Newbie Layers question (again)

C
Posted By
chris
Oct 10, 2005
Views
486
Replies
15
Status
Closed
Apologies but when I last posted this query a month ago, several people kindly responded, but all of their suggestions were fruitless. It was suggested that I make myself clearer. Please allow me to explain in simple terms (I should add that I am fully conversant with most programs but this particular problem has really got me stumped):
I want to use layers (for example) to use photo 1 as a background (of a river) and then use another picture (of a flower), so I can cut out the flower to superimpose it on the river picture. I assume this is what Layers is intended for?
I open picture 1 and it is automatically the background layer: no problem. I then save the file as a PSD file: No problem
I then create a new layer (Layer/New/Layer): No problem. This is where I am going insane………… HOW do I then put picture 2 onto the new layer so I can edit it?

Replies have told me to Copy and paste: But when I look in the browse window, as soon as I click on another photo, the first window disappears completely.
Even when I select another photo and then try to copy it, I go into the Edit menu, but "Copy" is greyed out! There is no option by right clicking to copy, so I’m once again stuffed.
Other replies have suggested the background pic is hidden behind another window: no it isn’t.

Anyone reading this obviously finds it easy to do. So what on earth am I doing wrong? For me, it’s been a nightmare. I have two books on Elements 2. The one that tells me how to create a new layer takes two pages just telling me to use Layer/New/Layer or use the icon in the Layers pallette. It does NOT tell me how to put a picture on the new layer!

Please please please, will someone tell me what I am doing wrong?

Thanks in desperation, Chrissssssss……….
Related Tags
layer newbie question

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CB
Captain Blammo
Oct 10, 2005
It should be easy. Open up picture 2 (having prepared picture 1) and *select what you want to copy* with the marquee tool (or just press ctrl-a), then press ctrl-c.

Now go back to picture 1 (creating a new layer isn’t necessary, pasting will create the new layer automatically) and press ctrl-v. If you can’t find picture 1, just go to Window->Documents, and you should find a list of all open files there, allowing you to bring the one you want to the front.

Hope that helps!

CB

"Chrisssssss………" wrote in message
Apologies but when I last posted this query a month ago, several people kindly responded, but all of their suggestions were fruitless. It was suggested that I make myself clearer. Please allow me to explain in simple terms (I should add that I am fully conversant with most programs but this particular problem has really got me stumped):
I want to use layers (for example) to use photo 1 as a background (of a river) and then use another picture (of a flower), so I can cut out the flower to superimpose it on the river picture. I assume this is what
Layers
is intended for?
I open picture 1 and it is automatically the background layer: no problem. I then save the file as a PSD file: No problem
I then create a new layer (Layer/New/Layer): No problem. This is where I am going insane………… HOW do I then put picture 2
onto
the new layer so I can edit it?

Replies have told me to Copy and paste: But when I look in the browse window, as soon as I click on another photo, the first window disappears completely.
Even when I select another photo and then try to copy it, I go into the
Edit
menu, but "Copy" is greyed out! There is no option by right clicking to copy, so I’m once again stuffed.
Other replies have suggested the background pic is hidden behind another window: no it isn’t.

Anyone reading this obviously finds it easy to do. So what on earth am I doing wrong? For me, it’s been a nightmare. I have two books on Elements

2.
The one that tells me how to create a new layer takes two pages just
telling
me to use Layer/New/Layer or use the icon in the Layers pallette. It does NOT tell me how to put a picture on the new layer!

Please please please, will someone tell me what I am doing wrong?
Thanks in desperation, Chrissssssss……….

C
chris
Oct 10, 2005
At last!!!!!!!
A thousand thank you’s to Captain Blammo.
It’s always so bloody simple when you know how.
A tiny thing, but on my version, there is no ‘Documents’ choice under the ‘Window’ menu, but I don’t care. I can find any pic without problems. Oh joy of joys, I can at last get on with my life (and wife!). Thinks…… must get out more…..much more!
I owe you a pint.
Thanks again!
Chrisssssss…….

"Captain Blammo" wrote in message
It should be easy. Open up picture 2 (having prepared picture 1) and *select
what you want to copy* with the marquee tool (or just press ctrl-a), then press ctrl-c.

Now go back to picture 1 (creating a new layer isn’t necessary, pasting will
create the new layer automatically) and press ctrl-v. If you can’t find picture 1, just go to Window->Documents, and you should find a list of all open files there, allowing you to bring the one you want to the front.
Hope that helps!

