Pasting on same layer... argh

[BlueFlare]

Ctr+Alt and move.

[amz23]

That's for duplicating layers/selections o_O !

[pgraham]

Free Transform keeps the selection in the same layer, perhaps you can use ctrl-atl-T to do a copy-transform in the same layer.

There is also layer via copy (ctrl-J) which duplicates the selection without centering it, then you can merge down with ctrl-E.

[BlueFlare]

That's for duplicating selections o_O !

It's pasting a selection on the same layer, which is exactly what you wanted, according to your post that is, unless you forgot to tell me something. :rolleyes:

[amz23]

Hello,

I'm sorry, the source of misunderstanding is this: I don't wanna copy-paste stuff from the same layer, but from another one or even other file... I just want to paste whatever I have in the clipboard, in the _current_ layer :P !

Thanks :wise: !

[BlueFlare]

Apply Image exactly does eaxctly that, just make sure its blending mode is set to normal and that the source image has the same size. It also works with the clipboard or parts of images by using some tricks. Just write an action or script for it, which shouldn't be too difficult, I already have it pretty much working in my mind.

[controltheweb]

First, I would love to know how to get Image Apply to work with the clipboard. That sounds very useful.

However, I have a two methods I use to solve this (annoying to me also!) "feature" of Photoshop. Note that objects are pasted in the position they came from in later versions of PaintShopPro. (So at least one other image editing programs have seen this need and solved it directly.)

My need is to be able to make selections, modify them, and then later align them exactly over the original source selection, either as masks or adjustment layers. Furthermore, I need this to work when recorded as an action---so no manual fiddling allowed!

I'm guessing you'll want to use method #1. Method #2 utilize's Photoshop's "paste into" feature and is great for my need.

Method #1:

After making your primary selection, add a bit of two opposite corners to your selection (has to be kitty-corner: upper left and lower right, or lower right and upper left).

Then when you are ready to paste, do this: paste into a new layer, delete the corners, and merge the layer with your destination. Sounds awful, but is actually easy and fast. Adding the corners to your selection means it will only just fit (if the source file canvas size is the same as the destination file cavas size), so it will be placed in the same aspect registration it came from.

Method #2

I create a layer I name "home position" that is a copy of what I am copying onto the clipboard in the original position. Later I ctrl-click the icon on that layer (I'm in CS2---so you have to click the layer icon for this to work!) which creates a selection that I can use to paste into so my object will align exactly over its original source location.

To create "home position" I simply copy/paste with the selection active when creating the original object, and just name the layer created via the paste "home position." If you're not familiar with how "paste into" works, try this:

Fill a new layer with a color, select an off-center area, copy, and with the selection still active, paste twice. You'll get two new layers, one with the object pasted in the exact location it came from, and the other with the object centered. This happens becasue the first paste causes the selection area to deselect, so PhotoShop's good 'ol centering comes back into play.

Hope this helps!

[avinashlobo]

Am I reading this completely wrong? Shouldn't this just be Shift-drag with the move tool and then Ctrl+E to merge down?

Why Apply Image when it's clearly so much longer and controltheweb, what on earth is this about "kitty-corners"?

[controltheweb]

Thanks, avinashlobo!

As I understand it, amz23 asked about retaining the original positioning of image data that is on the clipboard.

In most cases, using the right workflow provides techniques like yours that solve the problem (more accurately, prevent a problem from arising). However, when I export then re-import import data from another application, or paste in quick mask mode (or make an error in workflow), sometimes it's helpful to have a way of placing the image data back in its original position. That's why I sometimes create a positioning layer.

As far as the technique using corners, it sounds more like you disapprove rather than misunderstand, so perhaps we'll just leave it at that? :)

[amz23]

Hi!

Sorry for the late reply hehe. Yeah, the method I use is #1, just a little different... I use only one corner and with snap on, I just snap the pasted image to the corresponding corner hehe. And while using this or any method to paste and align in the proper place, you still have to merge, which doesn't take much time I know, but this is not as efficient as it could be! For two simple layers it may not be apparent, but what if one of them has layer effects (the layer in which you're pasting into)? You'd have to "copy layer effects", remove the effects, paste the layer, use any method to align them, merge the layers, then paste the effects again... too long!

This seems stupid to me since even in Paint Shop Pro -when I used it- the default paste is in the same layer in the same position haha...

Haha well, you've posted your methods and work-arounds since there is no direct way to do it, perhaps this post should be in the Adobe requests forums :D

[controltheweb]

I use CS2, and when merging down image data (pasted from clipboard onto new layer), the destination layer keeps its effects and applies them to the image data being merged into it. Don't know about other versions.

[avinashlobo]

As far as the technique using corners, it sounds more like you disapprove rather than misunderstand, so perhaps we'll just leave it at that? :)It put my head in a spin, is what it did. No disapproval there. I just couldn't figure out what you were on about. :)

As far as I know, when using the Move tool with Shift, Photoshop recognizes the original position of the selection/layer with transparency provided the source and destination images are of the exact same size. If they are not, it just reverts to the center of the destination image. While this might seem undesirable, it prevents nonsense like moving stuff out of the viewable canvas area from occurring.

Also, with CS3 (I don't know about CS2), Photoshop respects the effects on the layer you're merging to (which is the correct behaviour). So if you have a layer with a Bevel Emboss above a layer with a Drop Shadow and then merge, the Bevel is "baked" / "frozen" / "rasterized" into the top layer and then merged down to the bottom layer with the Drop Shadow intact.

When you want to move stuff from images of different sizes then and retain the same absolute pixel position then, of course, manual positioning or very twisted workarounds are required. Here are a couple -

(1) This one is very limited only works when the stuff being moved is very simple, but should be the fastest of the lot. Select All, Copy Merged (Ctrl+Shift+C). Then paste to destination. Then just mask out the stuff you want.

(2) Select All in the source image. Edit -> Stroke -> OK. Shift+Move the layer to the destination. Erase the stroke (this should be very easy to do - just marquee select around the important stuff, invert the selection and delete)

(3) Do the kitty-corner thing that controltheweb suggested (I finally understood it! :thumbsup: ).

(4) Show Rulers (Ctrl+R). Zoom to the top left corner of the source using maximum zoom (Ctrl+Space+Draw a tiny rectangle over the top left of the layer to go there immediately). Place the mouse cursor over the top left and note the values in the rulers. As you hover, there will be a dotted line on the ruler so you can see the values easily. All this sounds like a lot but actually takes about 5 seconds.

In the destination image, create new guides (Alt+V, E) at the positions noted. Snap the pasted layer to these new guides.

Good luck! :scream:

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