I am using photo shop and can't figure out why when I use the eraser tool it

Question: I am using photo shop and can't figure out why when I use the eraser tool it just puts in black!? instead of er!?

I was trying to erase part of a picture and tried to use the eraser tool like the tutorial said and all I got was black why!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

this usually happens with background layers (which are locked - indicated by the little padlock logo in the layer toolbox)!. You can either:

1) Switch you background colour to white (you do this by pressing the "Set background Colour" Icon in the main toolbox (near the bottom, and by default set to White Forground and black background)!.

or

2) Copy the layer you wish to erase and pasting it (effectively removing the lock and creating a new duplicate later) / Duplicate the layer by right clicking on it and going to Duplicate Layer, then edit the layer you have just duplicated!. (Remembering to discard the other layer if it is not needed and hide it to see the effects)!.

Hope this helps!?

Let me know if you need clarification
Www@QuestionHome@Com

It could be that you have a black coloured layer underneath the one you're erasing, so it's showing through when you erase the top one!.

also, you might have a mask selected in your layer palette, in which case the eraser doesn't work the same way!. Make sure you click on the layer itself before you erase!. Hope this helps!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Because the background color is set to black!. The eraser tool removes color down to the background color!. If the background color selected was red, then, as you erased, it would leave trail of red!.Www@QuestionHome@Com