Problems/limitations of Layer Via Copy (Cmd+J)

Some results of Layer Via Copy (Cmd+J) when pixel layers are targeted seem unusual to me. Depending on initial conditions, the result can be entire layers being duplicated instead of just the selection, masks not being duplicated, and the selection being lost plus Select > Reselect being unavailable. It's not difficult to devise workarounds but I think something may be amiss.
The following table shows my expected and actual results for CS6 on OS X 10.6.8. Results which I find strange are in red triple caps.

PECourtejoie wrote:
JJ, line 4 works in CS3. are you sure the layer is targeted?
It may be available in CS3. The second machine I had CS3 crashed a while back, so I can no longer install CS3 without calling Adobe for I did nod deactivate it.
I may have to do that for CS3 is the version of Photoshop that does not have bugs that affect what I use in Photoshop.
The only versions of Photoshop I can test these days are CS2 CS5 and CS6.
CS6 is so buggy I don't use it.
With CS2 row 4 is available, however the new layer created is not correct for the targeted layer layer mask does not affect the creation of the new layer. I retested CS5 and though it looked like I had targeted the layer, the actual target was the layer's layer mask. When I targeted the layers contents the command was available like in CS2; the created layer did not reflect the transparency caused by the layer's layer mask.
CS6 is still an other story: while cs6 works the same when the layer layer contents is the target, the command is available when the layer mask is the actual target, and the result is that the layer is duplicated and the selection is not honored.
Here are some screen captures
CS5 with layer contents targeted
Results
CS6 with Layer Mask being the target
results
In any case row 4 does not work the way I expected it too.
I never ran into this problem for normally I use stamp visible layers to create the new layers I want.
Shift+Alt+Ctrl+N Shift+Alt+Ctrl+E or simply Shift+Alt+Ctrl+N+E
Stamp visible layers does not honor an active selection but leaves it active, so you can add it as a layer mask by just clicking the add layer mask icon in the layers palette after stamping visible layers.....

Similar Messages

Resolving Layer via Copy or Layer via Cut - Grayed Out

There are many times you will "place" a picture file inside your photoshop document, and want to resize it, put it in a different layer, or crop the image inside photoshop - but you may find a simple error message or grayed out layer via copy/cut prevents you from doing so.
To do this, you will most often do this one of three ways:
1) Select the Marquee tool and outline the area of the image you want to copy or cut
2) Go to Layer > New > Layer via Cut/Copy
3) Click Ctrl+J
Many times, you will find none of these selections work. All options will be greyed out. You may be tempted to create a new layer, and then use one of these options in the new layer. In this case, you will get the error message "Could not make a new layer from the selection because the selected area is empty." All these errors are a result of photoshop not identifying pixels that you are trying to cut/copy.
There is a simple solution to this problem. Go over to the "Layers" box, and click on the layer listing for the layer where your newly placed image resides. Make sure your image is the only item in this layer, if not relocate the image into a new layer by itself. Right-click on the layer where your photo is located in the "layers" box and click on "Rasterize Layer".
Once you do this you will now be able to follow one of the steps above to Layer Via Copy or Layer Via Cut.
Good luck.

you will get the error message "Could not make a new layer from the selection because the selected area is empty." All these errors are a result of photoshop not identifying pixels that you are trying to cut/copy.
I would say they are the result of the active Layer not being a pixel layer or being empty in the selected region, judging from the remedy you describe.
And what you seem to call »box« goes by the name of »Panel«.

Layer Via Copy ??

