I saw this on a site layout once, and i was wondering how to make this: http://x.ad0re.net//lay/smile.jpg see where all the content is supposed to go? how do you make that slightly transparent white box in Photoshop 7?

easiest way for me to tell you:

select the area with the rectangular marquee tool. then choose the dodge tool in a large brush and click on the part you've selected. it will lighten.

or you can make that part you want to lighten a separate layer and change the opacity.

sorry if this is kinda noobish, but how do you make the marquee box thing a separate layer and then how do you change the opactiy? i suck in graphics. Photoshop has WAY too many buttons to press!

okay using your marquee tool, select the part that you want to be transparent. press ctrl+x to cut it.

make a new layer and press ctrl+v to paste the selection onto the new layer.

now zoom waaaay in and make the second layer (the one you just pasted) fit exactly onto the part you just cut out. when you zoom out it should look exactly as it did before you cut it.

from there you can use the dodge tool on your second layer as i said before.

The way I normally do it, I make a new layer, select a rectangle or other shape that I want to be transparent, and then on the new layer, fill in the shape with a solid color. Usually white, although sometimes other light shades look better. Then I go to the Layers Palette, which should be on the right side of the screen towards the middle, and fiddle with the Opacity of the new layer until it looks right. Usually between 50 and 60% is good for me.

If you're having a lot of trouble just navigating Photoshop, the Help is pretty good.

Good luck with your site.

Thanks! You helped me alot!!