Hi, I have a strange situation. I'm using Photoshop CS and have been using it for years. Now, SUDDENLY, after all this time, when I use the Move tool to move a layer, whatever layer I'm on, Photoshop selects a different layer instead, typically the background. If I use the arrow keys to move it it moves the right layer. With the mouse, the selected layer usually (!) changes to some lower layer.

Like I said, it has worked fine for several years. Maybe I clicked something somewhere by mistake? This has been happening for a few weeks now it it's really annoying. Any thoughts??

By the way I'm using Mac OS X 10.4.11, and haven't installed anything new recently... Thanks for your help.

 Sometimes the MOVE TOOL (when selecting a layer) moves "through" a layer if the BLEND MODE of the layer your selecting is set to anything other than NORMAL. 

well kinda'.  it really is based on how the layer's pixels are interpeted... (sp?) it's best to make sure you click on a group of pixels you know are solid....

scott

I don't think it's the layer blending that's the issue. What's happened is that you've turned on the auto-select layer option of the move tool. Basically, with this selected clicking on the image will automatically activate the layer containing the pixels you happened to be over when you clicked.

Anyway, turn that off (it's an option on the toolbar in CS4, probably the same in CS) and all will be well.

Definitely, untick autoselect and it should work fine.

 I assumed you "meant" to have the AUTOSELECT checked...  when you're working on a file with a large number of layers (even if you've gotten around to name them...) , it's the fastest way to drill down to the right layer. 

i guess it's a personal preference... 

scott