How to add your own skies in Elements 2024: Is there a way to add your own skies to a picture in PS Elements 2024. I have found ways to do that in earlier versions, but they do not...

MikeLH Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Is there a way to add your own skies to a picture in PS Elements 2024. I have found ways to do that in earlier versions, but they do not seem to work in the latest version.
Thanks, Mike

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Darn, I thought you were going to tell us
"How to add your own skies in Elements 2024".

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

MikeLH wrote:

Is there a way to add your own skies to a picture in PS Elements 2024. I have found ways to do that in earlier versions, but they do not seem to work in the latest version.
Thanks, Mike

Nothing should have changed. Weren't you using layers, masking the old sky from one image and replacing with the sky from another image, then blending the layers?

Google always helps here, simply: google How to add your own skies in Elements 2024

Just watch a few demonstration videos on utube and away you go. Add 'utube' or 'video' to the google and you'll likely only get video demonstrations in the search results.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

MikeLH wrote:

Is there a way to add your own skies to a picture in PS Elements 2024. I have found ways to do that in earlier versions, but they do not seem to work in the latest version.
Thanks, Mike

I do not use PSE, but this might work if it is similar to PS CC.

Prepare the workspace

Base layer (where you want to replace the sky)
Sky layer

Solution #1
Use 'Blend if' on the sky layer to adjust for lower layer (base layer).
Blend if on background slider (light) if sky is lighter
Blend if on sky layer (dark) if sky is darker
Do not forget to use the split arrows to feather the selection. (Alt-click on the pointing arrow)

Solutions #2 & #3
Setup
Duplicate base layer.
Move the newly created layer on top of the sky layer, make sure this the layer you are editing.

Solution #2
Use select color to create a selection in the existing sky, press delete.

Solution #3
Use the background eraser tool to delete the existing sky, press delete.

All three solutions can use masking to prevent bleeding; the sky being visible where it should not be.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

MikeLH wrote:

Is there a way to add your own skies to a picture in PS Elements 2024. I have found ways to do that in earlier versions, but they do not seem to work in the latest version.
Thanks, Mike

Find out what format the stock templates are. Then convert your skies to that format and use some of the existing names in the stock folder after changing the name of those files to something else so as not to lose them. eg. existing file "nightsky1.xxx" to "nightsky1b.xxx."

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

If you don't want to work with layers in Advanced module, try this:

Use GUIDED EDITS - special edits - replace background.

Select what you want to keep, click choose new background, import a photo.

User cahale (above) has what sounds like an excellent workaround; I couldn't find the folder of PSE skies in a quick search, but you might look into that further.

MikeLH Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

My apologies, should have worded the title better.

MikeLH Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

cahale wrote:

Find out what format the stock templates are. Then convert your skies to that format and use some of the existing names in the stock folder after changing the name of those files to something else so as not to lose them. eg. existing file "nightsky1.xxx" to "nightsky1b.xxx."

This is along the lines that I was hoping for. I also use Luminar Neo and there is a simple way to add your own skies.
Not sure where exactly to look for where Elements 'stores' its skies, but will give it a try. Thanks!!

MikeLH Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

cahale wrote:

Find out what format the stock templates are. Then convert your skies to that format and use some of the existing names in the stock folder after changing the name of those files to something else so as not to lose them. eg. existing file "nightsky1.xxx" to "nightsky1b.xxx."

Do you know where the stock folders are? I have looked in the program folder and do not see any folder with a name that would indicate where they are located. Thanks!!

MikeLH Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Linda From Maine wrote:

If you don't want to work with layers in Advanced module, try this:

Use GUIDED EDITS - special edits - replace background.

Select what you want to keep, click choose new background, import a photo.

User cahale (above) has what sounds like an excellent workaround; I couldn't find the folder of PSE skies in a quick search, but you might look into that further.

Thanks Linda, it does work, but I need to work harder on selecting the background! User Cahale has a similar method to Luminar Neo and I'm hoping that there is a way to simply 'add' my skies to the available choices in Elements 2024. Thank you!!

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

MikeLH wrote:

Do you know where the stock folders are? I have looked in the program folder and do not see any folder with a name that would indicate where they are located. Thanks!!

Try going to Guided, then Perfect Landscape, Choose a New Sky.
(Elements 2024)

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

MikeLH wrote:

Do you know where the stock folders are? I have looked in the program folder and do not see any folder with a name that would indicate where they are located. Thanks!!

I must apologize to all. My 79 years are showing. I suspect what I stated would work with PS, but I do all my sky changes with Anthropics, and that is where I use the technique I described.

Bill_de Loc: US

oops

MikeLH Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Thanks to all that replied. I have used the standard way to add skies in Elements 2024, but was hoping there was an easy way to add my own skies similar to the way it is done in Luminar Neo, I have not yet worked with layers and masks, but will need to learn!! Thanks again for all your help!! Mike

Judy795

Although I don’t use Elements or PS much, I find it way easier to use Sky Replacement in PS instead.