2) Is there an easy way to combine images when a chip obverse and reverse are different? I have tried this and the images always get pasted on top of each other, and I can't seem to shift them side by side.

I use Photoshop CS2. Under File I scroll down to Automate and scroll down further and click on Photomerge:

Click on Browse, locate the two sides of the chip you want and Click OK. I space the two sides apart as far or as close as I want by clicking on one side and dragging it apart.