Right on Retrocity. I am in the same boat. I have planet, which I have cropped and wish to insert into a picture of a sunset, thus using that planet as the sun, then adding additional elements. My problem is getting the background out. The background is black, I know there is an automatic filter to use that makes Photoshop remove plain black. I have also converted it to a transparancy, but it did not remove the black within the "striped planet" I am not sure of layers either, I can add them, make groups, but cannot seem to make them blend together for, well any project. I am anxious to show this one to you guys, but cannot get past this little problem. I have tried to paint out the black but it did not work. I am very new to the computer graphic thing, I used to draw, paint, etc via hand, but due to an onset of a neural problem, I am loosing my ability to control pressure and all else that goes with it. The computer is my best hope. Sissy-Boogie, this has been my "home" for everything, I am glad to have fallen into the door, hope I don't wear my welcome. I too am kinda new, I have worked on computers for a long time, but on a regular office use and programming, this to me is a new journey. And this is the exact planet to land on. Again, hope those links helped, There is another one I have, but it is at work. If I remember, I will pass it along also. Have a great evening, and weekend. I can't wait for your accomplishment to come into light. Xeno66