Stupid Questions

[ginger_55]

Things I can't do, and want to know HOW to do them to make a christmas photo.

1) I can't open two different photos and get them both in layers, so that I can work with them together in layers. I click on one, it goes in layers, I click on the other, it goes in layers, but they don't go in together. I need them in together.

2) I can't extract anything. I have looked under extract in every WOW and CS book I have. Gave the other books to my daughter. I can use the extract tool under filters, but when I click on OK, it does not "extract".

What I am trying to do: I have a photo of my dogs that I like, and I have a photo of a wreath, probably a form of clip art, is on a white background, my son sent it to me. I want to put the wreath on a post in the photo of the dogs, thereby making it a Christmas photo.

To do that, I understand that I need to extract the wreath, and I need to have both photos in layers. I tried for 2 or 3 hours last night to do that simple thing, and I couldn't. This thing about getting two shots in layers together has been a problem for a long time and stopped some projects when I couldn't do it.

Also the extraction thing, everyone can extract except me, it is elementary.
Can someone help me.

Pathfinder, Snappy are you there. Anyone else who can talk "simple".

Ginger

[ginger_55]

I am trying to put the wreath on the fence post to my left.

http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/12419046-L.jpg


http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/12419045-S.jpg


I hope they both show up.

ginger

[tmlphoto]

Something like this?

http://tmlphoto.smugmug.com/photos/12419516-L.jpg

How I did it:
- Filter > Extract Highlight inner & outer border, select to keep wreath
- Ctrl- J 5 times to clean up extraction
- Layers > Merge down until down to one layer on a transparent background
- Select > Select all
- Edit > copy the extracted wreath
- Edit > paste wreath onto dog picture
- Move wreath into postion with the "Move tool"

P.s Send/post the originials if you need me to do this for you on a bigger image.

[ginger_55]

This is fantastic, Thomas. I am going to try to do it. Will let you know.

It just seems I should know this basic kind of stuff. I think it is so basic that it is not in the CS books. Probably I should not own CS until I pass tests at the first levels.

So I am going to try it. If I can't I will put the originals here, or big ones, or something.

Will let you all know.

ginger who also wants a Canon 20D, lol.

[ginger_55]

Thomas, I can't get a transparent background. I got stuck at that point. I really want to know how to do this stuff.

Anyone??

Thomas??

ginger

[ginger_55]

I just needed to trust Thomas' instructions and put the wreath under the dogs, why on that I don't know. The wreath may be a bit big, but I don't care, I GOT IT FINALLY!:clap thank you Thomas.:bow :thumb

http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/12435139-M.jpg

[pathfinder]

I just needed to trust Thomas' instructions and put the wreath under the dogs, why on that I don't know. The wreath may be a bit big, but I don't care, I GOT IT FINALLY!:clap thank you Thomas.:bow :thumb

http://gingerSnap.smugmug.com/photos/12435139-M.jpg


That's lovely Ginger - Merry Christmas!