How do I unlock background layer?

How do I unlock the background layer on free trial photoshop?

go to layers window and select the layer you are trying to unlock, There should be a lock icon next to name of layer, you can drag lock icon to trash can at the bottom of the layer window and layer will be unlocked. There is also a lock icon just above all the layers and you can toggle the layer as locked or unlocked. multiple ways to do the same task. Male sure to the select the correct layer you are trying to unlock. background layer applies as well.

Similar Messages

Newbie Question ... How do you Unlock Background Layer

How do you unlock the background layer? I put together an image then flattened it. Now it is showing as locked. I want to make changes to the various layers I used to make the image. The lock symbol in ghosted, as well as the Lock Grid image.
Can anyone offer any quick assistance?
Thanks.

You'll get better response on the Photoshop Elements forum for a Photoshop Elements question, of course.
But, meantime, try double-clicking on the Background layer on the Layersa palette.

How do you unlock a layer?

How do you unlock a layer?

Thank you. Perhaps I shouldn't have asked. I am using the trial version and feeling my way around. I have absolutely no embarrassment when learning. I will ask what others think are the dumbest questions. Thanks again.

Unlock background layer

How do I unlock the background layer without duplicating it first and deleting the locked layer. It's a nuisance. I never ever want that background layer locked. why is photoshop locking it by default?

I have always wondered why they locked the initial layer. Many times I will open a picture to do alterations on it, and many times I have to unlock that layer, pretty much all the time actually. It is simple to promote to a regular layer, I just don't see the productivity enhancement in locking it.
Many times a regular image you open will just have 1 layer, and the whole layer is the background layer. I agree that locking the "background" is a good idea, but not when an image is 99% of the time interpreted as a single layer, in the form of a locked background layer. Not that I'm sitting here day in and day out pulling my hair out over it, but it is slighty perplexing and slightly annoying, and I've always wanted to ask a Photoshop Guru the benefits of making this happen by default with no option to change it at all.

Unlocking Background Layer with lots of other layers

I've been looking at the similar questions, but no script has worked perfectly yet. I have a series of phoshop actions that I run on a regular basis. I have two version of each, one for if there's a locked background layer, and one for when its already been unlocked. Otherwise my actions error.
I'd like to simplify the process and have a script run that finds any locked layers (ie: background) and unlocks it, even if there are 15 other layers and even if I have another layer selected. It should also run without errors if there are no locked (background) layers to be found.
I don't know the first thing about writing my own scripts, so can somebody tell me what lines of code I'd need? Thank you Thank you!

