How do I 'cut' a shape from a layer?

[peter_quiet]

I have a rectangle with a gradient on it. I want to be able to cut it in half so its like a horizontal tab.

How do I just cut a shape from a layer? I have tried marqee tool selecting the area and then hitting delete but the whole layer disappears :-(

I know this is possible I just dont know how... I would like it so that after the cut everything is removed apart from the shape (i.e. no white space) so that I can move it around...

Thanks!

 

[dv8_fx]

Don't hit delete.... right click on the image layer in the layers palette and select layer via copy.

OR CTRL+Shift+I to inverse the selection and hit delete to delete the unneeded parts.

 

[peter_quiet]

When I right click on the layer in the layers pallete I dont get 'select layer via copy'. What can I do?

 

[dv8_fx]

You can hit CTRL+V and paste the copy selection on a new layer.

 

[dv8_fx]

I'm not on my computer right now..... try right click on the document itself making sure the layer that contains the image is active (click / select layer in layer palette. This may bring out the callout for layer copy.

Make sure the layer that contains the image is active (click / select layer in layer palette）


This rusty brains need oiling. lol....

 

[Stric9]

Layer via copy is cnrtl/command J.

 

[agentmoeller]

I have a rectangle with a gradient on it. I want to be able to cut it in half so its like a horizontal tab.

How do I just cut a shape from a layer? I have tried marqee tool selecting the area and then hitting delete but the whole layer disappears :-(

I know this is possible I just dont know how... I would like it so that after the cut everything is removed apart from the shape (i.e. no white space) so that I can move it around...

Thanks!

Curious why it's doing that. I often use the marquee tool to select an area, then just hit delete to get rid of it. Works perfectly fine all the time.