Help with layers please

[charlotteinkennesaw]

I have been doing this same action for awhile but all of a sudden it isn't working. I start by pressing ctl J to made a duplicate, then go under the filter menu and choose gausian blur at 10 pixels, click ok. Then press and hold the ctrl key and click once on the create a new layer icon to make a blank layer. Then click back on the top layer (blurred layer) and do ctl G to group them. Then hit D and B for brush and click on the blank layer and try to "paint". Nothing is happening..I don't see anything changing on the blank layer or the layer I am working on. Does having a "+" sign in my brush give you a hint about anything?? Your help is appreciated.

[JulieM]

Charlotte,

I think you are painting with the color replacement tool instead of the regular brush. When you hit "B" the tool cycles between the three nested tools, the brush tool, the impressionist brush tool, and the color replacement tool. Hit B once again to get to the Brush Tool or select it from the tool options on the left.

[jjvera00]

When you make a new layer, is it a transparent layer (not a solid color layer)? And when painting are you painting on the blank transparent layer.

Also, have you triend downloading either Grant's Tools or Elements+ ? What you are doing can easily be accomplished by using their Layer Mask.

[charlotteinkennesaw]

Thanks Julie and Johnny! I walked away from it for awhile and came back and tried again and everything worked as it should.
Didn't know that about the brush tool, having to hit it more than once to get the right one.
Johnny, I have the layer mask in Grant's tools but don't know what to do with it. Once i select it and hit "apply", then what?

Blessings,

Charlotte

[jjvera00]

The Layer Mask in Grant's Tools (or Elements+) is no different than the Layer Mask in an Adjustment Layer. So when doing you project try this:

1) Press Ctrl+J to duplicate you Layer
2) Go to Blur > Gaussian Blur (and blur as needed)
3) Go to Grant's Tool, double-click the Layer Mask icon or hit apply.

At this point you should have 2 Layers.
Layer A - Blurred Layer w/ Layer Mask
Layer B - Bottom Layer

So, everthing should be blurry. Now, on the top layer, the Layer Mask should be White. Click on the Layer Mask, then select the Brush Tool, and paint with Black what you want NOT to be blurry, this will reveal the Layer below.

Hope this helps.

[jjvera00]

Oh, by the way. The "plus" icon in the middle of your brush may also be due to the fact that under your Prefrences, you may have "Show crosshairs in Brush tip" checked.