function makeActiveByIndex( index, visible ){
    var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
    var ref = new ActionReference();
    ref.putIndex(charIDToTypeID( 'Lyr ' ), index )
    desc.putReference( charIDToTypeID( 'null' ), ref );
    desc.putBoolean( charIDToTypeID( 'MkVs' ), visible );
    executeAction( charIDToTypeID( 'slct' ), desc, DialogModes.NO );
function getNumberOfLayers(){
    var ref = new ActionReference();
    ref.putProperty( charIDToTypeID( 'Prpr' ), charIDToTypeID( 'NmbL' ) );
    ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID('Dcmn'), charIDToTypeID( 'Ordn' ), charIDToTypeID( 'Trgt' ) );
    return executeActionGet( ref ).getInteger( charIDToTypeID( 'NmbL' )) ;
function getProperty( psClass, psKey, index ){// integer:Class, integer:key
    var ref = new ActionReference();
    if( psKey != undefined ) ref.putProperty( charIDToTypeID( "Prpr" ), psKey );
    if(index != undefined ){
        ref.putIndex( psClass, index );
    }else{
        ref.putEnumerated( psClass , charIDToTypeID( "Ordn" ), charIDToTypeID( "Trgt" ) );
    try{
        var desc = executeActionGet(ref);
    }catch(e){ return; }// return on error
    if(desc.count == 0) return;// return undefined if property doesn't exists
    var dataType = desc.getType(psKey);
    switch(dataType){// not all types supported - returns undefined if not supported
        case DescValueType.INTEGERTYPE:
            return desc.getInteger(psKey);
            break;
        case DescValueType.ALIASTYPE:
            return desc.getPath(psKey);
            break;
        case DescValueType.BOOLEANTYPE:
            return desc.getBoolean(psKey);
            break;
        case DescValueType.BOOLEANTYPE:
            return desc.getBoolean(psKey);
            break;
        case DescValueType.UNITDOUBLE:
            return desc.getUnitDoubleValue(psKey);
            break;
        case DescValueType.STRINGTYPE:
            return desc.getString(psKey);
            break;
        case DescValueType.OBJECTTYPE:
            return desc.getObjectValue(psKey);
            break;
        case DescValueType.LISTTYPE:
            return desc.getList(psKey);
            break;
        case DescValueType.ENUMERATEDTYPE:
            return desc.getEnumerationValue(psKey);
            break;
var doc = app.activeDocument;
var layerCount = getNumberOfLayers();
var invisibleLayers = [];
var loopStart = Number(!doc.layers[doc.layers.length-1].isBackgroundLayer);
for(var layerIndex = loopStart;layerIndex<=layerCount;layerIndex++){
    if(!getProperty( charIDToTypeID('Lyr '), stringIDToTypeID( 'visible' ), layerIndex )) invisibleLayers.push(layerIndex);
for(var hiddenIndex=0;hiddenIndex<invisibleLayers.length;hiddenIndex++){
    makeActiveByIndex( invisibleLayers[hiddenIndex], true);
    if(doc.activeLayer.allLocked) doc.activeLayer.allLocked = false;
    if(doc.activeLayer.pixelsLocked) doc.activeLayer.pixelsLocked = false;
    if(doc.activeLayer.positionLocked) doc.activeLayer.positionLocked = false;
    if(doc.activeLayer.transparentPixelsLocked) doc.activeLayer.transparentPixelsLocked = false;
    doc.activeLayer.visible = false;

Unlocking Background layer

I am making a collage of pictures and realized I had added a number of pictures directly onto the background without creating separate layers. When I wanted to move some of them, I couldn't because the background is locked.Is there a way to unlock the background so I don't have to redo it?Abbey

Abbey,
To unlock the Background layer, simply double-click it and rename it to something other than "Background". The default name "Layer 0" is sufficient.
But I'm a bit confused. You say you already added some items to the background? Since these are not layers I'm guessing they are permanent and unlocking the Background won't buy you anything.
I find it good practice to first duplicate the Background layer, turn off it's visibility, and start working from the duplicate layer. This way the orignal will still be there in an emergency.

How to reveal the background layer through a cut-out?

How can I cut out a shape from my PS image to expose the background layer? I will "Save for Web" with a transparent background.
The shape will be a rectangle, and a text layer will later be added to display within the rectangle.
My goal is to use the PS image as part of a Web page, allowing the Web page background to show through the rectangle which surrounds the text.
Hope this explanation makes sense.
thanks!

Sounds like what you want to do is what countless others do - nothing special.
In Photoshop, put what you want to show on a layer (not Background), make it partially transparent (either with an erase operation or hiding parts of it with a mask), make sure no Background layer is showing (you'll see the checkerboard through the transparent parts), and save the work product as a PNG (or possibly a GIF, but PNG offers partial transparency).
You'll also want to save your design as a master PSD of course, so you can edit the master file
This page might give you some food for thought...
http://Noel.ProDigitalSoftware.com/temp/TransparencyTest/TransparencyTest2.html
-Noel

