How to marching ants select the outline of the layer?

[AntDX316]

How to marching ants select the outline of the layer? 

If I want to just marching ants select the entire outline of every piece on this layer, how do I do it at an instant?

[Leslie Moak Murray]

Here's one easy way:

-Duplicate the layer

-Color Overlay (any color. I use black usually)

-Layer>Rasterize>Layer Style

-On the dupe layer, select with Magic Wand tool

-Ta-Da! Marching ants

Now you can go to the original layer and use the selection on it.

-edit formatting

[AntDX316]

wouldn't ctrl+left-click on the layer do the same?

[Zesty_wanderlust15A7 · Accepted solution]

You mean, all the pixels there?  Ctrl-click on the layer icon.

[Nancy OShea]

If I want to just marching ants select the entire outline of every piece on this layer, how do I do it at an instant?

By @AntDX316

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Use Ctrl + A to select ALL.

[AntDX316]

Ctrl+A does nothing

[Nancy OShea]

It works on Windows.

What OS do you have?

[AntDX316]

Windows 11 x64 Pro

[Nancy OShea]

Does Ctrl + A work in your other apps?

https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/c/ctrl-a.htm

If not, something is wrong with your Windows installation.

[AntDX316]

Ctrl+A obviously works, I meant it doesn't do anything in PSD to create marching ants

[Nancy OShea]

Which Tool & Settings are selected?  See screenshot.

[AntDX316]

that's a cool feature, what are good examples using that?