How to Use the Layers Panel in Photoshop CS6

Using the Layers panel

The Layers panel lists all the layers in an image, displaying the layer names and
thumbnails of the content on each layer. You can use the Layers panel to hide, 
view, reposition, delete, rename, and merge layers. The layer thumbnails are 
automatically updated as you edit the layers.
1  If the Layers panel is not visible in the work area, choose Window > Layers.

The Layers panel lists five layers for the 04Working.psd file (from top to bottom):
Postage, HAWAII, Flower, Pineapple, and Background.
2  Select the Background layer to make it active (if it’s not already selected). 
Notice the layer thumbnail and the icons on the Background layer level:
•  The lock icon ( ) indicates that the layer is protected.
•  The eye icon ( ) indicates that the layer is visible in the image window. 
If you click the eye, the image window no longer displays that layer.
The first task for this project is to add a photo of the beach to the postcard. First,
you’ll open the beach image in Photoshop.

3  In the Mini Bridge panel, double-click the Beach.psd file in the Lesson04 
folder to open it in Photoshop.

The Layers panel changes to display the layer information for the active 
Beach.psd file. Notice that only one layer appears in the Beach.psd image: 
Layer 1, not Background. (For more information, see the sidebar, “About the 
background layer.”)

About the background layer

When you create a new image with a white or colored background, the bottom layer in
the Layers panel is named Background. An image can have only one background. You
cannot change the stacking order of a background layer, its blending mode, or its opac-
ity. You can, however, convert a background layer to a regular layer.
When you create a new image with transparent content, the image doesn’t have a back-
ground layer. The bottom layer isn’t constrained like the background layer; you can move
it anywhere in the Layers panel, and change its opacity and blending mode.
to convert a background layer into a regular layer:
1  Double-click the name Background in the Layers panel, or choose Layer > 
New > Layer From Background.
2  Rename the layer, and set any other layer options.
3  Click OK.
to convert a regular layer into a background layer:
1  Select a layer in the Layers panel.
2  Choose Layer > New > Background From Layer.