Can't unlock background layer using Photoshop CS3 Extended

I installed CS3 a few days ago (though I'm an experienced CS2 and Photoshop 6 user) and opened Photoshop CS3 Extended today for the first time.
The problem I'm having is with unlocking the background layer. I read in the documentation and on the Net about double-clicking and renaming the layer (which is what I did in other versions), or creating a new file with a transparent background, but those things aren't working for me in this version.
I opened a tiff file (a logo I want to use as the basis for a new image) but I can't unlock the background layer so I can copy, manipulate or add to it. Everything on the Layers drop-down menu is grayed out, as are the word Lock: and the symbols following it in the Layers window.
I tried creating a new image but when File|New dialog box opens the option to use transparent in the Background Contents dropdown is grayed out, too.
I'd appreciate some help with this.
Thanks,
Peggy

The issue has to do with the mode that you are in. If it is a TIFF or GIF file that you are opening, when you click on "Image -- Mode" you are likely to see "Indexed Color..." with a checkmark next to it. Be sure to select "RGB Color." Once you have done that, you can simply double-click the background layer in the layers palette to unlock the image.

Format Plug-in: How to access the "Background" layer?

Hello all.
I've been working on a Photoshop file format plugin, and for the most part, it's nearly done. However, while testing, I ran into a little problem. While it seems to work great, if there's at least one layer, it fails miserably if a "flat" image is being saved
It appears that, presumably because there aren't any layers,(i.e. layerCount=0), that no pixel data is available for converting/saving. Now the question is, how is one supposed to compensate for this? Is there a way, through the API, to either force Photoshop to promote the Background layer to a proper layer? Or some other way of accessing the pixelData for that layer?
I mean, I'd rather not have to force users to take extra steps prior to saving - as that just seems sloppy. So I'd appreciate it if someone could clue me in to how to respond to this.
Thanks,
Sean

Hello all.
I've been working on a Photoshop file format plugin, and for the most part, it's nearly done. However, while testing, I ran into a little problem. While it seems to work great, if there's at least one layer, it fails miserably if a "flat" image is being saved
It appears that, presumably because there aren't any layers,(i.e. layerCount=0), that no pixel data is available for converting/saving. Now the question is, how is one supposed to compensate for this? Is there a way, through the API, to either force Photoshop to promote the Background layer to a proper layer? Or some other way of accessing the pixelData for that layer?
I mean, I'd rather not have to force users to take extra steps prior to saving - as that just seems sloppy. So I'd appreciate it if someone could clue me in to how to respond to this.
Thanks,
Sean

Lightroom does not create a background layer when editing in Photoshop - on Mac.

Thought this was a Photoshop problem. When I select a portion of an image in Photoshop (which has come from Lightroom) and press Delete, it no longer brings up the Fill dialog; it just deletes the pixels.
After some discussion on the Photoshop forum, I see that now, when I tell Lightroom "Edit in Photoshop", it creates a file which does not have a Background layer, and this causes the Delete key to act differently. This was not the case several weeks ago, but has just started to happen. Is there any adjustment I can make to the "Edit In" settings to get a Background layer in Photoshop?
JK

You must have changed a setting in Photoshop because Lr has no influence on how Photoshop treats the background layer.
There is nothing you can do in Lr to change this behavior of Photoshop.
What happens in Photoshop is this: For some reason the image is opened with transparent background.Such an image does not have a background layer and the layer at the bottom does not have the constraints of a regular background layer.
I am not aware of any command or script in Photoshop that would automatically do this on opening a file.
Try this: Reset your Workspace (>Window >Workspace). If that doesn't help I'd suggest to ask on the Photoshop forum why your Photoshop opens an image with transparent background.
You could also try to re-install Photoshop, supposedly this would reset any hidden settings that are causing this.

How do you make the layer mode take effect with no background in Elements?

I have a picture of water splashing over a black background (like this:
although this isn't the exact one). By turning the blending mode to "screen", I get the effect I want: it basically looks like the water is splashing over my image. The thing is, I need to save it as a .png file with part of the water "dripping" off the edge of my photo onto a transparent background (background must be transparent). The problem I have is as soon as the image hits the transparent background, the black comes back.
I need a way to either remove all the black from the photo or, more ideally, find a way to make the image I see in "normal" blending mode the same as the image I see in "screen" mode. Any ideas? (I have Photoshop Elements 7.0, btw)
Thanks!

