Dragging To Select Multiple Layers In Document Window?

Question

I've looked this up but can't seem to make it work.  I want to select the 6 or 7 layers that make up a picture in my file.  I'm working with a file someone else created so there are dozens of layers, which makes it hard to select just a few from the Layers Pallete.
Is there an easy way to select all the constituent layers of a particular item on the document window?  I've tried ho0lding Shift down while trying to select all the layers, but that isn't effective because the layers are on top of eachother.  Is there no way I can drag my mouse and have Photoshop select every layer that is complete inside the dragged area?
Thanks.
Ken

Answer 1

Ken, Marek's response is correct with regard to selecting, (read: targeting), layers in the Layers Panel.This is good if you need to apply a transformation to the contents of multiple layers simultaneously, use alignment/distribution features on those layers, or merge them.
Your description of what you're attempting, however, suggests you want to select the pixels residing on particular layers. The way you're doing it isn't the way it works. What you want can be done, but not in the image window. In the Layers Panel, Ctrl+Click on the layer thumbnail of the first layer you want selected, (you should see the actuated selection in the form of 'marching ants' surrounding the layer's non-transparent pixels...in the image), then add the Shift key and Shift+Ctrl+Click on the layer thumbnail of each of the additional layers to subsequently add their non-transparent pixels to the selection.
Note that all you're doing here is making a selection, as opposed to selecting the contents of multiple layers. Such a selection can only target a single layer, and any pixel-altering operation you apply with this selection active will only affect one layer...not all those that may have contributed to the additive selection-building process described.