Photoshop: Automatically blend layers

With the help of the "Automatically blend layers" function in Photoshop you can connect two images with a smooth transition or combine several depth of field points in one image. We'll show you how.

Step 1: prepare Photoshop layers

Let individual layers fade automatically, creating a smooth transition between two layers. For example, you can use it to compose two photos like a kind of panorama - Photoshop CS 6 automatically fades the transition. Alternatively, you can blend several images so that you combine the different focus points on one level.

1. To do this, import the two images into Photoshop so that they appear as two different layers in the Layers window. If one of them is a background layer, right-click on the layer name, select "Layer from background" and confirm with "OK".
2. If your layers are not rasterized, you still have to do that. You can see this from the fact that there is a small symbol in the layer thumbnail. In this case, right-click on the layers and select "Rasterize layer".

Step 2: Fade PS levels automatically

After you have prepared the layers so far, you can now use the "Automatically blend layers" function:

1. To do this, select the two levels by holding down the [Ctrl] or [CMD] key.
2. Click on "Edit" (CS6) in the program bar and select "Automatically blend layers". If you cannot find the function there, look under "Layer" in the program bar.
3. You can then choose between "Panorama" or "Stack images" in the small dialog window. If you choose the option you want, Photoshop automatically creates the blend effect.

Since you can only create mediocre panorama pictures with this function, we will show you in another practical tip how to create a chic panorama photo.