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J
Javes
Participant
July 22, 2019
Question

Selecting multiple layers using the marquee/lasso tool? Photoshop

  • July 22, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 24123 views

Hello,

So, let's say I have a Photoshop file with over 50 layers.

In the current Layer Comp, only 20 layers are visible - but they are scattered in different areas (10 in the center, 4 to the right; 6 to the left)

My question is: using the above scenario, I would like a quick method to select the 10 layers in the center, without having to select them in the layers panel.

I thought, if I could just use a lasso/ marquee tool to quickly select those layers in the center, it would be a lot quicker.

Does anyone know of a way to do what I'm asking, without having to use the layers panel, or individually clicking each one.

Thanks in advance.

(Also, I'm aware the marquee/lasso tool may not be the correct tool to use for this purpose, so if you know which tool to use, please say so)

{Thread modified by moderator}

    3 replies

    PECourtejoie
    Community Expert
    PECourtejoieCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 19, 2020

    Hello, did you try to use the Move tool, and click drag around the layers you want (if auto select is on, or CTRL+drag is it is not)?

      Marja de Klerk
      Marja de Klerk
      Inspiring
      February 19, 2020

      This works fine!

        Conrad_C
        Community Expert
        Conrad_CCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        July 22, 2019

        Javes  wrote

        My question is: using the above scenario, I would like a quick method to select the 10 layers in the center, without having to select them in the layers panel.

        Since a lasso/marquee select isn't possible, try this:

        1. Select the Selection tool.
        2. In the options bar, enable Auto Select, and set it to Layer.
        3. With the Selection tool, in the document click the first layer you want to select.
        4. Hold down Shift as you click in the document to add other layers to the selection.

        When doing it this way, it's best to keep an eye on the Layers panel to make sure the right layers are getting selected, in case a stray click adds an unwanted layer to the selection.

          Nancy OShea
          Community Expert
          Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          July 22, 2019

          Conrad's appraoch works well when elements are on separate layers and none of them overlap.

          Overlapping layers are a bit trickier to select but it's doable. 

          Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
          Conrad_C
          Community Expert
          Conrad_CCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          July 22, 2019

          Right, I didn't mention what to do there. It is tricky.

          When you want to use Auto Select to grab a layer that's behind another, you can right-click the top one and a context menu pops up with the names of all the layers under the pointer. You can then select the name of the layer you want to select in the document.

          I just tested this and it does work with the Shift key, so if you have several layers already selected and you need to add one more that's hard to select because it's overlapped by another, hold down Shift, right-click the layer stack in the document, and select the layer name you want. Because Shift was held down, that layer will be added to the selection.

          If you don't hold down Shift, only the layer name you chose gets selected.

          Naturally, this works best when layers are named so that they're easy to recognize by name.

          Sahil.Chawla
          Adobe Employee
          Sahil.Chawla
          Adobe Employee
          July 22, 2019

          Hi Javes,

          Selecting multiple layers on the Canvas is not possible in Photoshop as of now, however, if you want to select everything, simply select the top layer, hold shift and select the bottom layer in Layers panel.

          There is also an option in Select menu called "Select all layers" for this.

          If you want to select layers directly on the canvas, turn on Auto-select (visible on the top right part of Photoshop when Move tool is used).

          You may suggest feature requests for Photoshop here: Photoshop Family Customer Community This forum is monitored by our developers and engineers and they might look into it for future releases.

          Regards,
          Sahil

          PECourtejoie
          Community Expert
          PECourtejoieCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          February 19, 2020

          Hello, did you try to use the Move tool, and drag around the layers you want?

            D
            default2erlby8dlhbd
            Participant
            November 27, 2023

            This is the solution for me, thank you!  I did it by accident and couldn't figure out how to do it again 🙂

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