Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I remove a background from an image or merge images?

I can explain an overview of the process but can't get into too much detail without knowing the program. The approach to the process might vary based on the image you were working with. Here is the approach I take.

1. Make sure the original image you are starting with is on a editable layer, if its a background layer, double-click it to unlock it and give it a name. Keep the Layers palette open for future reference.

2. Take the image you are going to use as the replacement background and add it to the original drawing as a new layer. There are many different ways of doing this but I would probably just suggest using Select > All and then Edit > Copy in the replacement background image, then go to the original image and do Edit > Paste. Note the change in the Layers palette now showing both images. Close the replacement background image as we will only need the original image for the rest of the process.

3. Set the correct layer order, next we'll want to change the layer order so the original image is directly above the replacement background that you copy/pasted in the prior step. Drag replacement background layer to the bottom of the list. Note: this is not possible if you didn't complete step one.

4. Last step would be changing the original background in the original image to be transparent to show through to the replacement background below. This would involve making a selection of the original background and then making it transparent. The quality of your selection will impact the quality of your results. Once again, many different ways to make the selection, the recommended process would vary based on source image and which application you were working with. Generally, I would use the Quick Selection tool and then Refine Edge and use this as the basis for a Layer Mask. You could just as easily make a selection with the magic wand and just delete the content though. I would recommend looking around the net at different tutorials. You'll see may different approaches but all using more less the same overall process described here.

Image size defaulting back to 1inch by Xinch after cropping. Why?

To reset a tool, hold down the Control key (mac) or right-click on the Tool Preset Picker on the Tool Options bar and choose "Reset Tool" to reset the selected tool, or "Reset All Tools" to reset the settings for all the tools in Photoshop's tool bar:

How do I combine or mix two photos together?

The techniques for combining images and removing backgrounds are one in the same.

How do I remove window bar and grey background on Mac in CS6?

To return to the Photoshop CS5 behavior on Mac choose Window>Application Frame to toggle the Application Frame off.

Why can't I see more than one image at a time? Can I turn off tabbed documents?

You can disable tabbed documents by going to Preferences > User Interface... and unchecking "Open Documents as Tabs" and "Enable Floating Document Window Docking."

How do I drag a layer from one document to another?

While you can't drag from the Layers panel to non-active document tab (which is something we hope to improve in the future), you can use the Move Tool to drag from one tabbed document to another.

Why does the delete key bring up the Fill dialog in Photoshop CS5, CS6?

To "Fill" a selection with the background color in Photoshop, use the shortcut cmd + delete (mac) ctrl + delete (win). This works on all layers in all versions of Photoshop.

To bring up the "Fill" dialog and use "Content Aware Fill" when deleting content from floating layers use shift + delete.

To "Fill" a selection with the foreground color in Photoshop, use the shortcut option + delete (mac) alt + delete (win). This works on all layers in all versions of Photoshop.

I don't like the way the zoom tool works in Photoshop CS5. How do I change it back to the way it worked in previous versions?

This behavior can be startling if you're expecting the old behavior. The key is to understand how the new behavior works.

Start the zoom by clicking on the area you want to zoom into and keep the mouse button down. As you drag right, you zoom into the point where you initially clicked. As you drag left, you zoom out from the point where you initially clicked.

If you decide that you still prefer the old behavior, you can disable the new behavior by selecting the Zoom Tool and unchecking "Scrubby Zoom" on the tool options bar.

How do I uninstall the Photoshop CS6 beta?

If you installed the Photoshop CS6 Beta - It's IMPORTANT to uninstall the Photoshop CS6 beta using the uninstaller. Do *not* manually drag the Photoshop CS6 beta application folder to trash.

Why change the crop tool in CS6? How can I get the old behavior back?

Many of the new crop tool features are the result of feedback from customers.

If you prefer the old behavior better, simply click the gear icon in the Crop tool options bar and check "Use Classic Mode".

How do reposition the crop area after selecting the crop tool?

If this is Photoshop CS6, I think I see what you're referring to. If you go to crop, the tool is in marquee draw mode. Sounds like you simply want to move the crop region instead. If you draw and marquee and undo, you get that mode of the tool.

I couldn't find a modifier to get into that state. Let me ask the engineer to developed the feature.

Why doesn't Command/Control + z undo each history step?

Photoshop�s unusual Cmd-Z mapping is due to the fact that the app lets you toggle across multiple history states in one keypress.

For example, you might do something, then click 10 steps back in the History panel. Let�s say you then hit Cmd-Z. Would you expect Photoshop to undo the most recent operation (getting you back to where you�d been prior to the last click), or to go to the 11th-back history state (that is, to go further back in time)? I�d expect PS to do what it does now: it undoes the click instead of digging me deeper.

I�m not sure it�s possible to preserve the current (and to my mind correct) behavior while also making Cmd-Z work in the more common way (which would also be correct). Of course PS could ask customers to make a choice via a dialog, but that�s just a recipe for blank stares.

If you don't like the default behavior, Photoshop allows you to change the shortcuts by selecting Edit>Keyboard Shortcuts Simply remap the current shortcuts.

Why are there white grid lines around the pixels when I zoom in really far? How do I make it go away?

What you are seeing is called the "Pixel Grid" which makes seeing the individual pixels easier to see when doing pixel by pixel editing.

You can disable the Pixel Grid by selecting View > Show > Pixel Grid.

Why does changing the light direction of layer styles on one layer affects EVERY LAYER with the same effect?

This is not a bug. It is a feature called "Global Light" which allows you to control layer styles globally within your document. If you don't want layer effects/styles to be affected by Global Light, uncheck "Use Global Light" if you don't want the angle setting to affect other effects in your document.

My brush cursor looks broken at certain zoom levels in Photoshop on Windows (XP, Vista, Windows 7).

The cursor is drawn using OpenGL and your video card. The driver for your particular video card is likely out-of-date.

Go directly to your card manufacturer's website to obtain the latest driver for your video card: