Locking layers

You can fully or partially lock layers to protect their contents. When a layer is locked, a lock displays to the right of the layer name. The lock is solid when the layer is fully locked so that no editing is possible; it is hollow when only the layer's transparency is locked. Locked layers can be moved to a different location within the stacking order of the Layers palette, but they cannot be deleted. When a layer is fully locked, you cannot edit the pixels, move the image, or change the opacity, blending mode, or layer style applied to that layer. When a layer's transparency is locked, painting and editing are confined to those areas of a layer already containing pixels. For example, you can lock a layer's transparency if you want to edit an object (adding special effects, changing color) without adding pixels to the transparent area outside the object.

To lock all layer properties:

1 Select the layer in the Layers palette.

2 Click the Lock All icon () at the top of the Layers palette.

To confine editing to the opaque portions of a layer:

1 Select the layer in the Layers palette.

2 Click the Lock Transparency icon () at the top of the Layers palette.

Note: For type and shape layers, transparency is locked by default and cannot be unlocked.

Using Layers > Editing layers > Locking layers