If your 'base' layer has a lock you can choose the color, otherwise you will have a transparent 'base' layer and you will see the usual grey squares of a transparent layer.
Yet it seems like I used to be able to do it all the time in the past. I'm curious what's different. Because when I flatten the image, I lose all capabilities of changing things.
Although, this is probably a good thing, because too many times I've screwed up badly by continuing to work on the image at 800 pixels, only to find out I can't undo what I've done because I've done past my undo stage.
Hmmm...
I hate it when things force me to do it right. I want flexibility to do it my way!
I hate it when things force me to do it right. I want flexibility to do it my way!
Nothing should change in your workflow - just check the usual lock of your base layer, that's all :)
there's no lock on it...
When you import a photo there should be a lock on the layer. If you unlock it (you should do it for several reasons) you can lock it once again later and do what you need to create an external border.
I hate it when things force me to do it right. I want flexibility to do it my way!
Nothing should change in your workflow - just check the usual lock of your base layer, that's all :)
there's no lock on it...
When you import a photo there should be a lock on the layer. If you unlock it (you should do it for several reasons) you can lock it once again later and do what you need to create an external border.
I had thought there usually was, as well. But there is no lock on the layer, and I hadn't unlocked it...
I hate it when things force me to do it right. I want flexibility to do it my way!
Nothing should change in your workflow - just check the usual lock of your base layer, that's all :)
there's no lock on it...
When you import a photo there should be a lock on the layer. If you unlock it (you should do it for several reasons) you can lock it once again later and do what you need to create an external border.
I had thought there usually was, as well. But there is no lock on the layer, and I hadn't unlocked it...
You opened your photo and you had just one unlocked layer?
I've had the same problem from time to time. Various web blog postings indicate it may have something to do with ACR settings when first importing images. Color option in canvas size dialog requires a background layer. Flattening the file can get there. Maybe convert to smart object can help.
Simple is better for me. A background layer would be a low in the stack pixel layer with a lock icon. But I notice some of my layered files don't have a background layer. Solution found in web searching: select the bottom pixel layer (the one without a lock icon), the go to the Layer menu: Layer->New->Layer from background. Presto, a background layer with the lock icon appears; and canvas size dialog now has color option active again (at least if I have a pixel layer selected).
I've had the same problem from time to time. Various web blog postings indicate it may have something to do with ACR settings when first importing images. Color option in canvas size dialog requires a background layer. Flattening the file can get there. Maybe convert to smart object can help.
Simple is better for me. A background layer would be a low in the stack pixel layer with a lock icon. But I notice some of my layered files don't have a background layer. Solution found in web searching: select the bottom pixel layer (the one without a lock icon), the go to the Layer menu: Layer->New->Layer from background. Presto, a background layer with the lock icon appears; and canvas size dialog now has color option active again (at least if I have a pixel layer selected).
Funky -- that worked. Wonder why my background became a non-background. I never convert these things, I leave them as backgrounds, but it was obviously something I did. But you would think it would be obvious, since a dialog box pops up....
