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mikeg2480528
mikeg2480528
Participant
June 16, 2019
Answered

Selection Question

  • June 16, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 351 views

Is it possible to go to a layer, view and copy the selection which was used to create the layer originally, and use it to say create a new inverse selection to apply to a new layer?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Barb Binder

    Hi Mike:

    I'm not entirely clear on your workflow, so here's my best guess (screen shots eliminate the guesswork):

    1. Select the layer
    2. Hold the Control key (Cmd key on a Mac) and click on the layer thumbnail to select the pixels on that layer
    3. Select > Inverse
    4. Select the new layer and apply the desired effect.

    ~Barb

    2 replies

    pixxxelschubser
    Community Expert
    pixxxelschubserCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 16, 2019

    In case of a layer with transparency parts:

    • make the layer in Layers panel activ
    • [Ctrl]+click at the icon of that layer gives you the selection //creates new selection from visible parts with semi transparency also
    • [Shift]+[Ctrl]+  //creates new inverse selection
    • [Shift]+[Ctrl]+[Alt]+ // creates a new layer above

    Then:

    [Alt]+[Backspace]  // fill selection with foreground color

    or

    [Ctrl]+[Backspace]  // fill selection with background color

      Barb Binder
      Community Expert
      Barb BinderCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      June 16, 2019

      Hi Mike:

      I'm not entirely clear on your workflow, so here's my best guess (screen shots eliminate the guesswork):

      1. Select the layer
      2. Hold the Control key (Cmd key on a Mac) and click on the layer thumbnail to select the pixels on that layer
      3. Select > Inverse
      4. Select the new layer and apply the desired effect.

      ~Barb

      ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
      mikeg2480528
      mikeg2480528Author
      Participant
      June 16, 2019

      I will give this a try. It sounds like using this process of coping the selection can be applied to other actions like creating an adjustment layer for the same selection.

      Thanks for the suggestions

      Barb Binder
      Community Expert
      Barb BinderCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 16, 2019

      Hi Mike:

      Holding the Control key (Cmd key on a Mac) and clicking on the layer thumbnail selects the pixels on that layer.

      A better solution in the long run may be to save selections that you want to resuse. When you have a active selection (marching ants), choose Select > Save Selection and give it a logical name. Then you can reload it at any time using Select > Load Selection.

      ~Barb

      ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
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