Layer Palette
As you can see on this layer pallet, I have one background layer, and one raster layer. If you want to convert the background layer or a vector layer to a raster layer, you can either go to Layers/Promote to Layer, or right click on the layer itself, and choose Promote to Layer from the menu there.
I choose to right click and use the menu there a lot. You can merge your layers, and do anything that you need to do, just by right clicking on the layer palette.
You also will see a little set of eye glasses on each layer. If you want to hide a layer, you can just click on the eyeglasses, and that layer will be hidden. When you want to bring it back into view, just click on the eye glasses again, and that layer will show up on your image.
On the right hand side of the Layer Palette, you will see a slider with a number. This is to turn down the transparency of a layer. Try turning down the transparency on your layer to 50%, and see the effect that you get.
On the far right hand side, you will see the Layer Blend Mode, which you can use for a variety of different effects on your image.
Merging Layers
To merge a layer with another one, or if a number of layers need to be merged as a group, then you can turn off the layers that you do not want merged by clicking on the eyeglasses. When you have only the layers that you want merged visible, then, making sure that one of your active layers is highlighted, go to Layers/Merge/Merge Visible. I would then rename that merged layer so that you will know what it is. You can do this by right clicking on the layer, and choose Rename from the menu. Then, type in the layer's name.
If you do choose Layer/Merge/Merge All, if you have a portion of your graphic that is transparent, then the transparency will be changed to white. I never Merge All unless there is no transparency, or I want a white background.
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