5 Replies Latest reply: Jan 16, 2011 9:11 AM by Big Jimm RSS

    How do you “unlock” a layer?

    Big Jimm Community Member

      How do you “unlock” a layer in CS5? I'm not good with layers (or much else). Often I want to alter

      a jpg that seems to have 2 or 3 layers and I just want to alter the “overall” picture a little bit.

       

      Thank you.

       

      Big Jimm

        • 1. Re: How do you “unlock” a layer?
          Wade_Zimmerman Community Member

          Why are the layers locked?

           

          by default the background layer is locked you have to turn it into a real layer before unlocking it.

           

          You double click it to make it a real layer and by default it will be unlocked

           

          Screen shot 2011-01-15 at 8.45.49 AM.png

           

          after you double click you get this

           

          Screen shot 2011-01-15 at 8.49.51 AM.png

           

          and then it becomes this

           

          Screen shot 2011-01-15 at 8.49.58 AM.png

           

          to lock a layer you highlight it by clicking on it in the layers panel then clicking on of all things the lock icon where it says lock To unlock you do the same just highlight and click the lock

           

          Screen shot 2011-01-15 at 8.45.56 AM.png

           

          The background layer can be altered but you cannot move it a real layer cannot be altered if it is locked.

           

          But what you might actually mean is the fat that if a layer is not highlighted you cannot work on it you can only work on the highlighted. You can highlight more than one layer and do some work on it like move them together but editing the pixels requires one layer to be highlighted.

           

          You should read the help files to learn more about working with layers and get a book or tow or take a course in photoshop.

          • 2. Re: How do you “unlock” a layer?
            Big Jimm Community Member

            But, what do you do if you click on it and it doesn’t unlock it?

             

            Big Jimm

            • 3. Re: How do you “unlock” a layer?
              PECourtejoie CommunityMVP

              Hello, I would check the color mode, as some modes do not accept layers. (Image>Mode) and set it to RGB.

              But you said that you have a JPEG with layers? that is impossible.

              Did you double-click  the background layer ? Did you click on the lock on top of the layers?

              • 4. Re: How do you “unlock” a layer?
                Wade_Zimmerman Community Member

                I agree with you Pierre this looks suspicious but let us see with this video if the Op says they can't do this then they have to post screenshot and or describe what they really have in front of them.

                 

                Edit: the movie was too big so even the simplest movie about layers would be too big to post.

                 

                Now I may have describe this incomplete but there is a limit to the size of a movie I can post but you should be able to understand the general way you can work with layers.

                 

                You should also take a class so an instructor and other students can assist you because yu are describing things that are not telling us anything.

                 

                Also read the help files about working with layers.

                • 5. Re: How do you “unlock” a layer?
                  Big Jimm Community Member

                  It was a single layer jpg. Changing to RGB fixed it so it would unlock. Thank you.

                   

                  I'm sorry for my elementary postings here. I'm embarrassed to ask the questions I do as I realize the expert level in which I'm surrounded. I admire you all and wish I had your knowledge.

                   

                  But, I’m 80 and now have a fairly serious dementia problem regarding remembering, learning, etc. I'm just not able to go out and take courses or do a lot of reading anymore because of that and poor eyesight. (In fact, I subscribe to Lynda and have several of the latest PSCS5 books. But, even the most minor “research” has become confusing and difficult).

                   

                  I do keep up with the latest versions of PS and ID, although I only use them, now, for sending things to friends.

                   

                  While old nuts like me are a burden to the forum, for me to be able to type my dumb questions here is SO HELPFUL. (I did check the “help” in PS but didn’t get my answer there).

                   

                  At any rate, thank you all for your help.

                   

                  Big Jimm