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Posted on 04/02/08 2:52:57 PM |
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ray laws
* Posts: 16 Reply |
Paths to Selections
Hi, drew a path using the pen tool, changed it to a selection using Ctrl/Enter, carried on with project. New project went to make a slelection using Magnetic Edge and went to edit selection. Error message told me this was a path and no pixels were selected. Tried to convert from a path using Ctrl/Entr no joy. Still left with a path which I cannot edit/ free transform. How to reset my selection tools so they come out as selections and not paths. Any ideas or help much appreciated. Regards ray |
Posted on 04/02/08 3:13:58 PM |
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cy98
** Posts: 115 Reply  |
Re: Paths to Selections
I am definitely not an expert on photoshop, but I have always found it necessary to flatten image when done modifying the selection, which locks in your changes. Otherwise I can not work on the image outside the selection. Perhaps there is another way others use and can enlighten both of us. |
Posted on 04/02/08 6:36:09 PM |
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dave.cox
Marquee Master Posts: 518 Reply  |
Re: Paths to Selections
I'm a little confused as to your problem. When you draw with the pen tool, you are going to create a path. You can use Ctrl Enter to convert to a selection. I assume you are using the mangetic lasso tool next? The magnectic lasso tool creates a selection, not a path, although you can convert it to a path by rigth clicking and selecting "Make Work Path". If you have a path, and want a selection, and Photoshop will not convert it, try selecting a layer with something on it, and convert it again. Sometimes Photoshop can be a little persnickity about that. You can also select the paths tab, and control click on the eye to get a selection. Cy, there is no reason to flatten your image when you finish modifying an area that you have selected. To remove your selection, try pressing Control D. This will deselect, which will allow you to work any where in the image again. You can also start a new selection, which will change where your selection is. I only rarely flatten an image. I prefer to keep the layers intact, in case I need to make an adjustement later. |
Posted on 04/02/08 9:29:10 PM |
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ray laws
* Posts: 16 Reply |
Re: Paths to Selections
Hi Dave, Can create path with pen tool and convert to selection using Ctrl/Ent as you say. For some reason I have started a new project,gone to make a selection using the magnetic lasso tool but photoshop is telling me that I have made a path, don't understand how and don't understand how to convert to a selection or reset all my selection tools to default. Will also try selecting the paths tab, and control click on the eye as you suggets. I agree with your final point about keeping layers intact for furher adjustments. I only ever flatten the image when I am satisfied that I can do nothing else to it. |
Posted on 04/02/08 9:54:59 PM |
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dave.cox
Marquee Master Posts: 518 Reply |
Re: Paths to Selections
Hi Ray, So far, I have been unable to duplicate your problem. When using the magnetic lasso, if you close your path, you should see a selection, as indicated by the "Marching Ants". If you don't close your path, but press Control Enter, Photoshop will change from the path mode to the selection, and again you will see the marching ants. Are you working on an active layer? Does your layer have something on it, that you are selecting? If the layer is empty, or photoshop can not find anything to select, it may give you a problem. |
Posted on 05/02/08 00:26:05 AM |
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ray laws
* Posts: 16 Reply |
Re: Paths to Selections
Hi Dave, Must admit I did not check for the marching ants after I had closed the magnetic lasso selection. No worries as I am working on a boat in the gulf of Mexico its 6.30 in the evening here and I am due off shift real soon. I shall try the same pictures and projects tonight. Problem may have been caused by me being half asleep at five this morning when I was working on it. As far as I remember I was working on the active layer when I made my selection. Been using photoshop now for a couple of years so I know bits and pieces, but it is a beast to get the better of. Also have Martin Evening's excellent book to hand if all else fails. Will let you knowhow I get on. Cheers |
Posted on 05/02/08 01:29:40 AM |
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cy98
** Posts: 115 Reply |
Re: Paths to Selections
Dave - I would prefer not to flatten, as like you say you can go back and make changes. But ctrl D does nothing for pasted object. An example - I make selection with marquee tool and then paste this selection. I can use a clone tool to clone within the selection, and clone from the selection to the background, but can not clone from the background to the selection. The only way I can see to do that is to flatten image. What am I missing? |
Posted on 05/02/08 04:18:58 AM |
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dave.cox
Marquee Master Posts: 518 Reply |
Re: Paths to Selections
Good question Cy, What you are trying to do, is clone from one layer to another. What version of Photoshop are you using? In CS3, when you have the clone tool selected, look for the tool option bar located under the menu selection bar. If you do not see it, go to Window, and select options. On the Clone tool options bar, you should see a pull down option labeled "Sample" It is probably set to "Current Layer" This tells photoshop to only sample from the current layer when cloning. Change this to "Current and Below", or "All Layers" to let Photoshop now that it should look at the other layers when sourcing for the clone tool. The Ctrl D short cut does nothing but remove a selection. When there is a selection, Photoshop will restrict most of its actions to the selection. The short cut Ctrl Shift I, will invert the selection, making what was the selection unselected, and everything else selected. |
Posted on 05/02/08 1:56:55 PM |
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cy98
** Posts: 115 Reply |
Re: Paths to Selections
Wow! Another gem from Dave. Did not know that option existed. That will make my life a lot easier. Thanks. |
Posted on 05/02/08 9:49:23 PM |
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ray laws
* Posts: 16 Reply |
Re: Paths to Selections
Dave, The mystery of Photoshop, sure enough when I fired it back up last night. No problems. Made my selection with the magnetic lasso tool. Then Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V onto my other photo and beavered away quite happily.Ctrl+T well you probably know more of the shortcuts, but I was well pleased with the results. Cheers ray |