Re: #30
Chas, it doesn't matter whether you're talking PSP7 or PSP8, the background of any PSP image file is the bottom-most layer, and only that layer. In both versions of the program this layer may be transparent, translucent or opaque. Technically, in either version of the program, you may also delete the background, or convert it to a raster layer. I say technically, because this is only a matter of state as far as the software is concerned so that you may change the z-order of the layer (a layer can be moved, a background cannot).
The only difference between the two versions of PSP in this regard is that in PSP8, one may start with a vector background. This is really only a time saving step so that you may begin drawing a vector image on the first layer without having to create a second layer.
As for the rest, not much is changed between the two versions when it comes to saving your work. Depending on the format in which you choose to save your work, layers may still need to be merged, vector layers may still need to be converted to raster, and any transparency or translucency may need to be made opaque if the image format you are saving to does not support those features. The biggest difference between the PSP7 and PSP8 from that standpoint, is that PSP8 now supports more image formats, and has more options for some of the formats in doing the conversion.
I hope this clears up some of the confusion.