Layer Masks in Elements
 

This maybe old news as I first saw this trick a few years ago in a photo mag.

To create a Layer Mask in Elements.
Select Create Adjustment Layer - Levels - (just) Click OK.
Drag Adjustment Layer below layer your masking
Hold ALT - Click on line between layers (when see clipping group icon)
Click in Adjustment layer thumbnail and use as a Layer Mask.

Hope this will be of help. Think this is right but if made a booboo let me know.

P.S. Im not an expert, just a user of Elements.

Thanks, will try it sometime when appropriate.

Yep thats whats known as a clipping layer, though it a lot easier,faster and handier to install a proper layer mask in Elements.

http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pse...ermasktool.htm

You may well be right, as I said Im not an expert. Dont know difference clipping layer / proper layer mask.
Have looked up photo mag thay call it a layer mask. So thats what I called it.
Anyway its non destructive and black and white will hide or reveal.

Hi Arthur, clipping layers are fine if time consuming and can get confusing when using many layers compared to normal layer masks.

Heres the difference between the two using Elements.

Hi Crafty, That dose look a lot better.
Are use useing Elements 6? I open, Effects-Photo Effects show all and dont have "Masks Layers". Jumps from Pencile Sketch to Quadrant color or am I missing something. Is it an up date?

Elements does not come with layers but you can download and install them (theres also instructions) from the link I gave in the first post. :)

Ok, I am dim.:o
Have downloaded. Works great. Thanks for info.
Thought link was to a tec sight about layers and would be over my head, bumbo that I am.