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Convert the Background layer into a regular layer, Make a layer the Background layer, Editing layers

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USING PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 10 66 Using layers Convert the Background layer into a regular layer The Background layer is the bottom layer in an image. Other layers stack on top of the Background layer, which usually (but not always) contains the actual image data of a photo. To protect the image, the Background layer is always locked. If you want to change its stacking order, blending mode, or opacity, you must first convert it into a regular layer. 1 In the Edit workspace, do one of the following: • Double-click the Background layer in the Layers panel. • Choose Layer > New > Layer From Background. • Select the Background layer, and choose Duplicate Layer from the More menu in the Layers panel to leave the Background layer intact and create a copy of it as a new layer. You can create a duplicate layer of the converted Background layer no matter how you convert the layer; simply select the converted Background layer and choose Duplicate Layer from the More menu. 2 Name the new layer. If you drag the Background Eraser tool onto the Background layer, it is automatically converted into a regular layer, and erased areas become transparent. Make a layer the Background layer You can't convert a layer into the Background layer if the image already has a Background layer. In this case, you must first convert the existing Background layer into a regular layer. 1 In the Edit workspace, select a layer in the Layers panel. 2 Choose Layer > New > Background From Layer. Any transparent areas in the original layer are filled with the background color. Editing layers Select a layer Any change you make to an image only affects the active layer. If you don't see the desired results when you manipulate an image, make sure that the correct layer is selected. ❖ In the Edit workspace, do one of the following: • In the Layers panel, select a layer's thumbnail or name. • To select more than one layer, hold down Ctrl (Command in Mac OS) and click each layer. To select layers interactively as you use the Move tool, select Auto Select Layer in the options bar. To see which layer will be highlighted, select Show Highlight On Rollover. Drag to select multiple layers at a time. More Help topics "Understanding layers" on page 62 "Select all opaque areas in a layer" on page 75 "Copy selections with the Move tool" on page 108 Last updated 1/2/2012

