Layering is, as it always has been, a vital part of any scrapbooking project. The same is true with digital scrapbooking. This article will explain what layers are, how they can be used, and how to get started using layers today.

         Basically, layers are a way of using your photo editing software to stack one image on top of another. It is the same concept as used in traditional scrapbooking. You start with you background paper, add your photos and frames, and then place your embellishments on top. Layers allow you to do exactly the same thing with your digital images. You can work on one element of a page without disturbing the others. Think of layers as individual elements stacked one on top of the other. Everything but the actual element is invisible so you can see through to the layers below. You can change the size, color, transparency, or position of any given layer without disturbing the anything else on your page.
           Because of this layers allow you an incredible amount of flexibility and creativity in your digital scrapbooking. As I said above layers allow you to work with your digital images just as you would in traditional scrapbooking, but digital layers also allow you to do much more. Say you are laying out a page and your tile words just aren't quit big enough. In traditional scrapbooking this might be a problem, but not with digital scrapbooking. With the click of your mouse you can change the size of any element to fit with your page perfectly. On the same note, say you are working with a blue tag, but you really need a green one. Again, no problem, as long and that tag is on it's own layer your can play with the hue and saturation to change that tag from blue to green. Another great ability of layers is being able the change the transparency of any given layer. This means that you can take any paper, embellishment or even a photograph and make it partially see through. This a great feature to ad depth and interest to any page.

Corel Paint Shop Pro X

A - Create new layer, edit  layer & edit selection

B - Opacity, blending & layer linking

C - Layer name & thumbnail

D - Layer type and visibility

Before you get started using layers with you digital images you will first need a photo editing software that supports layers. Click here to find out about free downloads. Next you will need papers and embellishments to work with. We offer a variety of free downloads to help you get started.  Click here to check our freebies page and download the elements you need.

Now that your ready to get started, open up your photo editing software and open the elements you plan to work with. Next you will need to find your layers palette. In most programs it will be located on the left hand side of your screen. If it isn't already there you will need to open it. To do this in most programs you will go to the windows or view menu at the top of your screen and click on the layers option. (If you are using Microsoft Digital Image Pro they will use the term "Stack" instead of layers.)

Adobe Photoshop 3.0

A - Layer Type & Opacity

B - Create new layer, edit old layer & lock layer

C - Layer name & thumbnail

D - Layer  visibility and layer linking