Layering elements Tutorial for Newbies

I thought I'd post a tutorial for newbies. One of the first things I wanted to learn how to do was how to put something in a layer above and beneath another. Afterall, in real life, things are not just all on top or just completely beneath another.

So here is a quick tutorial for beginners. :)

This example is a string and a tag. We want to loop the string through the tag. This tag and string is from Orchid Dreams Reawakening.

I am using Photoshop CS3 on a PC.

First, create your new document and drag the tag over, next drag the string over. Place the string at your desired location, where it would be if you wanted to loop it in real life.



Notice that the tag layer is below the string layer.

Select the tag layer. It should be active in your layers panel. Hold down the Control key and click on the thumbnail of the tag. You will see dancing ants around the tag.

Now click on the string layer. It should be active in your layers panel.

Select the eraser tool, select a solid hard round brush. Erase the area towards the top. This is where it normally would be underneath the tag. You will only be able to erase areas within your tag since it has been selected (dancing ants).


There you go, your string is above and below the tag now.

Yay, you're done. Play with some drop shadows and that's it!