Selecting layers

If your image has multiple layers, you must select what layer you want to work on. Any changes you make to the image affect only the active layer, except for changes made with adjustment layers, and some changes to linked layers. You select a layer to make it active, and only one layer can be active at a time.

If you don't see the desired results when you use a tool or apply a command, you may not have the correct layer selected. Check the Layers palette to make sure the desired layer is highlighted.

To select a layer:

Do one of the following:

• In the Layers palette, select a layer's thumbnail or name to make it active.
• Select the move tool, right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS) in the image, and choose the layer you want from the context menu. The context menu lists all the layers that contain pixels under the current pointer location, and all adjustment layers.

To select layers interactively as you use the move tool in the document window, select Auto Select Layer in the Move tool options bar. When this option is selected, the move tool selects the topmost layer containing opaque pixels under the pointer. (See Moving, copying, and pasting selections.)