Simulate Photoshop's Layer Masks Feature in Photoshop Elements

Layer masks are one of the features in Photoshop that Adobe did not carry over to Photoshop Elements. However, it's easy to duplicate this effect by grouping your layer with an adjustment layer. Here's how:

1. If the layer you want to mask is the background, first convert it to a regular layer, by double-clicking the background layer in the layers palette. Type a name for the layer and click OK.
2. Add a solid color adjustment layer using any color as the fill.
3. Drag the color fill layer below the layer you want to mask. in the layer's palette, select the layer above that you want to mask, and press Ctrl-G to group it with the color fill layer. Your layers palette should look like the image shown on this page.
4. Now the mask of the color fill layer will act as a mask on the layer above.
5. Paint or fill with black on the mask to erase, white to reveal.

For a one-click layer mask function in Photoshop Elements, download and install my free Layer Mask Tool for Photoshop Elements.