pib56
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Posts: 3 
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Post by pib56 on Feb 10, 2017 17:53:56 GMT
I want to take a group of images and place them in arbitraary places on a blank canvas to create a collage. This would be a multi-layer psd file. I don't want to use any preset templates. I have tried starting with a blank image in the Editor, but I can't seem to overlay other images on it. I am using PSE13 and Win10. I have also looked in Adobes's Classroom in a Book. Thanks for any help
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Post by Sepiana on Feb 10, 2017 18:35:18 GMT
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Post by Major Major on Feb 10, 2017 18:37:00 GMT
Hi pib56 -
Welcome to Photoshop Elements & More!
Try this:
- Create a new blank file in the size you want your final collage to be
- Open all of the photos you want to use
- Drag each photo from the photo bin onto the blank file - each photo will come in as a new layer
- As you drag each photo, you may want to resize it - to do that, hit control- or command-T, check your tool options to make sure "constrain proportions" is checked, and then just grab a corner to resize.
- Use the move tool to place each layer (photo) where you want it.
That's it.
Let us know if you need more help.
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Post by Peterj on Feb 10, 2017 18:43:44 GMT
It's been a while that I've made a collage so my memory is a bit rusty.
Steps as I remember:
* select the images in organizer and send to editor (can be opened in editor also)
* create a blank canvass with the dimensions desired
* use the photo bin and select an image, cntrl-a (select all)
* select blank canvass from photo bin, cntrl-v (paste selection)
* suggest closing the already copied image
* repeat until all images are copied
* use transform tool to resize and move each image to desired location - remember to click on the layer to make it active
* if you want some images to slightly overlap others you'll have to reorder the respective layers
I was writing this as Major posted - sorry for the confusion
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pib56
New Forum Member
Posts: 3
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Post by pib56 on Feb 10, 2017 23:10:12 GMT
Thanks to all for your help. Since I chose a combination of vertical and horizontal images, the problem was getting them to fit without noticeable overlap or white space. I put the images on and resized (using scale), moved and cropped them until they fit, and then I added a title. It turns out that you can't crop individual images in the collage. You must delete the layer containing the image to be cropped, crop it as an individual image, then drag it back to the collage to be resized and repositioned. It is essentially a trial and error procedure to get the aspect ratio just right. I have attached the final result so you all can see the image you helped to create. n just right.  |
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Post by cats4jan on Feb 11, 2017 0:00:55 GMT
It turns out that you can't crop individual images in the collage. You must delete the layer containing the image to be cropped, crop it as an individual image, then drag it back to the collage to be resized and repositioned.
Make sure you are on the layer of the photo you wish to crop. Grab the marquee tool Draw a selection of the photo in the size you wish your photo to end up being - you need to hold down the left mouse button and drag across your photo - release and a selection (marching ants) will show. The 'ants' are not 'marching in this still photo, but when you do it, they will be moving.
Control/Command J will put that selection on it's own layer Control for a PC. Command for a Mac Turn off or delete the original photo layer and you will see your 'crop' For your particular project, I would not delete the original photo layer because you may want to redo your cropYou must turn off the original photo layer or you will not see your crop. The cropped photo layer will show in your layers panel, you just won't see it on your project BTW - I like how your project turned out - great photos of your trip. Your collage looks like a beautiful postcard. |
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Post by Sepiana on Feb 11, 2017 0:42:17 GMT
Thanks to all for your help. Since I chose a combination of vertical and horizontal images, the problem was getting them to fit without noticeable overlap or white space. I put the images on and resized (using scale), moved and cropped them until they fit, and then I added a title. It turns out that you can't crop individual images in the collage. You must delete the layer containing the image to be cropped, crop it as an individual image, then drag it back to the collage to be resized and repositioned. It is essentially a trial and error procedure to get the aspect ratio just right. I have attached the final result so you all can see the image you helped to create. pib56, glad to see the results of your efforts. You got your collage the way you wanted. Good for you!
I will make a few more suggestions to help you with your future collages. They may make your job easier.
Check the resolution of your individual images (Image>Resize>Image Size>Resolution). For example, if they have a resolution of 300 ppi, create your blank canvas with the same resolution. If the images have different resolutions, create your blank canvas with a resolution close enough.
After you have cropped your images individually, save them as PSD. When you are ready to create your collage, use the File>Place command. Open your blank canvas file. Then, bring your individual images into Elements using this command. This is really important if you are going to be doing a lot of resizing, scaling, distorting, etc. to your individual images when you have them onto the blank canvas. Why? Because, when you use the File>Place command your file(s) will come into Elements as a Smart Object. The advantage of working with a Smart Object is that you can resize it to any size without any problems (such as pixelation).
As you said you want to try "to get the aspect ratio just right", I would suggest you continue individually cropping your images (Image>Crop or using the Crop tool). You can also use the Marquee Tool to crop your individual images but, if you want to preserve the aspect ratio of your images, you will have much more leeway if you use the Image>Crop command or the Crop tool. If you need more information about cropping and aspect ratio, you may want to check this document.
www.photokaboom.com/photography/learn/Photoshop_Elements/cropping/1_crop_tool.htm
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