Disappearing gradient widget on shape layer

When editing a gradient fill on a shape layer, sometime I can see the on-screen gizmo that lets me draw the direction and length of the gradient directly the comp window. But most of the time, it's invisible.
What's the trick to seeing it?

Sorry for the double posting here and on the Cow.
I tried that Rick. I still couldn't see the gizmo. After some experimenting, it seems that both the shape and fill need to be contained a Group object for the gizmo to appear.
If I create a shape layer and add a fill, there's no gizmo. But if I also add a Group object and add the shape and fill. The gizmo appears. Take them out of the group... no gizmo.
AE CC2014.2 / Mac OS X 10.9.2

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I’m a web designer that’s used to using Illustrator for all my work. Recently many of my new jobs want me to work in Photoshop, so I’m getting back up to speed with it. I have a few nagging issues that I haven’t been able to figure out:
With the direct selection tool, how do I select a small shape that’s overlapping a larger shape? For example, a small line on top of a large rectangle. When I try to do this Photoshop automatically makes me select the larger shape in the background. I have to zoom in super close and individually shift-select each corner of the smaller shape before I can move/transform/whatever it. This gets tedious and slow real fast!
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1. With smaller shapes that are difficult to select, try selecting their layer first. If you are not sure which layer, switch to the Move tool (V), hold Ctrl and click on the small shape. With the default behavior in Photoshop you should be able to select the layer and then use the Direct selection tool to select points on the vector path of the small shape. If you want to just move the entire shape when its the only path on a layer, aside form using the Path Selection tool (black arrow), you can just use the Move tool (V) to change the position of the layer. If you have to deal with a lot of shape layers that you just want to click and move, enable the Auto Select for the Move tool in the Properties bar. Then holding Ctrl while using the tool will toggle to its non - Auto Select mode.
2.On the Tool's property bar under the main menu, make sure the chain button is not pressed then click on the Style swatch or arrow to the right of the chain button to open the style swatch popup and from its menu there choose No Style. Next shape layer you make will not have the current style automatically applied.
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Another alternative for drawing lines on raster layers without anti-aliasing is to use the Pencil tool and hold Shift while dragging with it. The Pencil Tool in Photoshop is the same as the Brush tool but without anti-aliasing. I think more proper name would be non - anti-alised brush.

Disappearing gradient widget on shape layer

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