Help and my apologies for the absurd detail in this question! Recently in a class I saw a Layer (or more usually a Selection) created by an 'unusual' Layer Via Copy method. I've been unable to duplicate what happened.
Here's what I saw - From a background layer (with selection), create a new (blank) layer. Create a SECOND new Layer containing (!!) the 'outline' of the background layer/selection, somehow make the selection/layer appear in this layer and make the blank new layer disappear.
Yes, really.
Here are the steps I've created to get PART of the way. Explanations and Corrections welcome, please, really, pretty please and thank you very much!
Open an image.
Make a (partial) selection. (Helps you see what will happen.)
Using Layer Menu, Create a new layer (Single Left Click [SLC] on the rectangle in rectangle next to the garbage can).
This is Layer 1.
From Layer 1 (!) CMND + SLC Create A New Layer. (Layer 2)
This new Layer (Layer 2) contains the 'marching ants' outline of the Background Layer.
PROBLEM: How do I make the selection - not just the marching ants - appear in Layer 2?
You can create a solid (black) fill of the selection in Layer 2 with Option + SLC Layers Mask (white circle in gray square in Layers Menu) but though I saw this step, I think it may/might/could have occurred after merging the blank layer 1 with the (at least partially) 'filled' layer 2.
ALSO; fyi, you can - from the background layer (with selection active)
create new layer
return to background layer/selection
cmnd + create new layer
and then if (still on L2), option + new layer mask, you get the same black fill as above but the selection disappears from the background layer.
Thank you very much.

Yes! I am confused too! But, no, I am positive of the approach as I saw it in use. Can you read a .psd image from an e-mail? (I'm really stupid about most things.) If yes, then I can send each step - otherwise...
Do these steps and watch the result.
Open an image.
Make a selection.
New layer via copy from the Layers Menu Icon (L1 - blank)
ON LAYER 1 !!!
CMND + New Layer Via Copy (creates ...)
L2 and it will have the marching ants outline of/from Background.
(Option+Layer Mask and the selection appears in solid black in the layer mask box)
NOTE: You don't have to create that blank L1 - you can 'just' from Background/selection CMND+New Layer and get the outline copied to L1(in this case). What I saw involved first creating a blank layer as above - really. The next steps, make the selection in L2 appear and the L1 disappear (deleting is cheating...)
Wish I had a clue
Is what I've done - so far - right?
How to make the layer/selection appear in L2.
Thanks.
chris pantaleoni
Pantaleoni Photographer
2690 Historic Decatur Road, Suite 201
San Diego, California 92106
619-857-7280 e-mail: [email protected]

Layer via Copy, Free Transform, Multiple Layers, Doesnt work?

Hello,
I am using Adobe Photoshop CS6, latest version as of 05/25/12
I have 19 layers, each has a 1200x1200px texture. These are of course overlapped, so setting them all to visible will only show the top layer.
All layers are rasterized, and contain 1200x1200px:
1) I select all 19 layers using shift+click, all are highlighted (in the layer pane).
2) I select a region using the selection tool, in this case a rectangular region that is 172px high and 35px wide.
3) I right click the selection, and then select: layer via copy. (Note, Layer via cut is disabled for some reason)
4) *problem* It creates 19 new layers with the full image from the selected layers and not the selection which is what I wanted to place in the new layers.
5) *problem* when I right click the selection and select "Free Transform", the transform box surrounds the entire canvas and not the selection.
6) *problem* when I skew, it skews the entire image and not just the selection.
7) *problem* Previously, I have been able to select a layer from the layer pane, go to image menu, select adjustments, brightness/contrast, and adjust the brightness/contrast for just that layer. Now it wont let me.
8) *related problem* If I have 3 layers (background, 1, and 2) on a 1200x1200 canvas, with the image in layer 1 being 150px, and the image in layer 2 being 150x, each rasterized, and then stack the images on 1 and 2 over eachother, then select both layers, then select a region inside the stacked images, then select free transform, the free transform selection embodies all pixels inside the canvas (not the entire canvas this time) and performs the transform on these pixels and not the original selection.
If I do it making all the layers visible as well as selected, it behaves the same.
What appears to be happening is Photoshop is ignoring the selection and for some reason is using a pixel region (or if pixels cover the entire canvas, the whole image) when performing actions intended for the selection.
What's strange is when I made these textures, I started out with 19 150x150 pictures, I set the canvas size to 1200x1200, selected all the layers in the layer pane, selected the 150x150 image in the middle, and was able to move all 19 textures to the top right corner, able to switch to transform on all 19 pictures, able to rotate 180 degrees all 19 pictures, was able to flip horizontal all 19 pictures, then able to copy all 19 pictures to new layers, move the 19 pictures all at the same time to the right 150 pixels, rinse and repeat, to eventually come out with 19 1200x1200 textures tiled from the 150px pictures. In other words, I did exactly what I am attempting to do with the 1200x1200 pictures with the 150x150 pixtures and it worked like a champ.
Something has changed, maybe an option somewhere got clicked, something. I don't know.
The end goal of course is to take a selection of all 19 of the 1200x1200 pictures, transform, then skew that image to make a collage of images applied to an added background. Performing this on all 19 textures and getting the same exact skew, etc would take days considering I need to do about 15 of different portions of the tile.
Need some help here... is there an option somewhere that makes photoshop ignore the selection and perform the actions on all the images?
Best regards,
Dustin