CB

"Chrisssssss………" wrote in
message
Apologies but when I last posted this query a month ago, several people kindly responded, but all of their suggestions were fruitless. It was suggested that I make myself clearer. Please allow me to explain in simple
terms (I should add that I am fully conversant with most programs but this
particular problem has really got me stumped):
I want to use layers (for example) to use photo 1 as a background (of a river) and then use another picture (of a flower), so I can cut out the flower to superimpose it on the river picture. I assume this is what
Layers
is intended for?
I open picture 1 and it is automatically the background layer: no problem.
I then save the file as a PSD file: No problem
I then create a new layer (Layer/New/Layer): No problem. This is where I am going insane………… HOW do I then put picture 2
onto
the new layer so I can edit it?

Replies have told me to Copy and paste: But when I look in the browse window, as soon as I click on another photo, the first window disappears completely.
Even when I select another photo and then try to copy it, I go into the
Edit
menu, but "Copy" is greyed out! There is no option by right clicking to copy, so I’m once again stuffed.
Other replies have suggested the background pic is hidden behind another window: no it isn’t.

Anyone reading this obviously finds it easy to do. So what on earth am I doing wrong? For me, it’s been a nightmare. I have two books on Elements

2.
The one that tells me how to create a new layer takes two pages just
telling
me to use Layer/New/Layer or use the icon in the Layers pallette. It does NOT tell me how to put a picture on the new layer!

Please please please, will someone tell me what I am doing wrong?
Thanks in desperation, Chrissssssss……….

CB
Captain Blammo
Oct 10, 2005
At last!!!!!!!
A thousand thank you’s to Captain Blammo.
It’s always so bloody simple when you know how.

Lol, no problem mate. Have fun with your newfound powers, and I’ll find out where you live and turn up demanding a pint sometime in the next six years <sinister silence> 🙂

CB
N
noone
Oct 11, 2005
In article <Ldz2f.106985$
ca says…
It should be easy. Open up picture 2 (having prepared picture 1) and *select what you want to copy* with the marquee tool (or just press ctrl-a), then press ctrl-c.

Now go back to picture 1 (creating a new layer isn’t necessary, pasting will create the new layer automatically) and press ctrl-v. If you can’t find picture 1, just go to Window->Documents, and you should find a list of all open files there, allowing you to bring the one you want to the front.
Hope that helps!

CB

"Chrisssssss………" wrote in message
Apologies but when I last posted this query a month ago, several people kindly responded, but all of their suggestions were fruitless. It was suggested that I make myself clearer. Please allow me to explain in simple terms (I should add that I am fully conversant with most programs but this particular problem has really got me stumped):
I want to use layers (for example) to use photo 1 as a background (of a river) and then use another picture (of a flower), so I can cut out the flower to superimpose it on the river picture. I assume this is what
Layers
is intended for?
I open picture 1 and it is automatically the background layer: no problem. I then save the file as a PSD file: No problem
I then create a new layer (Layer/New/Layer): No problem. This is where I am going insane………… HOW do I then put picture 2
onto
the new layer so I can edit it?

Replies have told me to Copy and paste: But when I look in the browse window, as soon as I click on another photo, the first window disappears completely.
Even when I select another photo and then try to copy it, I go into the
Edit
menu, but "Copy" is greyed out! There is no option by right clicking to copy, so I’m once again stuffed.
Other replies have suggested the background pic is hidden behind another window: no it isn’t.

Anyone reading this obviously finds it easy to do. So what on earth am I doing wrong? For me, it’s been a nightmare. I have two books on Elements

2.
The one that tells me how to create a new layer takes two pages just
telling
me to use Layer/New/Layer or use the icon in the Layers pallette. It does NOT tell me how to put a picture on the new layer!

Please please please, will someone tell me what I am doing wrong?
Thanks in desperation, Chrissssssss

And, along the same line, Open pic 1, then Open pic 2. Size the display, so that both are seen on your screen, and that pic 2 does not completely cover pic 1. Just drag the image Layer from pic 2 onto pic 1. This will create a new Layer in pic 1, containing the image from pic 2. You can then use Transform to alter the Scale of the new Layer, or do other things to it to match what you have in mind.

Hope this helps,
hunt
C
chris
Oct 11, 2005
And, along the same line, Open pic 1, then Open pic 2. Size the display, so
that both are seen on your screen, and that pic 2 does not completely cover
pic 1. Just drag the image Layer from pic 2 onto pic 1. This will create a new
Layer in pic 1, containing the image from pic 2. You can then use Transform to
alter the Scale of the new Layer, or do other things to it to match what you
have in mind.

Hope this helps,
hunt

Thanks for this suggestion BUT I have been told this before and for some reason there is no way I can show two pictures side by side at the same time!
I open pic 1 and make it nice and small, but the moment I click on pic 2, pic 1 is lost forever, never to be seen again (unless I open it again). It is NOT hiding behind pic 2.