Section	Page
Legal notices	2
Contents	3
Chapter 1: Getting started	7
System requirements	7
Installing/uninstalling Adobe Photoshop Elements	7
Install from disc	7
Install downloaded software	7
Convert a trial version to a licensed (purchased) version	7
Can I have more than one version installed?	7
Uninstall Photoshop Elements	8
Creating an Adobe ID	8
Registering your software	8
Supported software and hardware	8
What’s new in Adobe Photoshop Elements 10	8
Converting a catalog from a previous version	8
Show previously converted catalogs	9
Help resources	9
Welcome screen	9
Other getting started sources	9
Adobe Photoshop Elements Help	9
Help menu	10
Provide feedback on the product/post useful tips and tricks	10
Troubleshooting tips	10
Ask experts	10
Support for How-to questions	11
Customer support for product orders, installation, and activation	11
Elements Organizer and Photoshop Elements	11
Importing and organizing photos and video clips	11
Use the Photo Downloader to download files	12
Organizing your photos and video clips	12
Create a catalog	13
Create an album	13
Finding photos and video clips	14
Find the actual file of a photo or video clip	14
Creating photo projects	15
Create and share a slideshow (Windows only)	15
Fixing (editing) photos	16
Crop a photo	16
Resize a photo	16
Fix photos in the Organize workspace	16
Open photos in Full, Quick, or Guided editing modes	16
Making precise selections	17
Create photo effects with Guided Edits	17
Saving your edits	18
Printing and sharing photos	18
Print from Elements Organizer (Windows only)	18
Print online	18
Share photos using email	19
Back up/synchronize files	19
View Backup/Synchronization activity status	20
Start backup and synchronization activity manually	21
Chapter 2: Photoshop Elements workspace	22
About workspaces	22
The Welcome screen	22
The Edit workspace	23
Launch the Elements Inspiration Browser	25
Use context menus	25
Using keyboard commands and modifier keys	25
Exit Photoshop Elements	25
Tools	26
About the toolbox	26
Select a tool	27
Set Edit preferences	28
Set the appearance of a tool pointer	28
Resize or change the hardness of painting cursors by dragging	28
Set tool options	29
Set a completed operations alert	29
Panels and bins	29
About panels	29
Work with panels in the Edit worspace	30
Use the Project Bin in the Edit workspace	32
Multitouch support	33
Using Windows 7 features	34
Use Application frames on Mac	34
Undo, redo, and cancel	35
Undo, redo, or cancel operations	35
Using the Undo History panel while editing	35
Revert to the last saved version	36
Revert to a previous state of an image	36
Delete one or more states from the Undo History panel	36
Clear memory used by the clipboard and the Undo History panel	36
Restore default preferences	37
Redisplay disabled warning messages	37
Scratch disks and plug-ins	37
About scratch disks	37
Change scratch disks	38
About plug-in modules	38
Install plug-in modules	38
Select an additional plug-ins folder	38
Chapter 3: Working in Photoshop Elements	40
Opening files in the Edit workspace	40
Create a new blank file	40
Open a file	40
Open a file in an Application Frame (Mac OS)	41
Open a recently used file	41
Specify the file format in which to open a file	41
Open a PDF file	41
Open an EPS file	42
Place a PDF, Adobe Illustrator, or EPS file in a new layer	43
Process multiple files	44
Close a file	45
Importing in the Edit workspace	45
Import frames from video	45
Import images from a digital camera using WIA (Windows only)	45
File information	46
About file information (metadata)	46
View or add file information in the Edit workspace	46
Use the Info panel in the Edit workspace	47
Set color modes and units of measurement in the Info panel	47
Display file information in the Info panel or status bar	48
Save or delete metadata templates in the Edit workspace	48
Use a saved metadata template in the Edit workspace	48
Viewing images in the Edit workspace	49
Viewing images in Full Edit or Quick Fix	49
Zoom in or out	49
Display an image at 100%	50
Fit an image to the screen	50
Resize the window while zooming	50
Using the Navigator panel	51
Open multiple windows of the same image	51
View and arrange multiple windows	51
Close windows	52
Guides, grids, and rulers	52
About rulers, grids, and guides	52
Change the rulers’ zero origin and settings	52
Change the grid settings	53
Change the guide settings	53
Saving and exporting images	53
About saving images and file formats	53
File formats for saving	54
Save changes in different file formats	55
Change file-saving options	55
Save a file in GIF format	56
Save a file in JPEG format	56
Save a file in Photoshop EPS format	57
Save a file in Photoshop PDF format	57
Save a file in PNG format	57
Save a file in TIFF format	58
Understanding file compression	58
Set file-saving preferences	58
Guided Edit	59
Use the Guided Edit options	60
The Crop Photo Guided Edit	60
The Recompose Photo Guided Edit	60
The Rotate And/Or Straighten Guided Edit	60
The Sharpen Photo Guided Edit	60
The Lighten Or Darken Guided Edit	60
The Brightness And Contrast Guided Edit	61
The Adjust Levels Guided Edit	61
The Enhance Colors Guided Edit	61
Adding custom content	61
The Remove A Color Cast Guided Edit	61
The Correct Skin Tone Guided Edit	61
The Touch Up Photo Guided Edit	61
The “Guide For Editing A Photo” Guided Edit	62
