It's a very good idea to rename your layers from Layer 1 or Layer 2 to something a bit more descriptive. However, Adobe changed the way to rename layers in Photoshop 6. In earlier versions, you could simply double-click on a layer to open the Layer Properties dialog box (where you could name and color-code layers); now you have to hold down the Option or Alt key while double-clicking. A subtle, but important difference

Creating Layer Sets.

The more layers you have in your document, the more difficult it is to manage them. Fortunately, Photoshop now offers layer "sets," in which you can group contiguous layers (layers that are next to each other).

To create a layer set, click on the New Layer Set button in the Layers palette


To add a layer to a set, just drag it on top of the set. Or, to create a new layer inside the set automatically, select the set or any layer within the set (in the Layers palette) and press the New Layer button. You can remove a layer from a set simply by dragging it out.

You can move layer sets in the same way you move layers: just drag them around in the palette. You can also copy a whole set of layers to a different document by dragging the layer set over.

If you have more than one layer set, it's helpful to color code them: Just double-click on the layer set's name and pick a color in the Layer Set Properties dialog box. You should probably name the set, too, while you're here (the default "Set 1" doesn't help identify what's in it). Watch out, though: If you drag a color-coded layer out of the set, it still retains its color-coding!

If you want to move all the layers within a layer set at the same time, select the layer set in the Layers palette. This is easier and faster than linking the layers together.

You can add a layer mask to the layer set and it'll apply to every layer in the set. Similarly, locking a set locks every layer within the set.

Layer sets act almost like a single layer, so when you show or hide the set, all the layers in that set appear or disappear.

When you delete a layer set, Photoshop lets you choose to delete the set and the layers inside it or just the set itself (leaving the layers intact).

Unfortunately, you can't apply a layer effect to a set or use a set as a clipping group.

Cropping Images to size

With the Crop Tool selected, Click and Drag over the image.
Release when you've selected the part of the image you want to keep. Don't worry about getting it just right, you can always go back and edit it.

You will have a dashed line with little squares (selection handles) around the dashed line. This enables you to edit the selection by mousing over them and dragging in either direction to enlarge or decrease your selection.

By default, Photoshop will mask out the area that is not part of the selection. You can turn this on or off by going up top to the Options Bar and selecting/deselecting Shield Cropped Area.

To rotate move your cursor over one of the 4 corners until you see it change into a double sided arrow.

Cropping Images to specific size

Better to use the guidelines or use 'fixed size' options in your Marquee selections tools.

TIP: When using the fixed size option selection tool, type the value including the following code:

EG: '120px'  or 120cm or 120in in the width and height fields. The result will actually look like 120 px   or  120 cm.  Do not add a space when entering the amount, Photoshop will complete this automatically. Also works when manipulating HTML.

Then when the section of your image is selected, cut and paste into a new file. Your image will be specific in size and output.