Canvas Size - Help!

DorsetDude

DorsetDude

Spud
Suspended / Banned
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7,018
Name
Keith
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi
Ive got an image open, only 1 layer after merging. Resized it and want to extend the canvas size to make a border but the 'canvas extension colour' dropdown is greyed out. Anyone know how to make it enabled again? Bloody annoying.

Elements 10 this is, used to work in 7 ok. :bang:

Thanks
 
I usually make a blank background and drag the image onto that. I find it easier to get the size correct.
 
It may be because I dont have a background layer. But once Ive "de-backgrounded" a layer I dont know how to re create one. My lack of knowledge goes on...
 
I probably didn't make that very clear. What I mean is, open a new, blank canvas to use as a background (File>New in case this is, um, new to you). Make this the size you want for your finished image. That is, if you have a 3MB image, make the new one around the same. You can re-size the image down without to many problems, but stretching it to fit very much will result in deterioration of quality.

When you've made your new background, use the drag tool to pull the image onto it. Click on `show transform controls` on the top menu, and click-and-hold a corner square to re-size. Holding down the shift key as you do this will keep the image proportions (doesn't work unless you use a corner). The image automatically becomes a new layer, so you can quite easily move it around, change the background colour, add captions, or whatever.
 
Sorry Jon,

My comment was because Id googled the problem and apparently the 'use background colour' option was greyed out because I didnt have a background layer.

I didnt have one because Id unlocked it and moved it to the top of the layers heap during editing. Once Id finished and merged all the layers I end up with one layer that isnt a background layer.
I believe if I could make that single layer back into a background layer I could then use the background colour option during canvas resize.

Elements may be many things but intuitive aint one of them.

A bit of a palaver to be fair.
 
The only way you can make a specific background layer again is to flatten the image.

If you don't want to lose your layers, you can still use the canvas size dialogue but you will have to make a new layer at the bottom of your stack and fill with the right colour to make your new background layer.

In the future, if you just keep your background layer and turn off visibility... the background colour option in the canvas size dialogue won't be greyed out.
 
OrinB said:
In the future, if you just keep your background layer and turn off visibility... the background colour option in the canvas size dialogue won't be greyed out.
Click to expand...

Another good reson for duplicating the background layer before starting editing I guess.

Thanks all
 
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