The Fix Keystone Distortion Guided Edit	62
The Photomerge Group Shot Guided Edit	62
The Photomerge Faces Guided Edit	62
The Photomerge Scene Cleaner Guided Edit	62
The Photomerge Exposure Guided Edit	62
The Photomerge Style Match Guided Edit	62
The Automated Action Player Guided Edit	62
Install actions created in Photoshop	63
The Line Drawing Guided Edit	63
Add a Lomo camera effect	63
The Old Fashioned Photo Guided Edit	63
The Saturated Slide Film Effect Guided Edit	63
Depth of Field effect	63
Simple method	63
Custom method	64
Create an Out of Bounds effect	64
Split an image into multiple snapshots	65
Apply the Orton Effect	65
Create a perfect portrait	65
Transform an image into pop art	66
Add a reflection	66
Chapter 4: Using layers	68
Creating layers	68
Understanding layers	68
About the Layers panel	69
Adding layers	70
Create and name a new blank layer	71
Create a new layer from part of another layer	71
Convert the Background layer into a regular layer	72
Make a layer the Background layer	72
Editing layers	72
Select a layer	72
Show or hide a layer	73
Resize or hide layer thumbnails	73
Lock or unlock a layer	73
Rename a layer	73
Simplify a layer	74
Delete a layer	74
Sample color from all visible layers	74
Copying and arranging layers	75
Duplicate a layer within an image	75
Duplicate one or more layers in another image	75
Copy a layer from one image to another	76
Move the content in a layer	77
Change the stacking order of layers	77
Link and unlink layers	78
Merge layers	78
Merge layers into another layer	79
Flatten an image	80
Opacity and blending modes	80
About opacity and blending options in layers	80
Specify the opacity of a layer	81
Specify a blending mode for a layer	81
Select all opaque areas in a layer	81
Customize the transparency grid	82
Adjustment and fill layers	82
About adjustment and fill layers	82
Create adjustment layers	83
Create fill layers	84
Edit an adjustment or fill layer	84
Merging adjustment layers	85
Edit the layer masks	85
Layer masks	86
About layer masks	86
Add a layer mask to an image	86
Clipping masks	86
About layer clipping masks	86
Create a clipping mask	87
Remove a layer from a clipping mask	87
Release clipping mask	88
Layer styles	88
About layer styles	88
Work with layer styles	89
Apply a layer style	89
Hide or show all layer styles in an image	90
Edit a layer’s style settings	90
Change the scale of a layer style	90
Copy style settings between layers	90
Remove a layer style	90
Chapter 5: Camera raw files	91
Processing camera raw image files	91
About camera raw image files	91
Open and process camera raw files	92
Adjust sharpness in camera raw files	92
Reducing noise in camera raw images	93
Save changes to camera raw images	93
Open a camera raw image in the Edit workspace	94
Settings and controls	94
Camera raw controls	94
Set custom camera settings	94
Color and camera raw	95
Using the histogram and RGB values in camera raw	95
White balance controls for camera raw	95
Tonal and image adjustments in camera raw files	96
Chapter 6: Selecting parts of an image	99
Making selections	99
About selections	99
About the selection tools	100
Use the Rectangular and Elliptical Marquee tools	100
Use the Lasso tool	101
Use the Polygonal Lasso tool	101
Use the Magnetic Lasso tool	102
Use the Magic Wand tool	103
Use the Quick Selection tool	104
Use the Selection Brush tool	105
Use the Magic Extractor	106
Delete a selected area	107
Select and deselect areas using commands	108
Modifying selections	108
Move a selection border	108
Invert a selection	108
Add to or subtract from a selection	109
Select an area that intersects an existing selection	109
Expand or contract a selection by a specific number of pixels	109
Frame an existing selection with a new selection border	110
Include areas of similar color in a selection	110
Remove stray pixels from a color-based selection	111
Defringe a selection	111
Smoothing selection edges with anti-aliasing and feathering	112
Smooth the edges of a selection by anti-aliasing	112
Blur the edges of a selection by feathering	112
Define a feathered edge for a selection tool	112
Define a feathered edge for an existing selection	112
Moving and copying selections	113
Move a selection	113
Move tool options	113
Copying selections or layers	114
Copy selections with the Move tool	114
Copy a selection using commands	114
Paste one selection into another	114
Saving selections	115
Save, load, or delete a selection	115
Modify a saved selection	116
Modify a new selection with a saved selection	117
Chapter 7: Color and tonal correction	118
Color and tonal correction basics	118
Color correction overview	118
Correct color in Quick Fix	118
Quick Fix preview	119
Fix photos with Touch Up buttons in the Quick Fix Tools panel	121
Quick Fix and Edit workspace options	121
Correcting color in Full Edit	122
Automatically correct lighting and color	124
About histograms	124
View a histogram	126
Adjusting shadows and light	127
Adjust color and tonality using the Smart Brush tools	127
Apply the Smart Brush tools	130
Modify Smart Brush tool correction settings	131
Change the Smart Brush tool correction preset	131
Delete a Smart Brush tool correction	131
Smart Brush pop-up panel	131
About Levels adjustments	131
Improve shadow and highlight detail	132
Adjust shadows and brightness using Levels	133
