Need help using PSE 18

[Shaz515]

I have had so many dramas this past week with my laptop and scrapping software!!

First my laptop died, so I bought a new one ... that was actually the easy part.

I have been using PSE 11 for scrapping for many years and was happy with it, but when I tried to download it again, Adobe said they have no record of my purchase any more and that I would have to buy it again. But they don't sell it anymore, so I would have to purchase PSE 18 instead. Prior to PSE 11, I used PSE 7 and still had the disc, but for some unknown reason it wouldn't install on my new laptop. So I downloaded the trial version of PSE 18 to try for 30 days and if I like it I will buy it.

Now here is my problem .... when I try to add an element or paper, I select my layer and drag the element I want to use, but it doesn't place the element on top of my selected layer! It just seems to place it wherever it likes - sometimes it makes it the very top layer, sometimes it puts it several layers above or below my selected layer. It is making me CRAZY!! I have asked Mr Google, but couldn't find any answers.

Can anyone help me please!!

 

[Beth]

Hi Sharon - This is a frustrating feature of the newer versions of PSE and it doesn't sound like Adobe's going to change it. I'm scrapping with 14 and, although this use to drive me crazy, I now know how to get items on the layers I want. There are two ways you can drag items into a layout: (1) If you have a layer selected in the Layers Palette and you want a paper to go above that layer, click on the paper down in the photo bin (that you want to place on your layout). This paper will open in the Workspace. You'll then want to drag that DOWN onto your layout that's sitting in the photo bin. That paper will then appear above the layer that's highlighted in the Layers Palette. OR, (2) If you want to drag an item UP (rather than down), click on the item (let's say a flower) down in your photo bin and drag it up to the Workspace, hover ABOVE the item you want it above, and let go of your mouse. PSE will place that item above the layer you hovered above. I know that's not real clear, so let me further clarify:

Say, you have a layout open in your workspace and have the following: a paper (layer 1), a photo (layer 2) a leaf (layer 3) and a flower (layer 4) and you want to drag a string up to be under the leaf and above the photo. It doesn't matter which layer you have highlighted in your layers palette. You would click on the string down in the photo bin and drag it UP to your workspace, hover over the photo on your layout and let go of your mouse. The string will appear in the center of your layout, but if you look over to your layer palette, you'll see it is above the photo layer (layer 2) and below your leaf layer (layer 3).

I hope that helps!
~Beth

 

[Shaz515]

Thank you so much Beth! You are a life saver!
I was getting so frustrated trying to figure it out, I just wanted to sit in the corner and cry.
Now I can get my layouts done ... woohoo!
A million thanks and a big hug too!

 

[Beth]

Glad I could help Sharon!!
<3...beth

 

[Fayette]

I love seeing scrappers help each other like this. I've never used PSE, so I was clueless....thanks for the little lesson, Beth!

 

[Oldenmeade]

Wow, Beth! If there was an award for Angel of the Week, I'd nominate you for it. This is something that has driven me nuts ever since I first started scrapping, with PSE 14. Can't thank you enough - and you Sharon, for asking the question in the first place. Big hugs to both of you

 

[Shaz515]

I have been using PSE 11 for years and when you selected your layer then dragged up your element or whatever, it placed it above the selected layer. I just couldn't work out what to do with PSE 18 until Beth saved the day!

 

[Flo06nice]

I'm still using PSE 10 but I keep this post somewhere in my mind though I hope Adobe will change their poilcy before I have to change once my PSE because no way for me to pay each month for a software ! I would either change software (for Gimp maybe) or...stop digiscrap !

You ladies pay each month ? Because it's like this in France...

 

[Shaz515]

At the moment, Photoshop Elements is just a one-time purchase to use forever .... but ... recently I read that Adobe will be making PSE subscription only at some time in the future.