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Ken Nielsen
Legend
August 23, 2020
Answered

Behavior has changed when trying to move a PNG image with transparent background MUST select pixels

  • August 23, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 1760 views

Before I have now reinstalled Photoshop CC on a newer Mac I was able to move my logo signature by simply choosing with the move tool anywhere on the logo which has a transparent background. NOW, I MUST select pixels and is laborious to do as the logo has thin lines that are difficult to select at a smaller size. Nothing has changed but I'll guess there is a setting that is different now with the re-install as I've spent days now changing settings and preferences to make Photoshop like it was only a few days ago before I re-installed.  Any ideas what would cause this behavior? I've posted my logo screen shot to give an idea of what I am doing. If I select 'transform' for the logo, which I do to re-size, I can then move by putting the cursor arrow anywhere over the logo, but if I hit return to get rid of the transform box, I then have to select pixels only to grab the logo with the move tool. 

I use this a lot so would appreciate anyone helping to put this behavior back to being able to move this logo without having to select pixels only.

TIA,

 

Ken

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer davescm

With the move tool selected uncheck "AutoSelect" in the options bar. Normal service will resume 🙂

Dave

2 replies

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
August 23, 2020

With the move tool selected uncheck "AutoSelect" in the options bar. Normal service will resume 🙂

Dave

Ken Nielsen
Legend
August 23, 2020

Davescm - That's it! Old behavior restored! Thank you sir. This helps greatly and I appreciate your help very much.

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 23, 2020

Could you please post a screenshot with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Channels, Options Bar, …) visible? 

Have you tried placing the signature as a Smart Object? 

Ken Nielsen
Legend
August 23, 2020

If I convert that layer with the signature logo to a smart object it freezes the layer and cannot be moved at all. I have the .png graphic file open and drag the layer onto the photo document, have done this for years with no problem on the older Mac computer. Screen shots posting here... 

Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 23, 2020

The original PSD file is on two layers, one is the graphic signature on a transparent background, then, the layer above is a type layer which I use to put the date of the shoot. I sandwiched these two into a png file as it then give me a single layer to work with an not two separate elements which could easily become separated. Maybe instead of saving as a png I could just 'merge down' the type layer, thus rasterizing it and then just drag that layer over to the new open document. What do yo think Nancy?


You can flatten or merge layers if you wish.  But I prefer to keep my layers editable in PSD files.  At some point in the future, you may wish to change your signature or remove it entirely.  You can't do that easily in flattened images. 

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert