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Forgiven1!
Participating Frequently
February 22, 2020
Answered

Brush tool paints layers that are NOT selected :(

  • February 22, 2020
  • 4 replies
  • 4669 views

Hi all,
I use Elements 2018.    I cut out an image.  Deleted the back ground and treid to paint on part of it using the brush tool but it still paints the back ground.   Tried putting it over a white BG, selecting the layer then paiting and it still pains the background too no matter what.   Does the same thing using color replacement tool etc. 
It is possible to paint only the background layer, but not only the top layer.  The yellow dot is what I pained with the brush for an example.   Does anyone know how to fix this?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Greg_S.

. . .  And just to clarify your understanding, when you are painting on the object layer, nothing is being painted on the background.  You are simply painting on the transparent pixels of that layer.  You can prove this by turning the layer off.  (Click on the eyeball.)  That is why Jeff's suggestion works.  If you lock the transparent pixels of the object layer, you can't paint on them.

 

 

4 replies

Greg_S.
Community Expert
Greg_S.Community ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
February 23, 2020

. . .  And just to clarify your understanding, when you are painting on the object layer, nothing is being painted on the background.  You are simply painting on the transparent pixels of that layer.  You can prove this by turning the layer off.  (Click on the eyeball.)  That is why Jeff's suggestion works.  If you lock the transparent pixels of the object layer, you can't paint on them.

 

 

    F
    Forgiven1!Author
    Participating Frequently
    February 24, 2020

    Thank you!

    Jeff Arola
    Community Expert
    Jeff ArolaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 23, 2020

    You can Lock transparent pixels on your object layer so only opaque pixels get painted.

     

      F
      Forgiven1!Author
      Participating Frequently
      February 24, 2020

      Thank you!

      Bojan Živković11378569
      Community Expert
      Bojan Živković11378569Community Expert
      Community Expert
      February 22, 2020

      It is a bit confusing your request or problem. From the screenshot above I can see that yellow dot appear on layer which is selected in the Layers panel what is correct and normal behaviour. What is your goal or what exactly you want to do? You will paint on layer which is selected in the Layers panel and that should be visible unless there is something on layer above what is preventing painting visibility. 

        F
        Forgiven1!Author
        Participating Frequently
        February 22, 2020

        I do want to paint the top layer, but the background (plain white) is a seperate layer which is not selected, but the brush paints it anyway.

        hatstead
        hatstead
        Inspiring
        February 22, 2020

        Suggest that you reset the brush. There should be a box, bottom right, on the brush tool's option bar. Clck to reset.

        If that does not fix it, reset preferences to default:

        Go to Edit > Preferences (Mac: Photoshop Elements > Preferences > General), click the Reset Preferences on next launch button, and then click OK. When you restart Adobe Photoshop Elements, all preferences are reset to default settings.Dec 19, 2016

         

        lambiloon
        Community Expert
        lambiloonCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        February 22, 2020

        Hi you can use Photoshop for it very easy there what final effect you want to get ?

        Ali Sajjad / Graphic Design Trainer / Freelancer / Adobe Certified Professional
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