Transform controls grayed out in Photoshop CS 6

[Ellis Vener]

I am working with single layer 8 bit per channel TIFFs in PsCS56 but all of the transform controls are grayed out. This doesn't seem right. If I make a duplicate layer then they are activated. Clearly I am not understanding something

[hugowolf]

You need something selected to transform. If you want to transform the whole thing, the Ctrl+A (command A on Mac), or use one of the selection tools to select and area.

Brian A

[sniper]

You can also unlock the background layer by double clicking on it on the layers palette, transform should then work.

[Ellis Vener]

Thank you both.

[stamper]

Would it not be better to make the layer a smart object and then do your transforms? It is then non destructive.