Layers are necessary in digital scrapbooking and photo editing when using any graphic program, but especially if you are going to use Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.
Layers are not hard to use in either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements and they make it possible to do lots of different scrapbooking techniques and build digital scrapbooking pages.
However, I often hear that layers seem scary and confusing to some new 
digital scrapbookers. But… Layers shouldn’t scare anyone! Especially if you have good training then they are quite easy to work with an not scary at all! (See the Getting Started training for Photoshop or Photoshop Elements and learn about Layers!)
Layers are important if you want to work with any graphics, photos, and digital scrapbooking pages!
If you didn’t have layers then there would be no way to change the placemen
t of different items in digital scrapbooking because each piece becomes merged into a single bitmapped image, replacing what was previously there.
Without having all items in a graphic project being able to move them around in different ways, it would be virtually impossible to do digital scrapbooking the way we do today and even photo editing would become very difficult!
According to Adobe, “Layers are like stacked, transparent sheets of glass on which you can paint images. You can see through the transparent areas of a layer to the layers below. You can work on each layer independently, experimenting to create the effect you want. Each layer remains independent until you combine (merge) the layers. The bottommost layer in the Layers panel, the Background layer, is always locked (protected), meaning you 
cannot change its stacking order, blending mode, or opacity (unless you convert it into a regular layer).”
The concept of layers, and the Layers Panel is one of the important concepts to know before starting any digital scrapbooking projects.
It is really helpful to understand them and how to use them before doing photo editing and digital scrap pages! So how can you learn about
So where to begin learning and using Layers?
First, get good training that explains the Layer Panel!
Layers Training for Photoshop Elements:
Like getting this good Layers training, Introduction to Photoshop Elements 8 and Digital Scrapbooking Lesson 1, which focus on opening Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 9 in the Editor Mode, as well as a brief overview of two of the most important digital scrapbooking features within PSE 9: the Project Bin, and the Layers Panel!
If you are new to Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 8, or new to digital scrapbooking in general, then this introductory training found within Lesson 1 is absolutely essential.
Layers Training for Photoshop:
Introduction to Photoshop CS5: At Digital Scrapbooks and More, we believe that it’s critical to have a good understanding of exactly what you are doing and why when it comes to digital scrapbooking; but we also believe that it’s silly to waste valuable training time on going down a list of tools that you aren’t ready to use yet. That is why we have made a Getting Started Series with six lessons covering the basics of digital scrapbooking. This is the first lesson in that series. Lesson 1 covers some of the essential details that digital Scrapbookers really need to get started. Such as: opening Adobe® Photoshop® and overview of the Workspace, an introduction to the the Panel Areas, Intro to the Layers Panel and Helpful Tips to get you started using Photoshop. Learning and understanding these concepts is critical to any digital scrapbooking beginner and makes a world of difference once you learn them! After learning these important concepts one can easily advance to Lesson 2 which gets into digital scrapbooking with basic Photoshop tools.
Get all of the Training in Digital Scrapbooking and really understand layers!
Digital Scrapbook Tutorials get you the information you need to start digital scrapbooking and Layers right away!
Why not learn about all about digital scrapbooking?
Take a look at each of the downloadable Photoshop Elements 9 lessons in the Getting Started Series Lesson 1-6. They can be bought, download and started all in the same day! Or take a look at the whole The Getting Started Series in Digital Scrapbooking using Photoshop Elements 9 on CD. This training is the same as the downloadable version but comes all together on a CD that can be mailed right to your house. This training is the ultimate training in learning Photoshop Elements and Digital Scrapbooking! CD-set includes: tutorial videos, training guides for ALL Lessons (1-6) and lots of freebies too!
Photoshop Digital Scrapbook Training:
The Getting Started Series in Digital Scrapbooking using Photoshop CS5
(or CS4) is the ultimate training! CD-set includes: tutorial videos, training guides for ALL Lessons (1-6) and lots of freebies too! You can also buy each of the lessons individually and download them today! Check the Photoshop Downloadable Digital Scrapbook Training too!
See the Scrap Shop for other Photo Editing training and advanced Digital Scrapbooking Tutorials!
—-—-
Get Digital Scrapbooking FREEBIES!
Sign up for our FREE Newsletter below and receive FREE digital scrapbooking supplies, training guides, brand-new product information, or digital scrapbooking and photo editing articles every week! Not only that, but you will also receive exclusive Digital Scrapbooks and More 
subscriber-only sales info and discount coupons!
Go ahead and sign up, it’s FREE! Once you submit the form, you will immediately get an email confirming your membership! You can set your preferences and have control over your Newsletter Subscription!
Once your confirmation email reaches us, then you will be set up to begin receiving a Welcome Newsletter, and also the current issue of the Newsletter within the next 48 hours.
Get some good digital scrapbooking tips and FREE Digital Scrapbooking Supplies when you sign up for the FREE Newsletter that gives FREE tips and Free digital supplies too – Sign up today!
