Background Clarification 1

[mscallisto]

When I create a new file...File > New, and choose (RGB) and (Use Background color), black in this case, I see the layer is titled "Background".

If I duplicated the initial layer "background" creating layer "copy of backgroung" then deleting "background" am I still where I was at the beginning?

My question is, is "Background" simply the bottom layer or is there more to it.

 

[jimoblak]

Background, the italicized label in the layer palette, is a background layer that does not offer any transparency or layer effects. You can double-click on this psuedo-layer to make it a real layer.

Double-clicking on the background does the same thing as your 'copy and delete original' method described above.

- - picklefish - -

 

[mscallisto]

Thanks Jimoblak (but)

If I delete my background and replace it with a new layer, don't touch transparency, leave layer effects normal and opacity 100% does that layer make subsequent layers look any different than if I had stuck with the original Background ?

In practice I stick with the normal background, I simply want to know if Background had any special purpose.

Why does it not offer any transparency or layer effects?

 

[blueark]

Background exists for a number of reasons, mainly compatibility. If you create a new layer and fill it with a color, it still contains transparency information. Many file formats can't really deal with this, and it can also cause problems when importing into other programs. Also, some beginners find it unintuitive to erase part of their image and find a strange checkered pattern appearing. Besides, you can always double-click the background to turn it into a normal layer.

 

[mscallisto]

Thanks Blueark

So do I need the background to flatten images to?

 

[SPYDERIX]

Hi,

If you don't have a background layer and you flatten the image it will create a background layer behind all your layers and merge everything for you automatically.

Hope this helps!

Keep up to date with my 2003 NHL Playoffs Wallpaper

http://www.spyderix-designz.com/nhl/nhl_playoffs.jpg

 

[jimoblak]

Why does it not offer any transparency or layer effects?

These layer effects affect whatever is below the layer. If the background layer is at the bottom of the stack of layers, it does not need to affect anything below it.

Yes, Background is simply a layer in the back. Since it is at the bottom of your layer stack, it does not have all the whiz-bang tricks of the layers above it (until you double-click on it and make it an editable layer).

Since the majority of image formats do not use layers or transparency, Photoshop images have traditionally been saved or exported as flat images. Transparency has often been faked with clipping paths and alpha channels. New software is starting to make use of the ability to have a transparent background. I love being able to place transparent PSD files in programs like InDesign and FinalCut.

- - picklefish - -

 

[mscallisto]

Thanks Jimoblak your explanation was clear as glass!

Thanks to all for your responses.

Nice site Spyderix but what happened to Ottawa?