Layers with Photoshop Elements 4.0

Working with Layers in Adobe's Photoshop Elements 4.0

When working in Adobe Photoshop Elements, one of the first things you have to learn about is layers. When you start a blank project or image the white background that you start with is your first layer, or titled background. When you add to this you can do one of two things, you can add right on top of this layer or you can use other layers for your drawing, images or touch ups so that later on you can add or import things into the background.

Each layer is like a page stacked up on top of each other made of totally clear paper that you can draw on. The background is your clean white paper that you start with. You can add many layers when your working so that you can do certain things to a layer and if you don't like it or if you want to move those things around, it will not affect the rest of your image.

For instance, if you have a photo of a friend or family member and you want to add some palm trees and a beach, you would do this on a new layer so you could edit the trees and move them where you want them without disturbing the rest of the picture. You would also want the beach separate from the people and the trees so you could adjust them on their own. You can choose a layer and do things only to that layer and it will not alter the other layers or you can adjust and alter all the layers at the same time.

On the side space of the editing window is the smaller working windows; How To, Styles and Layers. The layer window is the one that you will be using to make sure your editing the correct layer and not the others. So when you work with layers you have to make sure your using the right layer, or your drawing on the one you don't want to. After you get to working with Elements awhile it will become second nature to glance at the layers window to ensure your working on the correct layer.