User Guide

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ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS
User Guide
The right column lists the layer’s name and may
display additional icons. By default, this column
also shows a thumbnail image that is updated as
you edit the layer. You can change the thumbnail
size or choose not to show thumbnails in the
Layers palette.
A. Layer lock options (from left to right): Transparency,
All B. Show/Hide C. Paintbrush icon D. Link/Unlink
E. Thumbnail F. Palette menu G. Highlighted layer
is active layer. H. Partially locked layer I. New fill or
adjustment layer J. New layer K. Trash
Note: If you open a file that was created in
Photoshop 6.0, the image may contain layer sets.
Layer sets are indicated by a folder icon and can
contain multiple layers. Although Photoshop
Elements does not support layer sets, it displays
preexisting layer sets in their collapsed state. You can
simplify a layer set to convert it to a single, editable,
raster layer. (See “Simplifying layers” on page 173.)
Displaying the Layers palette
When you open Photoshop Elements for the first
time, the Layers palette appears on the right side of
your work area grouped with the Layer Styles
palette. You can move the palette anywhere on
your screen. You can close the palette to the palette
well or hide it completely. (See “Using the palette
well” on page 21.)
To display the Layers palette:
Choose Window > Show Layers.
Using the Layers palette menu
The Layers palette menu contains commands and
options for working with layers.
To use the Layers palette menu:
1 Click the triangle ( ) at the top right corner of
the palette.
2 Choose a command or option from the menu.
Selecting layers
If your image has multiple layers, you must choose
what layer you want to work on. Any changes you
make to the image affect only the active layer. You
select a layer to make it active, and only one layer
can be active at a time.
If you don’t see the desired results when using a
tool or applying a command, you may not have
the correct layer selected. Check the Layers palette to
make sure that you’re working on the desired layer.
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