automatic layer detection

[bartonlew]

Let's say you have an image with many layers; it's complex and layers are overlapping each other.  You want to easily identify the correct layer for a part of your image.  Is there a way to click in that area and quickly determine which layer it's on?  

[JJMack]

Check out the move tool's  tool option bar options.

[Conrad_C · Accepted solution]

With the Move tool selected, right-click the image, and the context menu that pops up will list all layers with overlapping non-transparent pixels under the pointer position. If you choose a layer name from the menu, it will become selected.

JJMack’s suggestion is another good way to do it. Enable Auto-Select Layer/Group in the options bar for the Move tool, and clicking the image with the Move tool will select the topmost layer/group with non-transparent pixels under the pointer.

Either way, the selected layer becomes highlighted in the Layers panel for you.

[Chuck Uebele]

I like Conrad's suggestion to right click with the move tool. That way you can see all the layers with some content at the place you right click. Then you can select that layer. Using auto select only selects the top most layer, so IMO, it's  ot as useful. I use the right click all the time.

[Stephen Marsh]

I also like the move tools "show transform controls" which can also help to visually "highlight" the layer contents.