Workshop

Q&A

Q3:

Q1:	How can I convert a Background layer to a transparent layer?
A1:	The easy way is to rename it. If you double-click the Background layer in the Layers palette, you open its dialog box. By default, it appears as Layer 0. If you click OK, it is renamed and won't be a Background layer.
Q2:	Can I add a Background layer to an image that doesn't have one?
A2:	Yes. Use Layer New Background From Layer to convert the active layer into a Background layer.
Can I have more than one Background layer?
A3:	Sorry, only one per document.
Q4:	How many layer groups can I have?
A4:	As many as you have layers, for all practical purposes.
Q5:	When I went to change the size of the thumbnails by opening Palette Options, I also pressed the Option/Alt key by mistake. Something strange happened . What was that about?
A5:	Congratulations! You discovered one of Photoshop's hidden Easter Eggs! Easter Eggs are little goodies put in by the programmers to add some extra fun for users. You discovered Merlin! If you open the About Adobe Photoshop screen and wait for a bit, you'll see another one. After a while, the credits will begin to roll. You can speed them up by pressing Option (Mac) or Alt (Windows). Watch for the last credit. It's a good one. Macintosh users: Click over the word Adobe and wait after the credits scroll. There are some cute quotes. (Sorry, PC folks. It's a Macintosh thing.)

Quiz

1:	How many layers can you have? 10 100 999 It depends on how much RAM you have.
2:	The active layer is The layer on top The layer that's highlighted on the Layers palette The layer with an eye icon
3:	To hide a layer Drag it to the trash can. Press H. Click the eye icon to close it.

Quiz Answers

A1:	c. (at least theoretically); d is probably also true.
A2:	b. If it's not highlighted, you can't do anything to it. The eye simply means it's visible.
A3:	c. Think of it as playing peek-a-boo. If the eye can see you, you can see the layer.

Exercises

Let's do some more experimenting with layers. First, click the background color swatch and choose a medium-light color for a background. Then create a new document. Be sure to choose the Background Color from the Background pop-up menu. Choose a contrasting foreground color , make a new layer, and use a medium brush to write the number 1. Add layers, with a number on each, until you have about 10. Then, starting with the first one, apply different blending modes. Try changing the transparency of a layer. Move the number 5 to the upper-left corner of the screen. Merge Layers 2 and 3. Play around until you understand how the layers are working.