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WagsFresh
Participating Frequently
June 26, 2022
Answered

Why are all of my new layers backgrounds transparent?

  • June 26, 2022
  • 4 replies
  • 3167 views

So I skectched out a wolf, and I wanted to make my entire sketch an "object" so I could just click on it anywhere and move or transform it, (instead of having each line being an individual/its own path) So I played around with clipping masks and Vector masks and layer styles (because I am trying my best to relearn PS) and I couldnt figure out how to make the drawing its own... thing... seperate from the BG, well now, every new layer I open, comes with a transparent background.... How do i fix this? (Kudos if you can help me with my original issue too!)

 

 

 

[Duplicate threads with replies — posted one hour apart — merged by moderator. Please post once, thank you!]

 

 

 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Michael Bullo

Are you familiar with Smart Objects? You could continue to paint different strokes on different layers which gives you maximum flexibility when it comes to editing individual elements. Selecting these layers within the Layers panel, right mouse click on a non-thumbnail part of the layer and choose "Convert to Smart Object". This Smart Object can be manipulated as a single entity. Double clicking on the Smart Object thumbnail within the Layers panel opens the Smart Object (essentially an embedded Photoshop file) and gives you access to the original unaltered layers. Make changes, save and close the Smart Object to return to your main composition.

4 replies

Michael Bullo
Community Expert
Michael BulloCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
June 26, 2022

Are you familiar with Smart Objects? You could continue to paint different strokes on different layers which gives you maximum flexibility when it comes to editing individual elements. Selecting these layers within the Layers panel, right mouse click on a non-thumbnail part of the layer and choose "Convert to Smart Object". This Smart Object can be manipulated as a single entity. Double clicking on the Smart Object thumbnail within the Layers panel opens the Smart Object (essentially an embedded Photoshop file) and gives you access to the original unaltered layers. Make changes, save and close the Smart Object to return to your main composition.

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    WagsFreshAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    June 26, 2022

    This worked exactly as I wanted it to! Thank you again!!!

      Michael Bullo
      Community Expert
      Michael BulloCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 26, 2022

      Excellent. Thank you.

        Michael Bullo
        Community Expert
        Michael BulloCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        June 26, 2022

        By default, new layers are transparent. If they were filled with say a solid white, all of the pixels on the layers below would be obscured.

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          WagsFreshAuthor
          Participating Frequently
          June 26, 2022

          I must be having an off day because the root of my problem was two things... 

          A. My layer oppacity was down to like 12% lol and 

          B. I had the blending mode set to something other than "Normal"

          Once corrected, everything was fixed...

          However... I just dont remember my little layer thumbnails showing the gray and white checker grid, I thought they always displayed white... It was a long night hahaha. Thank you for everything!!

            Michael Bullo
            Community Expert
            Michael BulloCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            June 26, 2022

            Ah the good old accidentally change the opacity or blending mode story. We've all been there mate 😉 Good to hear you are back on track.

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              WagsFreshAuthor
              Participating Frequently
              June 26, 2022

              Screenshot explains it all. Thank you in advance!!!

              Stephen Marsh
              Community Expert
              Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              June 26, 2022

              If I am understanding you correctly, you need to do two things:

               

              1) Convert from a Background image "layer" to a standard layer (Layer > New > Layer from Background)

               

              2) Remove all white outside of the outer edges of the image so that the background is transparent. There are many ways to do this, search for info on "remove background" or "remove white background" etc.

               

               

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                WagsFreshAuthor
                Participating Frequently
                June 26, 2022

                I found out my first issue with the background was my own error and the other was suggested to me to use "Smart Objects" and that ended up working out exactly as I was hoping it would. I do appreciate the reminder, however, that I have multiple options under the Layer drop down. Thank you!!!

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