Adjust brightness and contrast in selected areas	134
Quickly lighten or darken isolated areas	135
Quickly saturate or desaturate isolated areas	136
Correcting color casts	136
Correct color casts by comparing variations of an image	136
Remove a color cast automatically	138
Remove a color cast using Levels	138
Adjust color curves	139
Adjusting color saturation and hue	140
Adjust saturation and hue	140
Change color saturation or hue	140
Modify the range of Hue/Saturation sliders	141
Adjust the color of skin tone	142
Adjust saturation in isolated areas	143
Change the color of an object	143
Precisely convert to black and white	144
Automatically convert to black and white	145
Add custom presets for black and white conversion	145
Add color to a grayscale image	145
Adjustment filters	146
Apply the Equalize filter	146
Apply the Gradient Map filter	146
Apply the Invert filter	147
Apply the Posterize filter	147
Apply the Threshold filter	148
Apply the Photo filter	149
Chapter 8: Crop an image�Cropping, resizing, retouching, and transforming photos	151
Cropping	151
Crop an image	151
Crop to a selection boundary	152
Using guides for better cropping results	153
Use the Cookie Cutter tool	153
Change the size of the canvas	154
Straighten an image	155
Manually straighten an image	155
Automatically straighten an image	156
Divide a scanned image containing multiple photos	156
Resizing	157
About image size and resolution	157
About monitor resolution	158
Display the image size of an open file	159
View the print size on-screen	159
Change print dimensions and resolution without resampling	159
Resample an image	159
Retouching	161
Precisely remove red eye	161
Remove spots and unwanted objects	162
Remove spots and small imperfections	162
Remove unwanted objects with content-aware healing	162
Fix large imperfections	163
Clone images or areas in an image	164
Replace colors in an image	166
Blur or soften edges	166
Correct camera distortion	167
Use Photomerge Group Shot	169
Use Photomerge Faces	170
Use Photomerge Scene Cleaner	171
Photomerge Exposure	173
Automatic Photomerge Exposure	174
Manual Photomerge Exposure	175
Photomerge Style Match	175
Sharpening	177
Sharpening overview	177
Sharpen an image	178
Automatically sharpen an image	178
Sharpen areas of an image	178
Precisely sharpen an image	179
Use the Unsharp Mask filter	179
Transforming	180
Rotate or flip an item	180
Freely rotate an item	181
Scale an item	182
Skew or distort an item	182
Apply perspective to an item	183
Freely transform an item	183
Apply a transformation to a Background layer	184
Recomposing	184
Recompose a photo in Guided Edit	185
Recompose a photo in Full Edit	186
Recompose a photo in a photo project	187
Recompose options	187
Stitching together panoramas	188
Creating photomerge panoramas	188
Create a Photomerge panorama composition	189
Create a Photomerge panorama interactively	190
The Photomerge dialog box for interactive layouts	190
Change the vanishing point in a Photomerge panorama	191
Chapter 9: Understanding color	192
Understanding color	192
About color	192
HSB model	192
RGB model	193
Color wheel	193
Using image modes and color tables	194
About image modes	194
Convert an image to bitmap mode	195
Convert a bitmap-mode image to grayscale	196
Convert an image to indexed color	196
Edit colors in an indexed-color table	198
Assign transparency to a single color in an indexed-color table	198
Use a predefined indexed-color table	198
Save or load an indexed-color table	198
Setting up color management	199
About color management	199
Profiling devices	200
Color management tasks	200
Set up color management	200
Convert color profile	201
Chapter 10: Filters, effects, styles, and artwork	202
Effects	202
Using the Effects panel	202
Using the Content panel	202
Add stylized shapes or graphics to an image	203
Add an artistic background to an image	204
Add a frame or theme to an image	204
About photo effects	204
Apply an effect	205
Add stylized text to an image	206
Add artwork or effects to Favorites	206
Filters	206
About filters	206
Apply a filter	208
Filter categories	209
Filter Gallery	210
Texture and glass surface options	211
Improve performance with filters and effects	211
Artistic filters	211
Colored Pencil	211
Cutout	212
Dry Brush	212
Film Grain	212
Fresco	212
Neon Glow	212
Paint Daubs	212
Palette Knife	212
Plastic Wrap	212
Poster Edges	212
Rough Pastels	213
Smudge Stick	213
Sponge	213
Underpainting	213
Watercolor	213
Blur filters	213
Average	213
Blur and Blur More	213
Gaussian Blur	214
Motion Blur	214
Radial Blur	214
Smart Blur	214
Surface Blur	214
Brush Stroke filters	215
Accented Edges	215
Angled Strokes	215
Crosshatch	215
Dark Strokes	215
Ink Outlines	215
Spatter	215
Sprayed Strokes	215
Sumi-e	215
Distort filters	216
Diffuse Glow	216
Displace	216
Apply the Displace filter	216
Glass	216
Liquify	217
Apply the Liquify filter	217
Ocean Ripple	218
Pinch	218
Apply the Pinch filter	218
Polar Coordinates	218
Ripple	218
Shear	218
Apply the Shear filter	219
Spherize	219
Apply the Spherize filter	219
Twirl	219
Wave	219
Apply the Wave filter	219
ZigZag	220
Apply the ZigZag filter	220
Noise filters	220
Add Noise	220
Despeckle	221
Dust & Scratches	221
Median	221
Reduce Noise	221
Pixelate filters	221
Color Halftone	221
Apply the Color Halftone filter	221
Crystalize	222

