How Do I Add a Layer Mask to a Layer in Photoshop Elements?
While Adobe's Photoshop Elements is the consumer-level version of Photoshop, it still contains plenty of the bells and whistles the average user needs to edit, retouch and manipulate digital images. A layer mask allows you to "cut" something from a photo and replace with another object, or place an object against a different background. A simulation of this full-version effect can be achieved in Photoshop Elements.
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Instructions
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1
Boot up your computer. Click the green "Start" button, and then locate "Programs" and click. Locate "Photoshop Elements" in the list, and click to launch the program.
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2
Select the "File" menu, and scroll down to select "New" to create a new Photoshop Elements document.
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3
Locate several digital images on your computer's hard drive that you wish to experiment with. Click on one image and drag it then drop it onto the blank open document you created Step 2. Select another image, and drag and drop it onto the document as well.
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4
Locate "Window" in the file menu, and scroll down to "Layers" to bring up the Layers Palette. Add a new "Adjustment Layer" under the main image by clicking "Layer" and scrolling down to "New Adjustment Layer." Select any type of layer other than "Fill Layer."
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5
Click on the Layers Palette, then highlight the Adjustment Layer you created. Drag it within the list and drop the thumbnail so it is under the other photos in the list.
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Click on "Layer," then scroll down to "Group with Previous," and click to group the photo with the mask layer.
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Select "Window" from the menu bar, and scroll down to "Tools" to open the Tool Box. Click on the brush pane, and then select "Airbrush Soft Round 300" from the list.
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Click on the Layers Palette and select the Adjustment Layer, which is the layer with the white circle icon and double border around the image.
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Paint around the edges of the photo with the airbrush to remove the hard edges. Look at the mask thumbnail to see where you have painted. Select "More Options" from the Options bar to paint over any other portions with a smaller brush.
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Continue painting with white or black paint color to alter the images until you are satisfied with the mask.
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References
- Photo Credit art image by Svetlin Rusev from Fotolia.com
