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WieSagtMan
Inspiring
June 13, 2017
Answered

Selection Resurrection

  • June 13, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 709 views
Setting the scene: Imagine that I have selected part of an image and that I have used it to create, say, a curves layer. I then proceed to do more work on the image in another selection or two. At some later point, I decide to use the first selection for a hue/saturation layer.But I can't get back to it.
Is there any way to get the selection back? So far, all I've been able to do is to anticipate all the ways in which I might possibly want to adjust the selection  later, saving each adjustment to its own layer.
This seems silly. First, the process makes me predict what I'll want to do somewhere down the line. Second, it creates a huge stack of layers, especially if several selections are involved.
I want to be able to revive a selection so that I can do additional work on it, that is, create additional adjustment layers. Is that too much to ask? 😞
This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Semaphoric

I have selected part of an image and that I have used it to create, say, a curves layer. I then proceed to do more work on the image in another selection or two. At some later point, I decide to use the first selection for a hue/saturation layer

Control+Click on the Layer Mask thumbnail in your first [Curves] layer to load it as a selection. Now when you make a new Adjustment Layer [Hue/Saturation] it will use that selection.

4 replies

Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Trevor.DennisCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 14, 2017

I rarely save selections.  If you have a selection in a layer mask, you can Ctrl click the mask to load it again.  With the selection in place, open a new Adjustment layer, and it will have the same layer mask.

Whenever I make all but the most simple of selections, I pretty much always copy the selected pixels to a new layer.  You can then Ctrl click that layer later to reload the selection.  This also makes it easy to add layer styles like drop shadows.  Especially if you need to make a complex shadow rather than the simple offset that Layer Styles provide.   If you want to place something outside a selection, then it is usually better to do so in a layer lower down the stack.  You can then, move or transform the selected object relative to the background. 

This is a fast and flexible way to use selections.  It is also a no brainer if you have multiple screens to spread your workspace around. You can Ctrl click channels for instance.

    Semaphoric
    Community Expert
    SemaphoricCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    June 13, 2017

    I have selected part of an image and that I have used it to create, say, a curves layer. I then proceed to do more work on the image in another selection or two. At some later point, I decide to use the first selection for a hue/saturation layer

    Control+Click on the Layer Mask thumbnail in your first [Curves] layer to load it as a selection. Now when you make a new Adjustment Layer [Hue/Saturation] it will use that selection.

      W
      WieSagtManAuthor
      Inspiring
      June 13, 2017

      Hmmm. I've succeeded in doing as you suggest. However, the new Alpha channel, a rectangle, is painted white, i.e. no image data. When I load it, all I get is a black ground with a white rectangle outlined with the marching ants. Granted, the rectangle is positioned correctly vis-a-vis the image, but I'm still stuck. If I delete the channel, the entire image reappears, but without the selection

      What I'm really looking for is a way to do a later reselect from an adjustment layer created earlier using the selection in question. Ideally, the animated outline of the selection would reappear just as if I had chosen RESELECT from the SELECT menu immediately after having deselected it.

      I have now discovered that if I deselect and close the image after having saved the selection as an Alpha channel, I can reload the image. At this point, the Alpha channel is present but not highlighted. When I click on it, it appears on the monitor as before. If I then select the Alpha channel's white area with the magic wand AND delete the Alpha channel, the marching ants are restored to the image. However, that's not much help, since I'm still  in the same boat--able to use the selection outline only once.

      Ideally, Photoshop would create a pull-down list of all selection outlines associated with an image, much as it does with layers. Then I could choose the one I want, and the marching ants would then (magically) reappear.

      Sigh.

      davescm
      Community Expert
      davescmCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 13, 2017

      Hi

      At present there is no "history" of selections.

      You can save several selections as you make them into Alpha Channels.

      To use them - load the Alpha as a selection then click in your layers panel to see your image (the selection will remain). Either go to an existing mask and fill it using the selection or add a new layer mask using real/hide selection. You can also add a new adjustment layer which will have your selection as a mask

      Dave

      W
      WieSagtManAuthor
      Inspiring
      June 15, 2017

      Actually, I would change my assessment and award you with the correct answer. I tried CTRL+click, but I found it unreliable. Only in one instancedid it correctly restore the marching ants to the image. Now that I understand that I have to load an alpha channel to use it, I see that this technique works every time. Thanks.

        davescm
        Community Expert
        davescmCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        June 13, 2017

        You can save your selection as an Alpha Channel.

        With your selection made go to the channels panel and click here:

        You can later reload the Alpha Channel as a selection

        Dave

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