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_Peggy_Herrington_
Participant
April 20, 2008
Answered

Can't unlock background layer using Photoshop CS3 Extended

  • April 20, 2008
  • 7 replies
  • 123963 views
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
    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer theparkerj

    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.

    7 replies

    deanp59348653
    deanp59348653
    Participating Frequently
    October 23, 2020

    That works. Thanks for the tip!  2020, I'm taking PS lessons with CS3 and iMac 2009 while the instructor is using CC. Ha ha...!

    T
    theparkerjCorrect answer
    Participant
    April 8, 2009

    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.

      konradpl
      konradpl
      Participant
      July 25, 2018

      This works, thank you!

      _
      _Silkrooster_
      Participating Frequently
      April 21, 2008
      The only mode that I know of that will do what Peggy says is the multichannel mode.
        N
        n8turepix
        Known Participant
        April 21, 2008
        Hold down the Alt key and double-click on the lock symbol on the background layer. It will rename to layer 0, unlocked.

        -Chris.
          A
          Anonymous
          April 20, 2008
          what's the mode? (image> mode)
            R
            Rodger5CD4
            Participant
            October 6, 2020

            If you select the color option under the mode, you can change it to RGB which allows you to do whatever you want to your image. 

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            _Peggy_Herrington_Author
            Participant
            April 20, 2008
            Hi Curt. Can't do that either; all options on the flyout menu are greyed, too.
            A
            Anonymous
            April 20, 2008
            If you right click on background can you duplicate layer or create layer from background?
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