In every version since 3.0 (the first time that the layers feature was introduced), the Layers palette has become increasingly important to how people use Adobe Photoshop. With such a crucial palette, there have to be at least a few good tips around here. No?
Displaying Multiple Layers. Every click takes another moment or two, and many people click in the display column of the Layers palette (the one with the little eyeballs in it) once for each layer they want to see. Cut out the clicker-chatter, and just click and drag through the column for all the layers you want to see.
Click to Turn Off Layers. Another way to make multiple layers appear or disappear is by Option-clicking in the display column of the Layers palette. When you Option-click on an eyeball, Photoshop hides all the layers except the one you clicked on. Then, if you Option-click again, it redisplays them all again. Even though this trick doesn’t save you a lot of time, it sure feels like it does (which is often just as cool).
Creating a New Layer. Layers are the best thing since sliced bread, and we’re creating new ones all the time. But if you’re still making a new layer by clicking on the New Layer button in the Layers palette, you’ve got some learning to do: Just click Command-Shift-N (or Command-Option-Shift-N, if you don’t want to see the New Layer dialog box). If you’re trying to duplicate the current layer, just press Command-J (if you have pixels selected when you press this, only those pixels will copy to a new layer).
Rename your Layers. It’s a very good idea to rename your layers from Layer 1 or Layer 2 to something a bit more descriptive. However, don’t waste time looking for a “rename layer” feature. Instead, just double-click on the layer tile to rename it. Note that this works in the Channels, Paths, and File Browser palettes, too.