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kevingaor
Participant
July 13, 2011
Question

Could not use the move tool because no layers are selected.

  • July 13, 2011
  • 2 replies
  • 26577 views

This problem started a few days ago. I like to hold down the "Shift" key when moving a layer (either text or image) to keep the horizontal spacing locked. It was never a problem but a dialog box is now popping up with the following note: Could not use the move tool because no layers are selected.

There's no problem if I'm not holding the "Shift" key but I can't keep the layer from moving up or down. I could just use the arrow key but sometimes I need to move the layer quite a distance.

Also, I'm noticing that if I don't have the cursor directly on the type/image layer, regardless of whether the "Shift" key is selected, a rectangle similar to when the "Rectangular Marquee Tool" is used appears and the layer I had selected is no longer selected.

Any ideas as to why this might be happening? Thanks for the help.

    2 replies

    A
    Anonymous
    July 14, 2011

    Just start moving the object then hold the shift key down after it starts moving it will snap back when you press the shift key

      Monmart
      Monmart
      Participant
      July 13, 2011

      Can you give us more info as in which version of PS are you using. Is this happening on a layer with a layer mask? Are you working over Transparancy? What type of artwork.

      Thanks.

      K
      kevingaorAuthor
      Participant
      July 13, 2011

      Sorry about that. I'm using Photoshop CS4. There are no layer masks and I'm working over a solid white background (although it's happening in all my files, some of which have multiple layers).

      I'm mainly designing DVD sleeves, posters, invites, etc. The layers contain images, live text, vector smart objects, etc. and the problem is happening with all layers, regardless of what it is (text or image).

      When I have the mouse directly over whatever it is I want to move and hold the shift key I get the "Could not use..." dialog box. When the mouse is NOT over the image/text, but I have the correct layer selected, I get the "Rectangular Marquee Tool" look, a "dashed" rectangular box wherever I've moved the mouse.

      Hope the info is helpful and thanks for responding...

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