sort of...

Click on the bottom layer of two layers. Create a new adjustment layer. It doesn't matter what type and just click ok. If you hold down the Alt key and move your cursor between the top layer and adjustment layer, you will see a small left arrow and 2 circles overlapping. Click when you see that and you will create a layer mask.

Joe

[GaryK]

Hey William

Welcome to the forums

As well as the above method, Grant has some tools on his site that are fully functional with PE3 and somewhat with PE4. I do believe the layer mask works with 4 if that is the version you are using.

http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Tools/index.html

[Wendy]

Hi William ...

... and welcome to the forum :)

The instructions for installing Grant's tools are also on his site ... its a little more tricky than normal so it is worth reading through them :)

Wendy

[William Clifford]

I'm probably doing something wrong but it didn't work. I opened up 2 photos. I then moved one photo into the other which created a new layer. I clicked on the bottom layer. I chose an adjustment layer (levels) and clicked ok. I got an adjustment layer but when I paint on the mask it doesn't reveal the photo underneath. I tried both white and black. Any further suggestions. Thanks, Bill

[Daviskw]

Hi there
You may not have grouped the layers. You should have the adjustment layer between the picture layers. Then hold the Alt key down and move between the adjustment layer and the top layer. You will see a group icon then click, they will now be grouped. Click on the mask and you should be ok.

http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/8948/untitled15ov.th.jpg (http://img454.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled15ov.jpg)

Butch

[jwhitten]

It sounds like you left out a step. After you create the adjustment layer, you have to move your cursor between that layer and the layer on top of it as you hold down the Alt key on your keyboard. When your cursor is positioned between the layers, it will change to the left arrow and 2 overlapping circles. Clicking with your cursor potioned correctly will create the layer mask.

Here is a good tutorial for this: http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/elements/elemask.htm

Hope this helps

Joe

[Wendy]

Hi William ...

Did you group the adjustment layer with the image ?

Your layers palette should look like this:

http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1E1TpXIr0WfkSbXumb0hxdXLNtKzz

Wendy

[Daviskw]

lol.. we must have all been typing at the same time... what service!!!!

Butch

[Wendy]

Guess you both were typing faster than I was ... :)

Wendy

[ATR]

jwhitten,

The instructions that have been given are the best, but I am wondering if the block here for you is terminology and Alt clicking between the layers mentioned.

When grouping of layers has been questioned by the posters, that is really what is called "Group with Previous". That shortcut for getting there is great, but may be causing a bit of a hang up at this point. If that is the case, I would like to suggest a temporary way to get to Group with Previous without using that shortcut.

As said, bottom layer, just OK'd Adjustment layer in the middle, top layer.
Select the top layer, press Control G. You will see a shift to the right in the thumbnail of that layer.

Go back to the Adjustment layer, click on the layer mask, and paint away in black or white.

You can also get to Group With Previous through the Layer Menu.

Hope that helps. If not, we will go to plan B.

ATR

[ATR]

jwhitten,

I messed up with name on my sending. Message is for William Clifford.

Sorry.

ATR

[William Clifford]

Got it! Thanks for the help and thanks for the kind welcoming to the forum!!
Bill

[Lasse C]

Hi!
I just happened to read the question about blending two pictures with layer mask and got curious. It worked perfectly. Great tip! I didn't know it could be done in Elements. Very useful!

Thanks!
Lasse C

[TonyW]

Funnily enough I just got back from visiting my brother-in-law who had been considering buying CS2 because of all the things (including layer masks) that the photo mags he'd been reading said couldn't be done in Elements. A few lessons and he was able to do everything he wanted to do in Elements. I don't suppose Adobe would thank me but he certainly did :)

Tony

[Wendy]

Tony ..

I like that ... :)

Wendy

[Carbone]

Tony,

You know what, Adobe should thank you still! Because at 99$, it's a much more affordable application and, as such, it's easier to sell. Adobe can attract more PictureIt and PSP users with a 99$ app than a 799$ one :)

So, in a way, even if your cousin didn't buy PS CS2, if he spreads the word about how PSE is greater and better than the others, Adobe will still gain from this!

Ray

[NMarti]

Tony,
I think Adobe should be glad people are selling their program for them. I know 4 people who have bought Elements based on my recommendation and seeing what I have been able to do with it - and I'm not even that good yet!