Photoshop Elements > Brushes >
History Brush
Photoshop has the History brush.
Photoshop Elements doesn't.
Photoshop, and Photoshop Elements, record each editing step.
In Photoshop Elements, you can look at the steps.
Go to Window > Undo History.
In Photoshop, you can go back to any previous step, and paint
it onto the current image.
The Photoshop History brush is handy for fixing editing mistakes.
You can simulate the History brush in Photoshop Elements.
When?
When would you want to add part of the History layer to your
current image?
Transition Point
If you're at a transition point in your editing, make a History
layer.
For example, let's say you've finished retouching a face.
You're about to work on the background.
Make a History layer.
Apply an Action
Just to the History Layer
You can apply an action to a History layer.
The layers below won't be affected.
For example, you can tone, convert to B&W, blur, color correct,
or sharpen, only the History layer.
Then, you can reduce the effect by reducing the opacity of the
History layer.
Or, you can blend parts of the History layer to mix it with the
layers below.
Use one of the methods described below.
First, let's make a History layer.
Composite Layer
Create a composite layer.
A composite layer contains all of the layers of your photograph.
If you haven't already done so, go to
Composite
Layer.
Do the following.
1) Deselect the eye icons on the layers you don't want to merge.
2) Make sure the top layer is active (highlighted).
3) Select > All.
4) Edit > Copy Merged.
5) Edit > Paste.
Rename & Hide
6) Rename the
composite layer as History.
7) Deselect the eye icon on the History layer.
8) Continue editing.
9) When you need to add parts of the History layer to your current
image, select its eye icon.
10) Choose one of the following methods to use
all or part of the History layer in the current image.
Three Methods
Method #1 - Eraser Tool
Erase parts of the History layer with the Eraser tool.
You can use the Eraser brush at 100% opacity.
Or, reduce the brush opacity in the options bar.
Some of the layers below the History layer will be mixed with
the History layer.
Method #2 - Clipping Group
Make a clipping group.
Do the following.
Let's say your Layers panel (Layers palette) looks like this.
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History
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Background copy
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Background
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1) Make sure the Background copy layer is active (highlighted).
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History
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Background copy
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Background
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2) Create a blank
layer.
The blank layer is between the History layer and the Background
copy layer.
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History
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Layer 1
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Background copy
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Background
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3) Make sure the History layer is active (highlighted).
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History
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Layer 1
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Background copy
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Background
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4) Group the History layer with Layer 1.
If you haven't already done so, go to
How to Group.
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↓ History
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Layer 1
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Background copy
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Background
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5) Select the Brush tool.
6) Make sure the foreground color is black.
If you haven't already, go to
Foreground & Background Colors.
You can use the Brush tool at 100% opacity.
Or, reduce the brush opacity in the options bar.
7) Make sure Layer 1 is active (highlighted).
8) Brush where you want the History layer to appear on the current
image.
If the brush opacity is below 100%, some of the History layer
will be mixed with the layers below.
Method #3 - Layer Mask
Create a layer mask.
Do the following.
Let's say your Layers panel (Layers palette) looks like this.
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History
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Background copy
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Background
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1) Make sure the Background copy layer is active (highlighted).
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History
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Background copy
|
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Background
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2) Create a
Levels adjustment layer.
The layer will only be used to create a mask, not for any levels
adjustments.
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History
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Levels
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Background copy
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Background
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3) Make sure the History layer is active (highlighted).
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History
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Levels
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Background copy
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Background
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4) Group the History layer with the levels adjustment layer.
If you haven't already done so, go to
How to Group.
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↓ History
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Levels
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Background copy
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Background
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5) Make sure the Levels adjustment layer is active (highlighted).
6) Make sure the foreground color is black.
If you haven't already, go to
Foreground & Background Colors.
7) Press Alt + Backspace (Delete).
The mask in the Levels adjustment layer is now filled with black.
Black blocks the History layer.
8) Select the Brush tool.
9) Make sure the foreground color is white.
You can use the Brush tool at 100% opacity.
Or, reduce the brush opacity in the options bar.
10) Make sure the Levels adjustment layer is active (highlighted).
11) Brush where you want the History layer to appear on the current
image.
If the brush opacity is below 100%, some of the History layer
will be mixed with the layers below.
