Post by Sepiana on Jan 5, 2019 5:26:07 GMT
What are Layer Groups?
Layer Groups are a Photoshop feature. Whenever you have a file containing layers with a folder icon, this means you have Layer Groups. This is a very common feature in files which consist of many layers. Layer Groups are used to organize your layers when you have too many of them by placing similar/related layers into a group (folder). As Layer Groups can be collapsed, the ending result is a layer stack which is manageable, one which looks neat and tidy, with the bonus of free space in the Layers panel. Last by not least, Layer Groups make hiding/showing several layers at once a piece of cake because each group has its own visibility icon.
Are Layer Groups available in Elements?
Yes and No. It depends on which version you have. Adobe introduced this feature in PSE 15.
Users of earlier versions will need an add-on such as Elements+ created by Andrei Doubrovski.
Grouping Layers (PSE 6-14)
Ungrouping Layers (PSE 6-14)
OR
The Group/Ungroup action (.atn file) created by dconsc, a longstanding member on the now-closed Elements Village forum.
Unlocking non-editable layers
When Adobe introduced Layer Groups in Elements (brought over from Photoshop), they also had to do some shortcut reassignment.
Starting with Elements 15, . . .
- Ctrl/Cmmd-G has become the shortcut to Group Layers.
- The shortcut to Create a Clipping Mask/Group With Previous is now Alt-Ctrl-G/Opt-Cmmd-G.