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USING PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 10

Using layers

Last updated 1/2/2012

Convert the Background layer into a regular layer

The Background layer is the bottom layer in an image. Other layers stack on top of the Background layer, which usually

(but not always) contains the actual image data of a photo. To protect the image, the Background layer is always locked.

If you want to change its stacking order, blending mode, or opacity, you must first convert it into a regular layer.

In the Edit workspace, do one of the following:

•

Double-click the Background layer in the Layers panel.

•

Choose Layer

> New

> Layer From Background.

•

Select the Background layer, and choose Duplicate Layer from the More menu in the Layers panel to leave the

Background layer intact and create a copy of it as a new layer.

You can create a duplicate layer of the converted Background layer no matter how you convert the layer; simply select

the converted Background layer and choose Duplicate Layer from the More menu.

Name the new layer.

If you drag the Background Eraser tool onto the Background layer, it is automatically converted into a regular layer,

and erased areas become transparent.

Make a layer the Background layer

You can’t convert a layer into the Background layer if the image already has a Background layer. In this case, you must

first convert the existing Background layer into a regular layer.

In the Edit workspace, select a layer in the Layers panel.

Choose Layer

> New

> Background From Layer.

Any transparent areas in the original layer are filled with the background color.

Editing layers

Select a layer

Any change you make to an image only affects the active layer. If you don’t see the desired results when you manipulate

an image, make sure that the correct layer is selected.

❖

In the Edit workspace, do one of the following:

•

In the Layers panel, select a layer’s thumbnail or name.

•

To select more than one layer, hold down Ctrl (Command in Mac OS) and click each layer.

To select layers interactively as you use the Move tool, select Auto Select Layer in the options bar. To see which layer

will be highlighted, select Show Highlight On Rollover. Drag to select multiple layers at a time.