How to Add a Photo to a Layer

A photo contained within a layer

A common task that needs to be performed while editing and creating computer art within photo editing and graphic programs is the creation of a layer to house a photo as a reference or as part of the background. Whether you use a proprietary image editing program such as Adobe Photoshop or a freely available open source program such as GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), this task can be accomplished quickly and simply.

Things You'll Need

• Image editing program with support for layers (Photoshop or GIMP)

Instructions

Putting a Photo in a Layer Within a New File

1. Determine the size of the photograph by right clicking the photo file and selecting "Properties." The dimensions will be located within the "Details" tab. Drag and drop the file into the image editing program.

2. Create a new document. On the screen that is presented, choose "Custom" from the drop down menu and input the dimensions of the photo. It will open a blank document as a new tab (or window), with the photograph still on the first tab.

3. Return to the first tab with the photograph, and go to Select > All, or alternatively, press Ctrl+a. Then go to Edit > Copy, or press Ctrl+c.

4. Return to the blank tab and go to Layer > New > Layer, or press Shift+Ctrl+n. This will create a new layer in the file. Go to Edit > Paste, or press Ctrl+v.

5. Create more layers, as you like; this will not affect the layer that the photo is located on. The image will now be located within its own layer.

Putting a Photo in a New Layer Within a Current File

1. Open the file in which you want the image to be placed. Open the photo file as well, and Select All (Ctrl+a) and Copy (Ctrl+c), as above, on the photograph.

   Note: The image may need to be re-sized.

2. Create a new layer in the file where you wish to insert the image, either by using the menus on the top of the screen and using Layer > New > Layer or by pressing Shift+Ctrl+n.

3. Paste the image (Ctrl-v) into the newly created layer.

   Note that unless you adjust the opacity, you will not be able to see under the photo layer. You can adjust the opacity of the layer by means of a slider bar located within the layer ordering box.

   You can rearrange the layer by clicking and dragging the order within the layer box onscreen to move it under other layers.

Tips & Warnings

• Microsoft Paint does not have support for layers.

• While Adobe Photoshop is expensive, programs such as GIMP are free to use and have a similar functionality for the basic user.

References

• Adobe: Creating Layers in Photoshop
• GIMP: Creating Layers in GIMP

Resources

• GIMP: Resize an Image in GIMP