Using Cntll-Alt-Shft-E

[Lynne]

You mentioned in a Fb-Ask Damien post to make a blank layer at the top and then do Ctrl-Alt-Shft-E and copy it into the blank layer.  This was on a post where you were showing how to extend the floor for the background on a baby image.  I'm curious what the blank layer serves.

I thought maybe it allowed for changes in the layers below but when I tried that, it didn't work.

[Damien Symonds]

In normal circumstances you'd just duplicate the background layer, then start cloning.  As you know.

But in abnormal circumstances, sometimes there is an adjustment layer already above the Background layer, and it has to stay there.  So in that case, you need a stamped version of the whole photo above that.

[Lynne]

I tried this doing it with the blank layer as you mentioned above and I also tried it with just doing the CTRL-Alt-Shft-E.  They seem to do the same thing.  Making the blank layer first just seems like an extra step.  I guess I'm still missing something here???

 

[Damien Symonds]

No, you're right.  There's no need for the new blank layer beforehand.  Old habits die hard.

[Lynne]

Thank you for that.  Glad to know I wasn't going crazy and really missing something important.