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USING PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 8
Using layers
Last updated 7/26/2011
More Help topics
“About adjustment and fill layers” on page 62
“About layer clipping masks” on page 67
“Lock or unlock a layer” on page 54
“About opacity and blending options in layers” on page 60
About the Layers panel
The Layers panel lists all layers in an image, from the top layer to the Background layer at the bottom. You can drag
the panel by its title out of the Panel Bin to keep it visible as you work with it.
The active layer, or the layer that you are working on, is highlighted for easy identification. As you work in an image,
it’s a good idea to check which layer is active to make sure that the adjustments and edits you perform affect the correct
layer. For example, if you choose a command and nothing seems to happen, check to make sure that you’re looking at
the active layer.
Using the icons in the panel, you can accomplish many tasks—such as creating, hiding, linking, locking, and deleting
layers. With some exceptions, your changes affect only the selected, or active, layer, which is highlighted.
Layers panel
A. Blending mode menu B. Show/Hide layer C. Layer thumbnail D. Highlighted layer is active layer E. Locked layer F. Layer is linked to
another layer G. Layer has style applied
In the list of layers, the panel shows a thumbnail, a title, and one or more icons that give information about each layer:
The layer is visible. Click the eye to show or hide a layer. (Hidden layers are not printed.)
The layer is linked to the active layer.
The layer has a style applied to it. Click to edit the layer style in the Style Settings dialog box.
The layer is locked.
The image contains layer groups and was imported from Photoshop. Photoshop Elements doesn’t support layer
groups and displays them in their collapsed state. You must simplify them to create an editable image.
You use the buttons at the bottom of the panel to perform actions:
B
A
C D FE G
