opacity issue

[jimbir]

I'm trying to construct a panoramic photo from 2 others. I've followed all the instructions on how to do this. I have the background plus 2 raster layers. I set the opacity level of raster 1 to 50%. I select it using the selection tool. When I attempt to move it, it's opacity returns to 100% and it slides under raster 2 so that I can't position it correctly. What am I missing/doing wrong here?
Thanks. Jim B.

[hartpaul]

More information please.
I will assume you have a landscape format background layer with Raster 1 on top of that and Raster 2 at the top.
You have these on a canvas which allows the three images to be moved and placed side by side.
You have turned off the visibility of Layer 2 (the top layer).
You have selected Raster 1 in the Layer palette (you have NOT slected it using the Selection tool - which includes the magic wand etc, nor have you selected it by using Select All).
You have changed the opacity of Raster 1 to 50 % and are then using the Move Tool to move that image across to align it with some features on the background layer.
Your layer opacity is changing back to 100% - are you sure it is Raster 1 Opacity that is changing and not that the layer selected is changing and you are reverting to the Background layer slected and so the opacity goes back to 100%.
By the way instead of changing the opacity of Raster 1 to 50% change the Blende Mode to Difference. Then as you move Raster 1 you will find it is in allignment when the overlapping part turns black (ie no difference = black).
When you have it alligned don't forget to change the blend mode back to normal before you start to work on Raster 2.