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

 CRAP!!! here i am typing away!! and just when i can get through all my distractions and actually hit the send button!  you go ahead a fix it!!!!

oh wellllll
:)
scott

 what is your default working space in PS?

RGB (sRGB IEC61966-2.1) ??    Apple RGB?? Apple RGB (1998) ??

you can also look into GAMMA settings...   windows uses a 2,2 gamma setting and mac uses a 1.8 so colors appear darker on widows than they do on a mac. you may be running into a similar issue between programs...  

hope it's a poke in the right direction..
if not, disregard what i said ;)

scott

 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

THANKS !  useful link   (just had to do a series of icons for a new website...)
:)
retrocity

  Seems like it might be a fun challenge!

keep in mind ...if you guys make it BIG  - don't forget the lowly PS guy who did the logo :)

retrocity

 try taking a copy of a layer and use the smudge tool with your stylus to push the pixels around like digital paint. Experiment with the "strength" setting and the layer opacity.

another thing to do is to use the clone tool on a blank layer (of course you need to select the target from a layer with pixels on them... but switch to your blank layer to "clone to"). this way you can use the layer color mode too to can a desired effect...

i'll try to make a quick example

retrocity

 i tend to want to have as much control as possible which is why i often do things the hard way. but i have to agree with Steve, i'd had great results with the generator. 

sometimes when we come up with a "how-to" tutorial on some effect, we forget to document every step and once to results don't match up with the example the whole thing spirals down the toilet.

retrocity

 there's not a way that i'm  aware of, but then, i've not come across this need, so it's not to say it can't be done, and we've already talked about learning new stuff everyday.

i'll play around and see what i can come up with.

:)
retrocity

 if the PDF was created in a layout program (like word, indesign, illustrator) you "might" be able to using Adobe Acrobat (standard or pro). if the PDF is a graphic it might be harder.

any way the easiest way would be to open the PDF directly in PS and add a new layer where you want the new text and mask out the old one...

:)
retrocity

 thanks for the link swamp!

can never have too many brushes (unless you try to load them all at once!!!) ;)

retrocity

 I have to agree with Jack, NAPP is well worth the money. I was a member up until this last year, when the company i work for decided not to renew and with a daughter in college, i didn't have the money aside so the membership lapsed. i''m planning on picking it back up soon.

:)
retrocity

 bone AWESOME job!!

i have to agree with Lucie, doing such a great job with a MOUSE...

i forget sometimes how much i rely on my stylus until i get on someone else's system and have to move around with a mouse!!!

:)
scott

yep you can get a 30 day demo of PS (CS4) - i wouldn't try downloading it on a dial-up connection...

as for the learning curve,  there is a LOT that you can do in photoshop, that said, you don't really need to learn EVERYTHING about the program, you just need to learn how to do the stuf YOU want to do...

What i use PS for when i'm dealing with photos in RAW format is totally different then when i'm using photoshop to comp a website, and still quite different when i'm working on a brochure...

i've been with photoshop since 2.5 (still have the floppies) and i'm STILL learning something all the time!

i can tell you, there are a few things that you were able to do "quite easily" in paint shop pro, that will be handled differently in PS and it will drive you crazy!! keep in mind you can still accomplish the same task but if both programs were identical in the process, one of them would be in a copyright violation :) 

if you have any problem we're always here to help.

:)
retrocity