So again, why is everyone telling me to do something that simply wont work? I appreciate your kindness but am again frustrated (perhaps that’s the reason 😉 ).

Thanks, Chrisssss……..
K
KatWoman
Oct 11, 2005
"Chrisssssss………" wrote in message
And, along the same line, Open pic 1, then Open pic 2. Size the display, so
that both are seen on your screen, and that pic 2 does not completely cover
pic 1. Just drag the image Layer from pic 2 onto pic 1. This will create a new
Layer in pic 1, containing the image from pic 2. You can then use Transform to
alter the Scale of the new Layer, or do other things to it to match what you
have in mind.

Hope this helps,
hunt

Thanks for this suggestion BUT I have been told this before and for some reason there is no way I can show two pictures side by side at the same time!
I open pic 1 and make it nice and small, but the moment I click on pic 2, pic 1 is lost forever, never to be seen again (unless I open it again). It is NOT hiding behind pic 2.

So again, why is everyone telling me to do something that simply wont work? I appreciate your kindness but am again frustrated (perhaps that’s the reason 😉 ).

Thanks, Chrisssss……..
I remember your orig POST and typed a very detailed anwer too on how to use the WINDOWS on your computer.
Since you didn’t get it then, and still don’t, I suggest you take the WINDOWS tutorial (HELP) The window you can’t see is behind the other, thats what the little symbols at the top right of EVERY window on your comp do.

The VIEW menu has many otions the one you need is TILE it will put as many documents as you have open in side by side windows. IN CS it is under Window>arrange

Or seek advice from a Mac user on sizing and minimizing your windows)
N
noone
Oct 12, 2005
In article <dih37l$30j$
..uk says…
And, along the same line, Open pic 1, then Open pic 2. Size the display, so
that both are seen on your screen, and that pic 2 does not completely cover
pic 1. Just drag the image Layer from pic 2 onto pic 1. This will create a new
Layer in pic 1, containing the image from pic 2. You can then use Transform to
alter the Scale of the new Layer, or do other things to it to match what you
have in mind.

Hope this helps,
hunt

Thanks for this suggestion BUT I have been told this before and for some reason there is no way I can show two pictures side by side at the same time!
I open pic 1 and make it nice and small, but the moment I click on pic 2, pic 1 is lost forever, never to be seen again (unless I open it again). It is NOT hiding behind pic 2.

So again, why is everyone telling me to do something that simply wont work? I appreciate your kindness but am again frustrated (perhaps that’s the reason 😉 ).

Thanks, Chrisssss

Chris,

It appears that you have a problem with your hardware, or software. On my systems I can open many large PSD’s at the same time. If you cannot Open two files simultaneously, then there is a problem. Give us an idea of your hardware, OS, size of files that you are attempting to Open, etc.

What people are telling you is the "standard" way to do something. If it is not working for you, something in your system is either amiss, or just not capable of handling these two files. What happens if you go to Window>Arrange>Tile Horizontally? Also, you do not have to be able to see 100% of each of these two files, only a portion, that you can Drag a Layer to. Maybe pick two smaller JPGs and see if you can keep both Open on your screen.

Hunt
N
noone
Oct 12, 2005
In article <dih37l$30j$
..uk says…
And, along the same line, Open pic 1, then Open pic 2. Size the display, so
that both are seen on your screen, and that pic 2 does not completely cover
pic 1. Just drag the image Layer from pic 2 onto pic 1. This will create a new
Layer in pic 1, containing the image from pic 2. You can then use Transform to
alter the Scale of the new Layer, or do other things to it to match what you
have in mind.

Hope this helps,
hunt

Thanks for this suggestion BUT I have been told this before and for some reason there is no way I can show two pictures side by side at the same time!
I open pic 1 and make it nice and small, but the moment I click on pic 2, pic 1 is lost forever, never to be seen again (unless I open it again). It is NOT hiding behind pic 2.

So again, why is everyone telling me to do something that simply wont work? I appreciate your kindness but am again frustrated (perhaps that’s the reason 😉 ).

Thanks, Chrisssss

Chris,

Also, going back to your original post in THIS thread (I must have missed the first one), you have done a few steps, that are not necessary. In your image (1), you do not need to create a new Layer, as one will be automatically created for you, when you Copy -> Paste. Now, to the Copy part: if Copy is greyed out, it is because you have not made a Selection to Copy. If you want all of image 2 to be atop the image in image 1, all you need to do is hit Ctrl-a (Select All), then you can Ctrl-c (Copy), and make image 1 active, hit Ctrl-v (Paste), and you will get a new Layer, with image 2 in it. This is provided that you are on Windows, and that, as I addressed in a previous reply, you don’t have a major limitation in having two images Open at the same time. If you do, then Open image 2 first, Ctrl-a, Ctrl-c, Ctrl-w (Close), Open image 1, and Ctrl-v. One caveat – the images should be the same size/rez, or your results might not be what you want, or expect.

