Novice Photoshop 7 User

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I am constructing a single graphic out of several pictures. Most of which are originally formatted as JPEG. The indivdual pictures partially overlay each other. I need an overall transparent background and then a seamless overlay of each of the other pictures. Is there a way to accomplish this, and once completed, what foremat should the file be saved in to allow for modification at a later date? Thanks.

Your last question first: Save_As PSD. This allows you to go back.

Now, if I understand your need, then there isn’t a reason for a transparent overlay, or background.

Open, or create a background image. Open each of the other images, and Ctrl-a (Select All), Ctrl-c (Copy), then make your background image active, and Ctrl -v (Paste). Each of these images will come into the new composite, at their original size, so at this point, I’d Crtl-T (Free Transform) for each, size and drag to where you want them (you can always use the Move Tool later to align them precisely), then hit Enter to apply the Transform. If you need to Crop these images, just use the Marquee Tool (rectangular), click-drag to size the Selection, then click on the Make Layer Mask icon, at the bottom of the Layers Palette. I think that all of these steps was in v7.

In the Layers Palette, you will have your background image Layer, plus X Layers (# of images that you brought into your composite). I’d click on the Layer name (i.e. Layer 01, etc.) and rename them so you will know which Layer is which, when you finally go to do the moving to precise locations.

Once you have the arrangement as you think you will want it, Save_As PSD, then for output, you will probably Flatten, and Save_As xxx, or Save_For_Web, if that is where they’re going.

Hunt

EverythingButTheDog wrote:

I am constructing a single graphic out of several pictures. Most of which are originally formatted as JPEG. The indivdual pictures partially overlay each other. I need an overall transparent background and then a seamless overlay of each of the other pictures. Is there a way to accomplish this, and once completed, what foremat should the file be saved in to allow for modification at a later date? Thanks.

First all PS users should only work in a tiff or psd file format, that is to say photoshop file format. convert all files you are using to the same file, resolution etc. before even starting. I’m assuming you have each image on a seperate layer. next I’m assuming you are wanting an image mask to blend one image into another. PS 7 I beleive uses the gradient tool, using the first gradient selection and then dragging over the top layer to blend the bottom layer with the top. Several tries untill you get the desired effect you are looking for. Always save using a working file format such as Photoshop or Tiff. JPEG is not a working file format, it is a finished file format and is only used when the image is completed and ready to be burned to a CD or used on the web. Never worked in. Aways maintain your orginal image in Photoshop or Tiff so it can or parts of it can be used again.

Thanks, I’ll go to work on this right now and see that I understand what you have said. I really appriciate you taking the time to reply.

Thanks so much for your help, I am looking forward to putting this information to use at once.