blending mode disabled [Branched]

[lu-Chan]

I am having a similar problem with elements 13. I have disabled the lock in the background image but I am still unable to blend my photos.

[Jeff Arola]

Can you post a screenshot of pse 13 including the layers panel and explain how you want to blend the layers?

[lu-Chan]

[MichelBParis]

Are you trying to assign a blending mode to all your selected layers at the same time?

[lu-Chan]

Yes, I'm trying to select Lighten as the blend mode for star trails.

[MichelBParis]

I am afraid you can't assign a blend mode to several layers at the same time, you would have to set the blend mode to each file individually.

[hatstead · Accepted solution]

lu-Chan  wrote

Yes, I'm trying to select Lighten as the blend mode for star trails.

Open a blank layer at the top of the stack of layers and press CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+E. This will produce a stamp visible layer, which is a composite of all of the layers below. Apply the Lighten blend mode to this layer.

[lu-Chan]

Thank you both very much!

[hatstead]

You're welcome. Glad to help.

[Jeff Arola]

Actually in some newer versions of photoshop elements you can change the Layer Blend Mode

when multiple layers are selected. Works in photoshop elements 2018, for example.

You won't see Lighten listed in the layers panel blend list, but you can tell if it's worked by selecting

some individual layers and see if their blend mode has changed to Lighten.

I'm not at home so i can't specifically check pse 13, but you can try on your own by selecting all your layers

and then pressing

I've verified that it does work in photoshop elements 13.

Shift + Alt + G (win) or Shift + Option + G (mac).

List of blend mode shortcuts:

Keyboard shortcuts for using blending modes