Now, you should have the image from image 1 on "Background" and the image from image 2 on Layer 1. You will only see the top one, if you have the "eyeball" checked on both Layers. Try un-checking the eyeball of Layer 1 and you should NOW see the Background Layer.

How do you get only part of Layer 1 to be visible, so you can see much of the Background Layer? Create a Layer Mask. Several ways to do it, but a quick, easy approach would be to make a selection of part of the image in Layer 1, Invert this Selection, and go to Selection>Save Selection>Layer Mask Layer 1. You can paint in, or erase/paint out any part of this Mask that you want.

Hope some of this helps,

Hunt
T
Tacit
Oct 12, 2005
In article <dih37l$30j$>,
"Chrisssssss………" wrote:

I open pic 1 and make it nice and small, but the moment I click on pic 2, pic 1 is lost forever, never to be seen again (unless I open it again). It is NOT hiding behind pic 2.

So again, why is everyone telling me to do something that simply wont work? I appreciate your kindness but am again frustrated (perhaps that’s the reason 😉 ).

In that case, you have a serious computer problem. In every single version of Photoshop from version 1.0 all the way through CS2, on every single operating system that Photoshop has ever been written for, you can have multiple images open at the same time. If you open an image, then open another and the first image vanishes, you have a problem on your computer, and your copy of Photoshop is malfunctioning badly.

Open two images, then click on the Window menu. At the bottom of the Window menu, you should see all the images that you have open listed.

—
Art, photography, shareware, polyamory, literature, kink: all at http://www.xeromag.com/franklin.html
MR
Mike Russell
Oct 12, 2005
"Chrisssssss………" wrote in message
Thanks for this suggestion BUT I have been told this before and for some reason there is no way I can show two pictures side by side at the same time!
I open pic 1 and make it nice and small, but the moment I click on pic 2, pic 1 is lost forever, never to be seen again (unless I open it again). It is NOT hiding behind pic 2.

So again, why is everyone telling me to do something that simply wont work? I appreciate your kindness but am again frustrated (perhaps that’s the reason 😉 ).

Maybe this is it. Try pressing the F once or twice. This will rotate you through the various window modes, until you get to one that allows you to see multiple overlapping windows.
—

Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com
C
chris
Oct 12, 2005
Many thanks Cat Woman, I’ve followed all of your advice but it now looks like is may be corrupting install of the programme. I’m well aware of all the tiling options and it’s not the problem.
Thanks anyway.
Chrissss…….
C
chris
Oct 12, 2005
Dear all,

I have found what the problem is at last. When I double-click a file from the Browse page, the pic opens in FRONT of the Browse page. I never imagined that the second picture is opened BEHIND the browse page. I was moving the picture around in front of the browse page hoping to find the missing ones there. All I had to do was close the bloody browse page. It’s one of those stupid things that one seems to get a mental block about, but in my own defence, I have spent hours and hours trying everything but the right way!

I’m so grateful to all of you for your kind help. With so many responses all pointing to the same area, it had to be me!!!!!

Thanks again, Chrisssssss………
C
chris
Oct 12, 2005
Kat Woman,

Forget my last message and kindly see my last message on this thread.

Chrissss…….
N
noone
Oct 12, 2005
In article <dijaes$pae$
co.uk says…
Dear all,

I have found what the problem is at last. When I double-click a file from the Browse page, the pic opens in FRONT of the Browse page. I never imagined that the second picture is opened BEHIND the browse page. I was moving the picture around in front of the browse page hoping to find the missing ones there. All I had to do was close the bloody browse page. It’s one of those stupid things that one seems to get a mental block about, but in my own defence, I have spent hours and hours trying everything but the right way!

I’m so grateful to all of you for your kind help. With so many responses all pointing to the same area, it had to be me!!!!!

Thanks again, Chrisssssss

Glad you isolated the problem. I, for one, am used to working with a pair of large monitors in front of me, and when on the laptop, without second monitor, am constantly "losing" things, that would otherwise be just to my right, or left.

Now, did the suggestions for the image manipulation work for your project?

Hunt
C
chris
Oct 12, 2005
Now, did the suggestions for the image manipulation work for your project?
Hunt

Yes thanks. Looks like I’m flying at last!
Funny how such a simple thing can really cause problems. Again thanks Chrisss……

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