What is a Layer?
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Watch this video in full screen mode to see my physical demonstration and how layers work in Photoshop Elements.
A layer is simply one image stacked on top of another.
Let's think about a paper scrapbook page.
There's the background paper at the bottom, then the photos, embellishments and other items are stacked on top.
In Photoshop Elements the Layers panel, you'd see the paper at the bottom, then the photo, then, say, a ribbon or flowers. Each layer stacks on top of the previous one.
That is it! The concept of layers is that simple.
Photoshop Elements's layers panel is a powerful tool that allows you do many special things to your Photoshop Files as we'll see in the coming lessons.
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Sarah Zottl says
Melissa, I can’t seem to be able to watch this video. It will not play on my windows media player, citing that the mp4 extension does not work. Can you help?
Melissa Shanhun says
Hi Sarah – I’ll embed the video for you. Hopefully that will work.