Layer Selection Tool

[M99]

Hi all,

When I select part of an image to get to the layer in the Layers Panel, it does not go to that layer, it goes to a 'random' adjustments layer someplace else.  The adjustment layer boundaries do not overlap the selected object. 

I've had this happen on a couple documents.  Does anyone know why this would happen?  

[c.pfaffenbichler]

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

[M99]

I'll see what kind of screenshots I can get of something like this.  

[Chuck Uebele]

I find the layer selection tool awkward to use. I much prefer to have that feature off, then right click with the move tool, and a list of layers will appear that are under the cursor, which you can then select.

[M99]

Yes!  I just found that R-Click list.  That makes this time-consuming search better.  

But I end up with a lot of pieces that I need to locate, so being able to click on the area I'm looking at and bounce over to the layer with a click to make changes is very useful - rather than hunt & pecking some little fragment.  

It has only happened on a few documents for some reason.  

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Are you sure the Adjustment Layers Layer Mask is truly black at that position? 

What are the Move Tool’s settings? 

[Chuck Uebele]

Once you add some other density to an adjustment layer's mask, PS will auto select that layer, if it's the topmost layer in the stack. 

[melissapiccone]

Yes, and if you lock the adjustment layer, then the move tool will skip over it and select the layer below. 

[M99]

While trying to access a part of a layer for a Tree by clicking on the area:  

It selects an Adjustment layer of another group called Flowers:  

The adjustment layer boundaries for that object (which is on the other side of the document)

does not expand across the page and overlap the tree.  

Clicking on a few sections in the top part of the document does the same thing, going to the same Flowers object's Adjustment layer.  However, if I click on a couple things in the lower part of the document, it does go to the right object. 

I had another document where it seemed whatever I would click on, I would get put on an Adjustment layer of one particular object.  Could not select objects on the page.  

Toolbars:  

[M99]

So, thinking I was on the right track with there being an overlap - I looked at the top image boundaries instead.    

They are very close.  I find that the top image, where the Tree is, hits a bit above the group Flowers.  The boundaries for that are shown above the ruler line (placed at the top of the Flowers object's Transform line). 

However!  When I hit Transform for the Flower image alone (not the group that contains the image & all Adjustments),

strangely, it falls above the bottom of the top image where the Tree is.  

This doesn't make sense to me - why the Group of all falls below but the base image in the group falls above.  

But even when I slide the Flowers object down out of the way, or low off the page - it still does not go to the top image,

it still goes to the Flowers object. 

I have to turn that object off for it to go to the image with the tree in it. 

Doesn't make sense to me.