Photoshop CS3 - Where'd "Select Layer Transparency" go???

For years I've made do with Photoshop 7, and I know how to do textures for SL with transparency just fine with that aging workhorse. But I just completely replaced my old Mac Mini computer with a new Mac pro tower, running OS X 10.5 (Leopard), and the old PS7 wouldn't run on it any more. So, I had to pony up for the upgrade to Photoshop CS3.

First time I went to make a new texture, I did some work, then wanted to make my alpha channel. I right clicked on the layer icon, and... HEY! Where'd they move the option to select layer transparency?

I've been looking through the manual on the CD, but so far I haven't found a decent way to replicate this vital step.

I know that for some simple alpha channels I can select the transparent area around the part and invert. But that won't cut it when you have altered the transparency of some of your layers to get translucent effects, and it's nowhere near as accurate as the "Select Layer Transparency" method.

So, any PS CS3 users out there found this yet?

*sigh* Never mind...

OK, this is brilliant... Finally found it, buried in the manual.

Command-clicking the layer icon (the apple key plus a left click) will select the layer transparency. No right-click pop-up any more. Sheesh...

I recommend you add that to the "Transparency and Alpha Channels: The Definitive Guide" sticky post if it is not already in there.

Thanks, Arch. Actually, that command is in all the tutorials in the guide. I could add it to the FAQ section, I guess, but since this is the first time I've ever seen the question come up here, I don't think it would be fair to define it as "frequently asked".

Ceera, so you know, Select Layer Transparency from CS2 and earlier was replaced with Select Pixels in CS3. If you right click on the layer thumbnail, and hit Select Pixels, you'll see it has the effect you're after. That said, I've never actively used that right-click sequence. I always just ctrl-clicked the thumbnail (ctrl on the PC is equivalent to cmd on the Mac, if anyone's unaware). Neither method is all that obvious, I guess, if you don't already know about it.

Thank you Chosen. It appears you are right. Also, on a three-button mouse, I can right click and choose that "Select Pixels" option. No need to fumble with the keyboard.