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the scene:
I have a photo , call it X, open in elements. I then cut a portion from
another photo and paste it into/ontop? of X. I am then required to clone
portions of X onto the new pasted bit. I am unable to do this as it is
treating the pasted portion as a layer (I think).
question: Is there anyway of getting elements to treat the above scenario as
a single flat layer (thereby allowing me to treat the pasted portion equally
as the rest of X)????
thanks
The IronSheikh

Go to "Window" and select "Show Layers". This will bring up a small window
that will display thumbnails of the layers that you have. "Help" will tell
you more about how to use this window.

Your added image is on a second "layer" as you suspect and by merging or
flattening you can combine the images of the layers into one. Go to "Layer"
and then select "Flatten Image". This will combine the layers and you should
then be able to do what you want to it.

--
Charley

"Ironsheikh" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:WMRKb.6710$(E-Mail Removed)...
> the scene:
> I have a photo , call it X, open in elements. I then cut a portion from
> another photo and paste it into/ontop? of X. I am then required to clone
> portions of X onto the new pasted bit. I am unable to do this as it is
> treating the pasted portion as a layer (I think).
> question: Is there anyway of getting elements to treat the above scenario
as
> a single flat layer (thereby allowing me to treat the pasted portion
equally
> as the rest of X)????
> thanks
> The IronSheikh
>
>

Yes, but Ironsheikh should also learn that you really don't have to flatten
the image in order to clone part of Layer 1 onto Layer 2 (although it sounds
like the Sheikh doesn't think he wants or needs to keep the layers
separate).

In the alternative, Iron, you can go to your Layers window, select Layer 1
(your X image), then go back to the image and use your clone tool to select
the spot on image X where you want to start cloning from (in Windows it's
Alt-click). [If you don't see the window that displays your different
layers, go to Windows >>> Show Layers. You can choose which layer to work
on, by clicking on it.]

Then, go back to the Layers window, select layer 2 (the pasted-in bit); then
return to your image and proceed to clone onto Layer 2.

Like many things in Photoshop, it's easier to do it than to describe it.

When you're happy with the result, you can flatten the image. Until then,
you might find it handy to keep the layers separate, in case you mess up on
Layer 2 or you want to move it a little.