locked layer

[Scott_imagic]

It makes no sense that ctrl-J (on the whole or on a selection) will not work on a locked layer. In no way does ctrl-J alter the contents of the locked layer, so why can't you make a new layer from the selection? To do so, you first have to go unlock the layer and relock it (if you so choose) after you Ctrl-J. Tedious and not intuitive. 

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Hi @Scott_imagic this works as expected on Mac Photoshop v 24.6. Can you share a screenshot of your workspace with the layers panel open and the selection made giving the error?

[Scott_imagic]

Hmm, I have to be honest, I am using an older version of Photoshop v22 in Windows, so this may in fact work in Windows. I am not sure. 

[Scott_imagic]

The same happens in Version 23 on windows. 

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Ah! @Scott_imagic its the type of lock used - the paintbrush/pixel protection lock prevents duplicating.

I wasn't sure what you had active until you sent the screenshot. Background layer and all the other types of locks allow duplication.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Use the backslash key to remove the locks. /

[davescm]

It works fine here in Windows 11 with v24.6

Ctrl+J on a locked layer (no matter what type of lock) makes a new layer as a copy (works the same on a background layer)

Dave

[Scott_imagic]

Time for me to upgrade. Thank you.

[davescm]

Not sure it is upgrade related - I just went back to v22.5.9 and it worked the same there

Dave

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@davescm can you confirm with the pixel edit/paintbrush lock on that you can select then use Ctrl+J?

I have the same error as @Scott_imagic with Win11 24.6.  It was only with that specific lock option on.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

@davescm same behavior on the Mac version as well. With that specific lock on - it wont let you Cmd/Ctrl+J.

[davescm]

@Kevin Stohlmeyer See below:

Dave

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Not the same. Make a selection first.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Without a selection it works - with a selection it prevents.

  No selection OK

With selection -prevented.

It has nothing to do with versions, Mac or Windows, etc. This has always been a prevented measure when using the Lock Image Pixels lock. It was meant to prevent Shift+Ctrl+J which cuts the layer to a new one, but also prevents the copy at the same time.

If you need to copy a selected part of the layer use / to toggle all your locks on and off - it remembers which locks you had to restore them after the Cmd+J.

[davescm]

'Not the same. Make a selection first.'

That's what I was missing! Now I see the same here (regardless of version).

Dave

[Scott_imagic]

The ctrl-/ makes it much more workable and less annoying. On a deisgn principles note, I am not sure I under stand the logic of not allowing it, the cut and make new layer for sure, but not a simple copy. I can overlook it, or maybe just I am not fully understanding the logic behind it, but either way with the hotkey it is something I'll live with. Thanks for walking me through this.