Documents Window and Tools palette

[Telescopist]

When a file appears in the documents window, I usually create a few adjustment layers and fiddle around a bit with Levels & Color Balance. I practice some with Curves. Due to my lack of competency with this tool, I usually send it off to the trash. Here's my question. After I have done a few cursory touch ups, I attempt to open up an use several of the features on the Tools palette. In particular, the spot heal brush tool is really clever. The problem is that it won't work. If I open up tool make some adjustments on the Options Bar>Alt/Click the area that I wish to use as the healing reference point>mouse to the area that I wish to heal. Nothing happens. However, I have 'discovered' the following: If I open up an image in the document window an do not begin by creating adjustment layers, but instead select the spot healing brush tool - it works! The same could be said for some (or all) of the Filters - such as the Sharpen Tool, which I am fond of. If I create adjustment layers first then attempt to sharpen the image all I get is a white background.

Thanks.

[hawkeye]

Make sure you have the correct layer selected to make adjustments, you may have one of the adjustment layers highlighted in which case the other tools will have no effect, or not what you want.

However you may to change your workflow. using healing, cloning , painting tools etc. prior to adjustment layers.

Another way is to merge all the layers to a new layer(shift+ctrl+alt+E) then use the other tools on that merged layer.

[Telescopist]

Make sure you have the correct layer selected to make adjustments, you may have one of the adjustment layers highlighted in which case the other tools will have no effect, or not what you want.

Okay. In this particular situation, I just have 1 layer - a Levels Layer besides the Background Layer. The Levels Layer is highlighted however, that really doesn't have any effect at all on my inability to use the Tools Palette. Not all of the tools are finicky. I can use the text tool and it creates a Text Layer.

However you may to change your workflow. using healing, cloning , painting tools etc. prior to adjustment layers.

I think I will be resolved to doing that unless I discover a work around...

Another way is to merge all the layers to a new layer(shift+ctrl+alt+E) then use the other tools on that merged layer.

I will try this. Merging layers is not the same thing as flattening layers is it? In other words, will I be able to open up the previous layers and work on them individually once they are merged?

Thanks.

[hawkeye]

Adjustment layers are not directly editable, except for B&W brushes on it's mask. Select the background layer to use the tools or filters. Better still, make a copy of the background layer and use them on the copy.

The text tool always creates it's own layer regardless of the layer that's highlighted in the palette.

Merging as I specified (ctrl+alt+shift+E) creates a new layer with all the existing layers merged into one. The other layers will remail in tact.

[ibclare]

I think I will be resolved to doing that unless I discover a work around...

You really shouldn't have to do the cloning, healing brush work, etc., before making adjustment layers, but if as Hawkeye suggests, that simplifies your work flow then by all means.

I will try this. Merging layers is not the same thing as flattening layers is it? In other words, will I be able to open up the previous layers and work on them individually once they are merged?

Hawkeye is right on the money. I just want to add one thought. What he explains about merging layers is one of two ways. The first is what you ask about. You take 2 or 3 layers for example, select/highlight them then use cmd/ctl + e. This will flatten those layers together and you won't be able to access them again. I often use this however when I have multiple adjustment layers and am happy with the results. When you use cmd/ctl + opt/alt + e then as Hawkeye said you are making a merged copy of the selected layers and your original layers will be unaffected.

Tip: if you have a lot of layers that you copy-merge, you may want to put them into a group so you can see what you're working with more easily. That's especially helpful, keeps your palette clean and clear, if you have a lot of adjustment, clipping, or other relative layers.

[Telescopist]

This is just a quick response to acknowledge your help - and Hawkeye's... I need to practice some utilizing the suggestions you both have offered and then get back. Thanks!

[ibclare]

you're welcome