Trouble Selecting Pixels on a layer in Photoshop

Question

I have created an image using many multiple shapes created with the Curve Pen tool.  I would like to fill the image with a gradient so I did the Shift-Option-Cmd-E to combine the layers.  But when I Cmd-Click (Mac) on the new layer thumbnail to try to select the image, it selects the entire canvas.  I've also tried to right click on the layer and use "Select Pixels" with the same results.  Converting it to a smart object has no effect either.  I want to keep this image as a vector image so I don't want to merge the layersan dI have about 100 different shape layers.  Any ideas?

Jeff Arola · Answer

When you do a Shift-Option-Cmd-E that merges all visible layers into a new layer and also rasterizes the Shape Layers, so if you have a Background layer that would have merged as well.

Better to select the Shape Layers in the layers panel and then do Cmd+Option+E which merges the shapes layers into a new layer and retains the vector shapes.

Cmd+click on shape layer thumbnails in the layers panels works to select the shapes, but right clicking and clicking Select Pixels does not.

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded