About layers in the Layers palette

Except in the case of adjustment layers and some changes to linked layers, changes to an image affect only the selected or active layer, which appears highlighted in the Layers palette. To make a layer active, you can select a layer in the Layers palette. (See Selecting layers.) You can accomplish many tasks--such as creating, hiding, linking, locking, and deleting a layer--using the icons in the Layers palette. You can access additional commands and options in the Layers menu and in the More menu in the Layers palette.

The Layers palette uses icons to provide information about layers. The leftmost column in the palette displays an eye icon next to visible layers and no eye icon next to hidden layers.

The second column from the left shows a paintbrush icon or layer mask icon next to the active layer; layers without either of these icons can't be modified. It also shows a link icon for layers that are linked to the active layer.

The right column lists the layer's name and may display additional icons. By default, this column also shows a thumbnail image of the layer which is updated as you edit the layer. You can change the thumbnail size or choose not to show thumbnails in the Layers palette by changing the Layers palette options.


Layers palette A. Layer lock options (from left to right): Transparency, All B. Show/Hide layer C. Indicates active layer D. Link/Unlink E. Layer thumbnail F. More menu G. Highlighted layer is active layer H. Locked layer I. Create a new fill or adjustment layer J. Create a new layer K. Delete a layer

Note: If you open a file that was created in Photoshop 7.0 or 6.0, the image may contain layer sets. Layer sets are indicated by a folder icon in the Layers palette and can contain multiple layers. Although Photoshop Elements doesn't support layer sets, it displays preexisting layer sets in their collapsed state. You can simplify a layer set to convert it to a single, editable raster layer. (See Simplifying layers.)