Editing Layers

Change Layer Opacity in 1% Increments

Both: Type two numbers quickly (11=11%, 63=63%, and so on)

This shortcut works only when you have an active selection or the Move tool is the active tool. Otherwise, this shortcut changes the opacity of the active Painting tool.

Change Layer Opacity in 10% Increments

Both: Type a single number (1=10%, 2=20%, and so on)

This shortcut works only when you have an active selection or the Move tool is the active tool. Otherwise, this shortcut changes the opacity of the active Painting tool.

Blend Mode Shortcuts

These shortcuts work only when the active tool doesn't support blend modes. Otherwise, this shortcut changes the opacity of the active painting tool. Blend modes can also be selected from the pop-up menu in the Layers palette.

Blend Mode	Mac	Win
Next Mode	Shift + + (plus)
Previous Mode	Shift + - (minus)
Normal / Threshold (bitmap mode only)	Option + Shift + N	Alt + Shift + N
Dissolve	Option + Shift + I	Alt + Shift + I
Multiply	Option + Shift + M	Alt + Shift + M
Screen	Option + Shift + S	Alt + Shift + S
Overlay	Option + Shift + O	Alt + Shift + O
Soft Light	Option + Shift + F	Alt + Shift + F
Hard Light	Option + Shift + H	Alt + Shift + H
Linear Light	Option + Shift + V	Alt + Shift + V
Vivid Light	Option + Shift + J	Alt + Shift + J
Pin Light	Option + Shift + Z	Alt + Shift + Z
Color Dodge	Option + Shift + D	Alt + Shift + D
Color Burn	Option + Shift + B	Alt + Shift + B
Darken	Option + Shift + K	Alt + Shift + K
Lighten	Option + Shift + G	Alt + Shift + G
Difference	Option + Shift + E	Alt + Shift + E
Exclusion	Option + Shift + X	Alt + Shift + X
Hue	Option + Shift + U	Alt + Shift + U
Saturation	Option + Shift + T	Alt + Shift + T
Color	Option + Shift + C	Alt + Shift + C
Luminosity	Option + Shift + Y	Alt + Shift + Y

Edit Layer Options

Menu: Layer Layer Options

Mouse: Double-click layer thumbnail or layer name

By popular request, in Photoshop 7, Adobe has restored the ability to rename a layer simply by double-clicking the layer name. Layer properties remain accessible by double-clicking the layer thumbnail.

Edit Layer Properties

Menu: Layer Layer Properties

Mac: Option + double-click layer thumbnail or layer name

Win: Alt + double-click layer thumbnail or layer name

Edit Blending Modes and Layer Styles

Menu: Layer Layer Style

Mouse: Double-click layer thumbnail or layer name

Edit Adjustment Layer Options

Menu: Layer Adjustment Options

Mouse: Double-click Adjustment icon

Convert the Background Layer

Mouse: Double-click the background layer and change its name

Or, in versions prior to 6.0, with the Move tool selected, nudge the layer up and then down by one pixel, using the up and down arrow keys.

The Background layer cannot support transparency. Use these shortcuts to convert the Background layer into a layer that does support transparency. The default name is Layer 0, but you can change the name to anything you want. You also need to convert the Background layer if you want to reposition it in the layer stack.

Note: If you want to add a Background layer back to a file, the only choice is to use the Layer New Background menu command. (In Photoshop 6 and 7, the menu selection is Layer New Background from Layer. If a Background layer already exists, the menu selection is Layer New Layer from Background.)