Adding layers and still have contact aware fill work

[azosonegro]

I don't consider myself a newbie but thought it best to post here.
I use Photoshop CS 5 for processing and improving images only, no text layers etc.
Usually if I remove things from an image, grass blade, dust speckle, etc it's the first step in my workflow.
However sometimes I'll notice something that I need to remove after I've added several adjustment layers, curves, levels, etc.
If I create a new layer with ctrl J, I can use some of the tools, but not the lasso tool followed by a delete to get contact fill to work.
For example, I just added a new layer, the healing brush would work but when I tried to remove a whole blade of grass I used the lasso tool with a stroke to the delete key. It does nothing? No idea why not but I'd still like to use it.

Thanks for any advice

 

[ibclare]

Sometimes I will copy merge the layers to that point and hide the originals in a group. Then you have a clean canvas so to speak.

 

[azosonegro]

not quite sure how to do that, I've not created a "group" before so I guess I am a newbie.
You have a link I can check out to see how that is done.

 

[ibclare]

It is very easy. Keyboard shortcut is my preference. Do your merge-copy first. Then select all the original layers and use ctl/cmd + G. There is your group; rename it if you like the same as you would a layer.

 

[IamSam]

For example, I just added a new layer, the healing brush would work but when I tried to remove a whole blade of grass I used the lasso tool with a stroke to the delete key. It does nothing? No idea why not but I'd still like to use it.

Your right, the healing brush will work on an empty layer! However, none of the Lasso Tools work on an active/highlighted empty layer. It does not work because nothing is actually being selected. This also means that nothing can be deleted as well.

If you make a selection with the Lasso Tool on a active/highlighted pigmented layer, there's no need to hit the delete key before using the Content Aware Fill.

Here's a TUTORIAL on Content Aware Fill.

 

[azosonegro]

Perhaps a better question would be then how do I create an active pigmented layer after I've used a few adjustment layers on the background copy? Create a group as suggested above?

 

[IamSam]

Perhaps a better question would be then how do I create an active pigmented layer after I've used a few adjustment layers on the background copy?

Here is where you lose me...........Grouping is another matter altogether, the answer is command/control + J to copy (selected layers if need be).

 

[IamSam]

(This is similar to what Clare explained)
If the idea is to preserve any existing changes made to an image, such as adjustment layers, you can Merge a copy of all visible layers into a target layer using this keyboard shortcut cmd/cntrl + shift + option/alt + E (we'll call this new layer X). Then you can highlight the layers from which you just made the copy from and hit cmd/cntrl + G to group them.

The problem with this method is that you can not go back to your grouped layers which contain the adjustment layers and make changes to the new layer X. Layer X is now fixed.

 

[IamSam]

See if this makes any sense.

Here is a photo that I would like to make some changes on. Notice I have made some arrows to show the Spider web I want to remove.



This is the layers Panel showing where I created the six arrow shape layers. They're in the way so let's group them.
Highlight the arrow layers...............



............and hit cmd/cntrl + G. I then renamed the group.
Next I copied the original layer (Original copy 1) and then turned off the original and arrow group layers.
I also added a Hue & Sat and Curves adjustment layer.

This is also the layer I used the Patch Tool and the Spot Healing brush Tool to remove the Spiders web!!!!!



Ok.............lets say I want to make a copy of these layers for some reason.
Highlight the layers you wish to copy (shift + click or cmd +click)............



...Command/control + J to copy then Command/Control + E to merge.........



....I then named the merged copy Layer X. Layer X is now fixed.



Lets group the the adjusted layers.........

Highlight them...



Hit Command/Control + G and rename Adjustment Group.



As I stated earlier, Layer X is now fixed. But lets say you want to use the Lasso Tool and Content Aware Fill to remove an object.
Highlight Layer X .........



Select your Lasso Tool, outline the object, go to EDIT > SELECT CONTENT AWARE and hit OK.



My final thought is......... if you want to make changes to the image and still have the ability to use your adjustment layers, make them on the Original Copy 1 layer!

You can also make a copy of the Original Copy 1 after each state change to save....just in case.

 

[ibclare]

Great tutorial Sam! Good of you to take the time. That should help clear it up.

 

[azosonegro]

Wow, Sam thanks so much for taking that time. I'm at work now but will try and digest it tomorrow at home.