Just ran into this problem today Dustin. You can only create new layers via copy from one layer. What I ended up having to do is copy all of my images that were on different layers. Then I merged them. Select all the images you copied>Layer>Merge. So now I have two copies of artwork on the same canvas. One that is all different layers and one that is now one layer. Then I was able to select the portions of the new merged layer I wanted and create new layers via copy. Then I erased the extra, merged layer.
You don't have to copy your initial images. I just did in case I wanted to edit them separately later.
I hope I understood your first problem correctly.

The command "Layer Via Copy" not currently available

When I use some purchased actions in CS4, I sometimes get "the command 'layer via copy' not currently available." Does anyone know why?

No-one will be able to tell you without seeing the Actions. There have been changes to Photoshops layering structure over the years, meaning that some older Actions recorded on older versions will encounter problems.
"Layer via copy' not currently available" suggests that either a group or nothing is selected in the layers panel.

Layer Via Copy vs Duplicate Layer

In CS4, what is the practical difference between:
Layer via Copy (Layer > New > Layer via Copy - or Ctrl/J)
and
Duplicate layer (Layer > Duplicate Layer).
Asked another way: when are they NOT interchangeable.

If you want to duplicate a layer to another document, they are not interchangeable. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure they are.
With smart objects, new layer via copy tears off the smart object from other duplicates, so edits made to smart object A do not get copied to smart object B. If you just make a duplicate smart object, then when you edit A you edit B as well.

Photoshop CS6 Layer via Copy Question

Hi,
I've noticed that when a selection is Layer via Copyed in Photoshop CS6, it appears brighter and slightly more saturated in color than the original selection it came from. Currently I manually make lighting and color adjustments to match it back to the original, but is there a way to prevent this altogether? There are no masks or adjustment layers or any other tools being used when this happens -- just a simple Layer via Copy.
I'm not sure if there is a setting that will help cut out that time consuming manual step of retouching to match the original selection, but any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

There shouldn't be any difference if it's just layer via copy in the same document.
What operating system are you using?
Is photoshop cs6 up to date?
(Help>Updates from within photoshop cs6)
Could you post a screenshot(s) showing the difference and your layers panel?

New Layer Via Copy from Extension

Hello everybody,
I'm trying to create a new layer using the Layer > New > Layer Via Copy functionality... and I did scan the code using the Scripting Plug-in with this result:
var idCpTL = charIDToTypeID( "CpTL" );
executeAction( idCpTL, undefined, DialogModes.NO );
Then I did convert it to:
var application:com.adobe.photoshop.Application = Photoshop.app;
var idCpTL:Number = application.charIDToTypeID( "CpTL" );
application.executeAction( idCpTL, undefined, DialogModes.NO );
But this code raises this exception:
Error: NULL pointer was encountered
          at flash.external::HostObject/__call()
          at com.adobe.csawlib::CSHostObject/hostCall()
          at com.adobe.photoshop::Application/executeAction()
I've tried to change "undefined" for "null" or any other idea... but with no luck. What am I doing wrong here?
Thanks a lot!

Reselect is way too flaky to rely on, and is not going to survive long at the best of times. I find the whole saving selections thing too time consuming and an annoying interruption of workflow — even if you right click and save an alpha channel. So I nearly always copy the selected pixels to a new layer, because it works on so many levels. You can ctrl click the layer to reload the selection; use layer styles, create shadows under the layer…
Best practice is to add the Alt (Opt) key to Ctrl j so you remember to name it.

