just walking through some of the basic tutorials, and a little confused

first: how do i get a render i downloaded onto the background i created?
2nd: how do i get 'outer glow' effect onto render layer. I go to layer > layer style > there's no options here!

1:
• Go to File -> Open and find the Render
• Have your other Document open as well and use the Move tool to move the render onto the second document.
- Or you can do CTRL+C and open the background document and do CTRL+V - Whichever you feel like

2:
• You will find Outer Glow (among many others) in the Blending options.
• Double click on the layer in the layers box and it will bring up the Blending Options menu. ~ Don't click on the text, that will do a rename not open BO.

hmmm... the render i downloaded doesn't have transparent background, its a black square behind the sprite

i get the crossed-out-circle symbol when i try to move it, and copy/paste doesn't seem to be working in this program...

What program are you using?

oh, i figured out how to get them together, but i can't find outer glow still.

i have photoshop: essentials 6

If you have a "Sprite Sheet" , then use the magic eraser to remove the bg's, it should'nt affect image.
By "Sprite Sheet", I mean frame by frame of a video game animation.