Photoshop Elements 2023 For Dummies

Chapter 9

Working with Layers

IN THIS CHAPTER

Using the Layers panel and the Layer menu

Working with the Select menu

Creating new layers

Moving, merging, transforming, and flattening layers

Adding layer masks

Using Elements without ever using layers would be like writing a book with a pen and paper pad: Sure, you could do it, but it wouldn’t be fun. An even bigger issue would occur when it came time to edit that book and make changes. Correction tape, correction fluid, and erasers would make that task downright tedious, not to mention messy. The benefit of using layers is that you have tremendous flexibility. You can make as many edits as you want for as long as you want, as long as you keep your composite image in layers. Layers make working in Elements a lot more productive. Don’t give a darn about productivity? Well, let’s just say that layers also make it a breeze for you to bring out your more artsy side.

This chapter explains the tools and techniques you need to start working ...