Problems adding WFS layer via Java API

Hi
I am trying to add a WFS layer to my map via the java api. There is little documentation on this and I am struggling a bit, I wonder if anyone has done the same? The call I am developing looks like:
mapViewer.addWFSTheme("devprop",
"WFS",
"http://cjones:8080/geoserver/wfs?",
"EPSG:27700",
"ST_Building",
"the_geom",
"building",
"ID",
attributeList,
renderStyleAttributes,
featIds
but the mapviewer log states:
Jun 30, 2011 4:03:47 PM oracle.sdovis.util.WfsCapabilities readUsingHttpGet
INFO: GetCapabilities request: http://cjones:8080/geoserver/wfs?VERSION=1.0.0&SERVICE=WFS&REQUEST=GetCapabilities
Jun 30, 2011 4:03:47 PM oracle.sdovis.util.WfsCapabilities decodeCapabilities
SEVERE: Decode GetCapabilities failed: null
Jun 30, 2011 4:03:47 PM oracle.sdovis.theme.WFSThemeDefinition readCapabilities
WARNING: Unable to get Capabilities for url: http://cjones:8080/geoserver/wfs?
Jun 30, 2011 4:03:47 PM oracle.sdovis.DBMapMaker renderEm
INFO: **** time spent on loading features: 172ms.
Jun 30, 2011 4:03:47 PM oracle.sdovis.RenderingEngine prepareForRendering
FINEST: xfm: 3.0236220472436512 0.0 0.0 -3.0236220472436512 -1047236.0393699252 532885.8661416543
Jun 30, 2011 4:03:47 PM oracle.sdovis.VectorRenderer render
FINER: time to render theme WFS with 0 styled features: 0ms
Jun 30, 2011 4:03:47 PM oracle.sdovis.VectorRenderer label
FINER: time to label theme WFS with 0 styled features: 0ms
Jun 30, 2011 4:03:47 PM oracle.sdovis.DBMapMaker renderEm
INFO: **** time spent on rendering: 0ms
if I goto http://cjones:8080/geoserver/wfs?VERSION=1.0.0&SERVICE=WFS&REQUEST=GetCapabilities via the browser I get:
<WFS_Capabilities version="1.0.0" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.opengis.net/wfs http://cjones:8080/geoserver/schemas/wfs/1.0.0/WFS-capabilities.xsd">
+<Service></Service>
+<Capability></Capability>
+<FeatureTypeList></FeatureTypeList>
+<ogc:Filter_Capabilities></ogc:Filter_Capabilities>
</WFS_Capabilities>
Any pointer appriciated
Thanks
Chris

If the getcapabilities result is:
<WFS_Capabilities version="1.0.0" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.opengis.net/wfs http://cjones:8080/geoserver/schemas/wfs/1.0.0/WFS-capabilities.xsd">
+<Service></Service>
+<Capability></Capability>
+<FeatureTypeList></FeatureTypeList>
+<ogc:Filter_Capabilities></ogc:Filter_Capabilities>
</WFS_Capabilities>
then it's empty and there are no features to be served up.
Test the WFS service in mapbuilder first.

Problems with Layer via Cut

Application: Testing color combinations on an image of a building facade. Have tried to layer the image using the Polygonal Lasso Tool followed by Layer via Cut. Using Elements 6. PSE does not recognize my selections in the layers, most of the time, but will do it occaisionally. Have not been able to identify why it works some of the time. PSE seems to view some layers as blank, even though it displays the layered selection. I think this has to do with the use of Layer via Cut on adjacent selections and a selection border landing on or near the transparent background.
I have two books on Elements, but no mention of this problem. Should I have used Layer via Copy? That would require more work because each selection that is moved to a layer, has to be eliminated in the Background Copy, in order to view new color schemes. Are there any work arounds for my unrecognized layers? Is there a better way to accomplish this re-coloring?
I have reviewed Adobe's Knowledge Base and the Forum listings. Is there any way to do a selective search on the vast amount of Forum listings? I have scanned a large number but could have easily missed a TIP.
Thanks!
Don

