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Participant
December 24, 2024
Question

Why am I unable to copy/paste shapes since update to Photoshop 2025 on Mac 14.6.1?

  • December 24, 2024
  • 4 replies
  • 1478 views

I frequently copy shapes (e.g., rectangles and circles) from one group of layers to another group. Previously, I've have always used the Comd-C and Comd-V shortcuts, but since updating to Photoshop 2025, I've had nothing but problems. (Note: I do not have problems if I am copying shapes within the same layer.)

 

My process has always been:

  • Select the shape I want to copy and hit Comd-C
  • Scroll to the layer group I want to copy to and click on the lowest layer in that group
  • Hit Comd-V to paste a copy of the shape in that group

In the past, the new shape would appear in the center of the screen and be listed above the layer I had clicked on within the layer list. This is what I want to happen.

 

If I do this today, no change appears on the screen and the layer list indicates some type of secondary group has been made with the layer I had clicked on. It took me a while to realize that a copy of the shape had been made above the one I had copied, and it is now tied to the layer in the second group. I cannot figure out how to seperate the two.

 

The only way I can seem to work around this is:

  • Create a smart object out of the shape I want to copy
  • Hit Comd-C
  • Scroll to the layer group I want to copy to and click on the lowest layer in that group
  • Hit Comd-V to paste a copy of the smart object in that group
  • Convert the smart object back to a layer

 

These extra steps seem like they should be unnecessary.

 

Do I have something set wrong?

 

Thanks!!!

 

This topic has been closed for replies.

4 replies

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 29, 2024

Could you please post a screenrecording or at least screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, Paths, …) visible to illustrate? 

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 26, 2024

Copy-/Pasting Layers is a newish thing in Photoshop so I would recommend the old cmd-J and dragging the layer. 

 

Aside from that it seems I cannot reproduce the behaviour you describe (on Adobe Photoshop 26.2.0 and Mac OS 14.6.1). 

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 26, 2024

Could you please post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, Paths, …) visible to illustrate? 

Sameer K
Community Manager
Community Manager
December 24, 2024

Hey, @DrKessel. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. I'll need more info to help you figure this out. Please share the system info from Photoshop Help > System info > Copy and paste into a text document > Upload and attach here. 

 

You can install any early versions of Photoshop for the time being to help you get to your projects: https://adobe.ly/3P9fZL8;

 

It'll help if you could include a video of how it behaves now. Also, try using Photoshop (beta) from the Creative Cloud desktop app from > Apps Section > Beta Apps. 

 

Let me know how it goes. 

Thanks! 
Sameer K

(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

DrKesselAuthor
Participant
December 27, 2024

Thanks @Sameer K.

Is this what you needed?

Rich

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 27, 2024

Are you sure you have the Move Tool selected when copying?