Copying Layers Between Images

It's extremely easy to copy layers from one Photoshop Elements document to another. If you're used to the drag-and-drop technique, you'll be glad to know that this works really well for copying layers as well as selections. Remember that as you copy and paste selections they end up on their own layers. So, layers often contain unique objects that you can easily share between photos.

To drag and drop a layer from the Layers palette

1.	Open the two images you plan to use.
2.	In the source image, select the layer you want to copy by clicking it in the Layers palette.
3.	Drag the layer's name from the Layers palette into the destination image (Figure 5.39). Figure 5.39. To copy a layer, just drag it from the Layers palette and drop it directly onto another image. The new layer appears both in the image window and on the Layers palette of the destination image (Figure 5.40). When you drag a layer from one image into another, the original, source image is not changed. The layer remains intact. Figure 5.40. The new layer appears directly above the previously selected (active) layer in the destination image and in the Layers palette.

To drag and drop a layer using the Move tool

1.	Open the two images you plan to use.
2.	Select the Move tool, and then in the source image window, select the layer you want to copy by clicking it. You can also select the layer by clicking its thumbnail in the Layers palette.
3.	With the Move tool still selected, drag the actual image layer from the source image window to the destination image (Figure 5.41). Figure 5.41. The Move tool lets you select and duplicate a layer from within the image window. The copied layer appears on the Layers palette immediately above the previously active layer.

Tip

• In some cases, the layer in your source image may be larger than the destination image, in which case not all of the layer will be visible. Just use the Move tool to bring the desired area into view.

To copy and paste a layer between images

1.	In the source image, select the layer you want to copy from by clicking it either in the Layers palette or the image window.
2.	Choose Select > All to select all of the pixels on the layer, or press Ctrl+A.
3.	Choose Edit > Copy to copy the layer to the clipboard, or press Ctrl+C.
4.	In the destination image, choose Edit > Paste, or press Ctrl+V. The contents of the copied layer will appear in the center of the destination image.