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linking layers in Photoshop

need contents to move together

Maylin

12:57 am on May 11, 2004 (gmt 0)

Junior Member

joined:Apr 14, 2004
posts:44
votes: 0

I'm working on a design that has many layers in photoshop. I need to move certain elements to different locations, but because there are so many layers, moving each element along with the layers that go with it takes too much time. All I want to do is to move all of the layers together, but still keep the layers separate in case I need to change them later.

I looked it up in Photoshop's help file and found this:

By linking two or more layers or layer sets, you can move their contents together. You can also copy, paste, align, merge, apply transformations to, and create clipping groups from linked layers.
To link layers:
Select a layer or layer set in the Layers palette.
Click in the column immediately to the left of any layers you want to link to the selected layer. A link icon appears in the column.

Tried that. Doesn't work. What could I be doing wrong?

GuanoLad

3:10 am on May 11, 2004 (gmt 0)

Junior Member

joined:Oct 1, 2002
posts:68
votes: 0

What do you mean it doesn't work? The link icon is a little image of chain links. If you link layers together it shows as one layer selected, the others are linked, and any movement you do with the selected layers moves the others too.

It should be pretty straightforward.

Maylin

3:40 am on May 11, 2004 (gmt 0)

Junior Member

joined:Apr 14, 2004
posts:44
votes: 0

The little chain link icon does show up. The linked layers don't move together.

Is there something that's supposed to be obvious that I could be missing? Maybe I have some other condition selected that would make them not link correctly? Maybe there's something else I need to do? Maybe I have some kind of option checked somewhere in some obscure preference menu that makes it not work?

GuanoLad

6:16 am on May 11, 2004 (gmt 0)

Junior Member

joined:Oct 1, 2002
posts:68
votes: 0

How are you trying to move them? Which tool are you using? Are you using a keyboard command or a mouse-clicked icon from the toolbar?

Is the selected layer moving while the others aren't?

Are you trying to move a locked layer? The Background layer of an image is often locked by default, and to move it you'll have to copy that layer first.

Maylin

6:50 am on May 11, 2004 (gmt 0)

Junior Member

joined:Apr 14, 2004
posts:44
votes: 0

What I would like to do is to be able to select a certain part with the marquee or lasso tool, and use the move tool to move them around to different parts of the image.

I've found that when I don't make a selection, the linked layers feature works. However, I only need to select individual areas of the image. I know that I could copy all of the layers again, paste the different elements and make new linked layers for each part I need to move, but I don't think my computer can handle it! Not to mention how confusing it's going to get scrolling through all the layers. I already have 25 layers, the layers I need to move already have 6 layers that go together, and there are 4 main sections that I want to move around.

I don't want to merge the layers yet because there are certain details that I'm not sure if I'm going to keep yet. Is there a way I can do this in photoshop, or will I just have to cut and paste everything onto even more layers?

I hope I explained what I want clearly enough... I need to get this done quickly so I'm kinda stressing about ways to make this go faster.