Transparency help

[redblueyellow]

Hi, I'm trying to piece together an image composed of multiple parts, and I feel like I can save a lot of time on the piecing together process than what I'm doing now.

The parts have transparency, and are on a transparent background, but when I try to overlap them to complete the image, the transparency acts as a color, and covers parts of the image. (see image below)

 

Putting the various pieces on multiple layers has been working for the time being, but it has become very time consuming.

Is there a feature that works similar to microsoft paint's transparent selection, where the secondary color (or in this case, a transparent background) is actually transparent?

I feel like I'm missing something blatantly obvious...

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[BoltBait]

What you want to do is put that body on its own layer. Then, when it is positioned the way you want, merge the layer down.

[redblueyellow]

Is there an easier method than using layers? That's what I've been using so far, but with around 10 pieces to each image, the process can take up a lot of time. (Sorry if I sound lazy )

Edited September 13, 2013 by redblueyellow

[DarkShock]

^ That's pretty much the easiest method right there. It's really not that difficult.

[Ego Eram Reputo]

when I try to overlap them to complete the image, the transparency acts as a color,

 

You've made a rectangular selection including some transparent areas.  When you move the selection, the transparent bits are being moved too.

 

Use layers.  One element to each layer.  That's absolutely the correct way to do it.

[gstevew]

I'm not the greatest at this stuff either but I just bought the ebook. I'm having the same problem but it's just superimposing one image over another. I have each on separate layers but the commnd to merge the layer down is greyed out.

[Ego Eram Reputo]

Activate the upper layer by clicking on it in the Layers Window. Then you should be able to merge.

The reason Merge Layer Down is not enabled is that you have the lowest layer active and there is nothing below it to merge it into.