User's Manual

397
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS2
User Guide
To convert a layer into a background
1 Select a layer in the Layers palette.
2 Choose Layer > New > Background From Layer.
Any transparent pixels in the layer are converted to the background color.
Note: Y
ou cannot create a background by giving a regular layer the name Background—you must use the Background
From Layer command.
To create a new layer or group
A new layer appears either above the selected layer or within the selected group in the Layers palette.
1 Do one of the following:
• To create a new layer or group using default options, click the New Layer button or New Group button in
the Layers palette.
• Choose Layer > New > Layer or choose Layer > New > Group.
• Choose New Layer or New Group from the Layers palette menu.
• Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the New Layer button or New Group button in the Layers palette
to display the New Layer dialog box and set layer options.
• Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) the New Layer button or New Group button in the Layers
palette to add a layer below the currently selected layer.
2 Set layer options, and click OK:
Name Specifies a name for the layer or group.
Use Layer Below To Create Clipping Mask This option is not available for groups. (See “To create a clipping mask”
on page 437.)
Color Assigns a color to the layer or group in the Layers palette.
Mode Specifies a blending mode for the layer or group. (See “About blending modes” on page 410.)
Opacity Specifies an opacity level for the layer or group.
(Photoshop) Fill With Mode-Neutral Color Fills the layer with a preset, neutral color.
To create a new layer with the same effects as an existing layer
1 Select the existing layer in the Layers palette.
2 Drag the layer to the New Layer button at the bottom of the Layers palette. The newly created layer contains all
the effects of the existing one.
To convert a selection into a new layer
1 Make a selection.
2 Do one of the following:
• Choose Layer > New > Layer Via Copy to copy the selection into a new layer.
• Choose Layer > New > Layer Via Cut to cut the selection and paste it into a new layer.