A sample image may not be as informative as the creation and extraction process. Please refer to the following steps and observations.
Create a New Blank File. In the image select a rectangle and use the Paint Bucket to fill it with blue. Select a second rectangle or square in the image that is not in contact with the blue rectangle. Fill this with yellow paint. Make a copy of the background layer and work only with that. Activate the Polygonal Lasso. Select a portion of the blue rectangle (approx. half). Create a New Layer - Layer via Cut. Now should have three layers (Bknd, Bknd Copy less layer 1 and Layer 1). Enable only the Background Copy - disable the remaining layers. Try to use the Clone Stamp to change the yellow to blue. Error message is: Could not use Clone Stamp because target layer is hidden. If yes to Unhide, layer 1 is enabled but does not show as such until the stamp is used. Clone Stamp still cannot tranfer blue to yellow or vice versa. Disable Layer 1. Try to select some portion of the remaining blue rectangle with or without the selection border adjacent to the transparent area created by layer 1. Again, try to extract this using New Layer via Cut. Error message is: Could not make a new layer because No Pixels are Selected.
Why cant I edit individual layers? Why cant I continue to extract portions of the blue rectangle?
Don

Creating A/R Credit Memo via copying from A/R Invoice

Hi all,
I have a problem creating A/R CREDIT MEMO via copying from AR invoice. there are no list of invoice appear eventhough the Customer im trying to add in credit memo are exists in ar invoice.
thanks
vin

Hi Melvin....
First of all welcome to SAP Forum.
Let me tell you its a wrong forum where you posted your query.
You should post your query in SAP Business One Core Forum.
Now for your doubt I guess You are trying to copy Service Type AR Invoice in Item Type Credit Memo.
Just check your Document Type (Item or Service) must be same for both Target and Base Doc while Copy......
Regards,
Rahul

Can't open file - error "There was a problem reading the layer data.."

I'm on a
Mac Pro, 10.5.7
PSCS3
I have been sent a file (148MB) from a client via FTP that I can not open. The file was created on a PC, using PSCS3.
I'm usually pretty good at troubling shooting but I have not seen this before.
Any help, suggestions would welcomed.
I get the following error messages: (see attached)

It looks like the atttachement did not work
Here are the error messages:
First message:
"There was a problem reading the layer data. Read the composite date instead?"
Second Message:
"Could not complete your request because the file is not compatiable with this version of Photoshop."

CS3 New smart object via copy not working

1. I open an image in Photoshop CS3 from camera raw (CR) as a smart object.
2. I right click on the layer and choose "new smart object via copy."
3. I double click on the thumb nail to open the image in CR.
4. I make new edits on the image in CR.
5. I click OK.
6. In CS3 both the new layer and the original layer show the edits done in # 4.
I uninstalled and reinstalled CS# to no avail.
I am running CS3 on a Win Vista 64 bit.
If anyone can make a suggestion, I thank you in advance.
JB

I should say I am trying to learn this software and stumbling through Mr. Kelby's 7 Point System book.
I found my error. I was highllighting the layers not clicking the eye icons off and on.
Thanks for all who look.
JB

"New Smart Object via copy" via JavaScript?

I'd like to know how to copy a smart object but, so every smart object is independent.
I know you can copy layers via layer.duplicate() but that function just copies a instance of the object instead of creating a new object. So how would you do it?

Install Scriptlisener Plugin and do menu layer>Smart Objects>New Smart Object via Copy
javascript action manager code looks like this
// =======================================================
var idplacedLayerMakeCopy = stringIDToTypeID( "placedLayerMakeCopy" );
executeAction( idplacedLayerMakeCopy, undefined, DialogModes.NO );
Look quit a bit like Michael's above append one may execute faster the the other.

New Smart Object Via Copy

Hello Everyone.
I have a smart object, and, If I apply Control "J" Or Drag It to the New Layer Icon, It will Duplicate the Layer.
And If I Go to Layer-Smart Objects- New Object Via Copy, It dose the same thing.
What Is the Different between Control J, or Go to Layer- Smart Objects- New Smart Object Via Copy.
Thanks

You can have duplicated smart object layers that share a common embedded object and you can have duplicated smart object layers with independent embedded smart object. To get independent embedded object you need to use Layers>Smart Objects>New Smart Object via Copy. There are several way to create duplicate smart object layer with shared embedded object. Read Photoshop Help on smart Objects
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/photoshop/cs/using/WS41A5B796-6846-4e95-8459-95243441E126.html

Problems/limitations of Layer Via Copy (Cmd+J)

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