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I am very frustrated with the latest version after upgrading from 2020. I use the software for digitial scrapbooking and all my layouts have many layers. When I place an element on to a layer it jumps around as if it were trying to snap to something. I have unchecked all the "snap to" boxes though I went back and looked at 2020 and they were all checked. Unchecking did not help. Also when resizing something by using the bounding box with the move tool the element continues to resize smaller ever after releasing the mouse button. Finally I use file place to add to my layers and when I do that somehow I am on a different layer so the item is added in the wrong place. I checked with another friend who also upgraded and the same things happened to her. She has since gone back to her earlier version. Honestly I do not want to pay for a product I cannot use. I have been using PSE for many years and this is the first time I hsve had these issues. I cannot use this version as it stands since it's important for items I place to end up correctly. Frames are outside of photos, leaves are on the incorrect layer. Alpha characters resize to small etc. I have to be so careful every step of the way. I hope the answer is not what I would consider to be a step backward like unchecking the auto select box. I couldn't find the answer here via search so if you can point me somewhere I would appreciate it. I got a message that support is closed. Thanks in advance.
By @beatricemi
Hi @beatricemi ,
What you are describing is typical of scrapbooking users who have been used to the old way of "placing" new items on their canvas. I don't do scrapbooking, I create my own family books, where each page is like a custom scrapbook page, using all the usual scrapbooking techniques.
I would NEVER go back to the old way after having discovered the simplicity and power of dragging and dropping items from the photo bin to the canvas, and as a result, getting my layers as 'smart layers' in the layers palette.
So, before going into the new concept, I need to check if your problem is the common one, or if it is something different.
Let's say you are dragging a photo item from the photo bin to the canvas. You are NOT copying your item as a new layer. You are simulating, previewing, the result of the dragged image in your canvas. By default, that preview image is placed centered in the canvas. If the dragged image is smaller than the canvas (at the ppi resolution of the canvas), it is shown at the same resolution as the canvas. If it is bigger, the preview is resized to fit in the canvas.
Look at the layers panel: the layer icon has the small square tag of 'smart layers'.
The original file of the dragged item is now ready to be saved entirely together with your working file.
Since you are seeing a 'preview', you have to tell PSE what you want to do with the preview: resizing, moving, tilting... You can add multiple new assets to your page. You can change those changes any time without losing quality. You can change the order of the layers, and most often, when you are safisfied, you can 'simplify' layers to transform them into normal layers and discarding the copy saved with each 'smart layer'.
So, to be sure, can you confirm that you are using the new concept, with the result of having smart layers in your layers palette?
The issue I have with that is I might have 50 or more papers and elements That I would need to open in order for them to be in the bin.
By @beatricemi
I also take part in another independent Elements forum (photoshopelementsandmore dot com) where I meet many scrapbookers. I am a bit surprised at the number of items you are using. Indeed, it's something different from my own needs.
- a book must give strong priority to the images, not to the enhancements, so fewer components in a page
- Also, the photos do dictate the best layout from their contents and their mutual interactions, which means an original layout for each page. No ready-made artsy layout.
However, I am sure that I would not go back to the old 'place' system if I had to deal with 50 components per page.
For me, it was too slow and complicated. I have no problem working with 10 to 20 files in the photobin and switching the files of the photobin depending of the part of the worflow.
We both need precision and flexibility to place, resize, tilt, overwrite all items. Those items are mutually dependent and must be changed many times after trial and error. The smart layers insure that every change you do is made from the original dragged file. No quality loss and you can simplify when you want.
If you drag a small enhancement and you have to upsize it, that means it has too small a resolution. Otherwise, it is good to be downsized to the canvas resolution. A big safety for me.
Also, if you want to work with the 'place' command as before, go to your preferences and check 'disable smart objects).
You say:
"I hope the answer is not what I would consider to be a step backward like unchecking the auto select box."
That's not a step backward. That's a choice. Mine is to check or uncheck it according to the step in my workflow. It's the same for the smart layers introduction.
"The issue I have with that is I might have 50 or more papers and elements That I would need to open in order for them to be in the bin" Not a problem once you save the photo bin contents as an album.
@Floyd24019287hsph said: Is there a way to change the default to be a simplified layer?
I'm not sure if this will help you, but there is an option in Edit>Preferences>General to Disable Smart Objects.
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