Question

Copy and Paste to same Layer - Photoshop CS4

Asked by: Callis

I am a novice user of Photoshop CS4. The layer stuff is killing me. It seems like after every thing I do I have to ge "merge" layers.

I am doing a lot of Copy/Paste - manipulating bitmaps. Mostly Just rearranging things or creating duplicates. But I don't need a new layer every time I paste something.

Is there a way to force photshop to only work with one layer?

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Asked On
2009-08-10 at 10:18:21ID24640630
Topic

Adobe Photoshop

Participating Experts
2
Points
150
Comments
5

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Answers

 

by: statler01Posted on 2009-08-10 at 10:39:06ID: 25062097

I used to think the same thing when I started using Photoshop. Once you get used to working with layers you'll come to appreciate them a lot more.

I've never attempted to "force" Photoshop to work on one layer. The easy way to do what you're requesting is just click ctrl+v then ctrl+e. That will paste and then merge down. It's only one more key press.

 

by: CallisPosted on 2009-08-10 at 11:03:11ID: 25062341

That's better, thank you! ... you can tell I am just starting out.

Two follow up questions with Copy/Paste difficulties.

I Select the Marquee tool and copy the area and then paste it. Then BACK to the toolbar and get the pointer to move the selection. Repeat for the next area...That is a lot of back and forth...
1) Is there a way to cheat and swap tools without having to keep going back and forth to the tool bar?

2) Maybe this is more of a comment than a question. But after you paste. I can't see what I pasted, because PS pastes it exactly on top of what I copied (again - I am moving things around on the same bitmap). And it does not highlight (dashed line) around the area that was pasted. So I hit ctrl-v and (i feel like) everything disappears. Then I remember - oh yea, it;s there it is just on top (actually on a new layer). I just feel like the software is trying to make things difficult for me.

 

by: jkunreinPosted on 2009-08-10 at 11:42:30ID: 25062689

To answer #1, the hotkeys are your friend.  I usually paste and then press V to select the Move tool.  It's kind of convenient that I can do Ctrl+V and then V to move it around.  And M does the Marquee again.

I can feel your pain for #2, but you just get used to it.  

 

by: jkunreinPosted on 2009-08-10 at 11:44:14ID: 25062703

Sorry, my #2 sounded a bit flippant.  That was not my intention.

I was just saying that after enough times, you probably won't even think twice about it, and it shouldn't bug you anymore.  Of course, that's true for almost any program you use consistently.

 

by: statler01Posted on 2009-08-10 at 11:55:55ID: 25062830

If you deselect (ctrl+D) before pasting, PS will paste your piece into the center of the canvas.
So, make your selection, hold ctrl then press C, D, V, release ctrl, press V. Move the pasted part, ctrl+E
It sounds tricky, but will be very fast once you get used to it.

One other thing, depending on what you are doing...

Try out the clone tool. It might make life easier for you.
http://www.lonestardigital.com/rubber_stamp.htm

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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