I don't understand how you're using "screen" blending mode on a single image, but is this the effect you're trying to get (I used a blue colour to show the transparent area at the bottom of the image):
I used the free KillWhite plug-in (http://mikes3d.com/extra/scripting-plugins/killwhite/) with your image:
Converted the image to RGB. (Image...Mode...RGB Color)
Duplicated the background layer (Ctrl+J).
Inverted the colours on that duplicated layer (Ctrl+I), so that the black background becomes white.
Used KillWhite to...well...kill the white on that layer.
Inverted the colours again.
Used Enhance...Lighting...Brightness/Contrast as well as Levels to darken the water splash.
Added my flower image below the water splash layer and raised the bottom edge of the flower image to leave a transparent area.
My layers wound up looking like this:
Ken

In Aperture, how do you put a background layer behind text?

How do you put a background layer behind the text to offset the color of the pic from the text color? Right now, some pics have whites and blacks that drown out the text, making it hard to read...

I forgot: if you rather want to add a background instead of changing the color of your text:
To add a background behind a texbox,
simply edit the layout (Click "Edit Layout", click "+") and add a Photo Box;
drag the PhotoBox behind your text field.
click "edit content" and add a picture to the background box.
You'll need to import a suitable background photo, or crop some suitable background from one of your images.
Regards
Léonie

Why does the Background Layer unlock itself?

When I open a picture in PS the first layer is a locked background layer. If I start working in PS it changes automatically to an unlocked Layer 0. I want it to stay as an locked background layer. I have used PS for a few years, and just started happening.

With the new version of Photoshop if you work on the background layer and do something like click on the add layer mask icon in the layer palette. Since the background layer does not support transparency Photoshop knows you need to convert the background layer to a normal layer so Photoshop automatically does that for you. If you just paint on the background layer or clear or fill an area, stroke a selection it will remain a background layer with its transparency locked. The Background layer is only partially locked so you can work on it as shown by the un-filled in lock icon on the background layer in the layer palette. If you look here you see layer 2 is unlocked, Layer 1 is fully locked and the background layer is partly locked and has been worked on.

Help! How to make background layer colored

Hi. I have been reading the help section but can't find my
answer. Hope someone can help me.
How do you make the background layer of an image COLORED?
Especially, how do you make the background a colored GRADIENT FILL?
For example, on layer #1 I have just an abstract design of shapes.
I want a background layer#2 to be a separate SOLID fill of color,
or a gradient fill.
The only way I have figured out how to remotely do this is if I draw
a rectangle, then stretch it out to edge of "canvas", then fill it w/color
but the edges never line up perfectly. Isn't there a better way? Thank you so much!

Thx for your quick reply.
Really? Wow, well that is good to know then. I used to use
Illustrator yrs. ago and now I am kind of re-learning it. I just remembered-
couldn't one create a layer, then select the "paint bucket" tool, pick a color,
then fill a background that way? Maybe I am thinking of Photoshop....

Why is my Background Layer unlocked

Using Adobe, PSE 5.0, Windows XP
When I opened a blank file in the Full Editor a Background layer appeared on the Layers Palette with an icon that indicated the layer was Locked.
Next I loaded a JPG into the Full Editor. It appeared in the Palette Bin, and also appeared in the Background Layer's icon.
I Closed the JPG. It disappeared from the Palette Bin and the Background Layer icon.
I created another Layer. So now on the Layers Palette I have Layer 0 - Background - Locked, and Layer 1 - Unlocked . Aagin I load a JPG. It appeared in the icon of the Locked Background Layer instead of the unlocked layer 1. Why does this happen?

The palette just shows the layers in the current image. If you open a photo with a background layer, it shows the locked layer. If you open a photo with regular layers it shows those layers. When you switch another image to be the currently active image, the layers palette changes, too, to show you what is currently the state of the active image.

How do I unlock background layer?

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