Layers are like stacked transparent sheets on which you can paint or place images, shapes, or text. You can see through the transparent areas to the layers below. You can work on each layer independently, experimenting to create the effect you want. You can adjust a layer’s color and brightness, apply special effects, change its opacity, and change its stacking order. If you want to experiment with color, filters, or other adjustments, you can place an adjustment or fill layer above the image and see the affects without making any changes to the layer that contains your image. To remove the effects, simply delete the adjustment layer.

Each layer remains independent until you combine or merge it. The bottom layer of every new Elements file is called the Background, and it is always locked. If you want to move the contents of the Background layer or change its opacity, you must first convert it to a regular layer.

To manage the layers in a file, use the Layers palette (Figure 1). If the Layers palette is not visible, open the Window menu and select Layers

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