How does an overlay differ regular .png?

[maureenreynolds]

I am wondering what the difference is in creation but mainly in use? vs say the brush made from a png. Or is there a difference? tia!

[dugarner]

Maureen,

An overlay can refer to the way you're going to use an element, and also to its blending mode. You can take any patterned paper, for instance, and de-saturate it if you want to, lay it over a solid color paper, and change the blending mode to overlay for an instant effect. (There are infinite different ways to do this, it's fun just experimenting!)

A png file doesn't have the white background that a jpeg file would have, it's a stand-alone graphic. So you can "lay it over" any other element on a page, but it's not the same effect you would get from an overlay blending mode. If you take a brush, for instance, and brush it on an empty layer, and save the document as "png," you will have just that brush image in its own file. If you saved it as a jpeg, Elements will paint the checkered transparent background white, and you would have to erase all the white to use the brush image as its own graphic.

There is confusion in the terminology; an overlay is usually an element designed specifically to have transparent or translucent sections that you can put on top of paper, for instance, to get a particular pattern or effect. (Like the word art transparency overlays in paper scrapbooking.)

I don't think I'm making sense, but I know what you're asking!

By the way, I was born and raised in Severna Park . . . my mom still works in West Annapolis, I'm headed that way at the end of June! Your name actually sounds familiar. Do you know Judie Luce?

Sarah

[maureenreynolds]

Thanks Sarah. You're on the right track to my question. I do know the difference between a jpeg and a png. It's just that some png 'elements' are called elements and some are called overlays. So is there fundementally a difference between the two named pngs? or have you already told me and I'm blanking.

Yes, I do know Judie if she is the same Judie who is a JinShinJyutsu practitioner. Do come say hello when you get up here. I am in Homewood. Is Judie your mother?!?!?
If so we can give you a double 'hands on'. Maureen

[dugarner]

Originally Posted by maureenreynolds

You're on the right track to my question. I do know the difference between a jpeg and a png. It's just that some png 'elements' are called elements and some are called overlays. So is there fundementally a difference between the two named pngs? or have you already told me and I'm blanking.

Yes, I do know Judie if she is the same Judie who is a JinShinJyutsu practitioner.

That's not my mom Judie, wow, I can't see her practicing that! She's athletic, but not like that, unless she's living a double life. She's an aerobics instructor and has also been a dance instructor at AACC for many years. I thought maybe I recognized your name from around town.

No, I don't think there's a difference between a png/overlay and a png/elements except maybe a subcategory of sorts.

It's confusing, but I think we're thinking along the same lines. I think don't worry so much about the name of the file, but how it would look good used. I think they are the same thing, except when a designer creates an "overlay" and names it that, they might be trying to communicate that it would look best on top of another layer, and maybe blended. But I would say they're absolutely interchangeable.

If that just confuses you more, maybe someone else can step in!

[LisaD]

Originally Posted by dugarner

That's not my mom Judie, wow, I can't see her practicing that! She's athletic, but not like that, unless she's living a double life. She's an aerobics instructor and has also been a dance instructor at AACC for many years. I thought maybe I recognized your name from around town.

No, I don't think there's a difference between a png/overlay and a png/elements except maybe a subcategory of sorts.

It's confusing, but I think we're thinking along the same lines. I think don't worry so much about the name of the file, but how it would look good used. I think they are the same thing, except when a designer creates an "overlay" and names it that, they might be trying to communicate that it would look best on top of another layer, and maybe blended. But I would say they're absolutely interchangeable.

If that just confuses you more, maybe someone else can step in!

Yep, I think you're right on there. A png file is a png file. But they are given the name of element or overlay based on the intended use. An overlay is generally larger in size (to mimic a 12x12 overlay in paper scrapping) although not always.

Don't get hung up on the name. Just use the item as you see fit.

[maureenreynolds]

Thanks all. I did notice that overlays are usually larger, and I am interested in getting ones for instant borders, or maybe making some. "fools rush in..." but it's still fun!