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What setting is stopping me from entering text on a layer?

Apr 22, 2012 5:33 PM

I've been adding text to layers for a few months with no problem. Now every time I use the text tool all I get is a 'dot' with a line that extends as I type. It does create a layer and the layer is named by whatever I typed but there isn't anything there. I've tried the 'find' and it didn't find anything. I've gotten the outline to show, but it's empty. I also found a similar question and the response was that the font size might be too small to see. I have a 25 inch background and set the font to 72 but still nothing. Since I haven't had this problem until now it seems like something is just set wrong -- but what?

1241 Views 27 Replies Latest reply: Shan-Dysigns, Apr 25, 2012 7:40 PM

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1. R_Kelly,

Apr 22, 2012 6:02 PM in reply to alexpio

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I'd try resetting the Type Tool by right clicking on the big T and choosing Reset Tool.

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2. Curt Y,

Apr 22, 2012 6:44 PM in reply to alexpio

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Make sure the type is not the same color as the background.

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3. Semaphoric,

Apr 22, 2012 7:33 PM in reply to alexpio

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Also, make sure the resolution of your image isn't ridiculously low.

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4. c.pfaffenbichler,

Apr 23, 2012 12:10 AM in reply to alexpio

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Good advice already, but maybe posting a screenshot with the relevant Panels and the Options Bar visible might help?

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5. alexpio,

Apr 23, 2012 6:16 AM in reply to alexpio

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Nice to see so many suggestions. I didn't know (or maybe forgot) about the reset function. Unfortunately none of these made any difference. I'd post a screen print but really don't know how. My screen prints just go to the printer. Anyway, I decided to just give in and start over VANILLA.

I made a new file. Size 8.5 x 11 Changed the font size to 30 and the style to Myriad Pro. Everything else is default. No layers added to the background. Then I select the Text tool. It shows Layer 1 and the little square that indicates the text will be horizontal. As I type, the cursor moves right and drags a line with it. If I click on the 'Layer 1' it changes to whatever it is I typed -- but there is nothing on the screen. Yesterday I could select the 'move' tool and see an empty layer but today nothing shows. The differences, aside from font size, were the size of the background and an additional layer. Oh, yes, and today all the tools were reset. I'm missing something, I know -- and probably some little thing. Any more ideas? I sure could use some

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6. c.pfaffenbichler,

Apr 23, 2012 6:23 AM in reply to alexpio

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What resolution?
Is the foreground color black?

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7. Curt Y,

Apr 23, 2012 6:49 AM in reply to alexpio

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To post a screenshot: Make a screen save (if Win7 use Sniping tool in Accessory) then save to a location.

Then when posting click the camera icon and browse to you file location.

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8. Shan-Dysigns,

Apr 23, 2012 10:16 AM in reply to Curt Y

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A 25 INCH background using 72 (px I'm assuming) font?

Your solution has already been suggested above (by several people). This HAS to do with your document dimensions.

Start a new document FILE/NEW

Just use the presets drop down menu - choose WEB, choose any size in the next drop down menu, your resolution probably reads "72" - I've adjusted mine to read "100" so I have the proper relative screen zoom (for my particular screen resolution). Click OK. Select TYPE tool, use 72 for the size. Now, if you are still having issues with not seeing the text, then a screen shot is definitely needed.

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9. Gary Politzer,

Apr 23, 2012 12:49 PM in reply to alexpio

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Forgive me for asking such a stupid question, but is there any chance your font is the same color as the background?

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10. Semaphoric,

Apr 23, 2012 5:31 PM in reply to Gary Politzer

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> Forgive me for asking such a stupid question, but is there any chance your font is the same color as the background?

Nobody ever reads response no. 2 [Old forum joke].

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11. alexpio,

Apr 24, 2012 7:54 AM in reply to alexpio

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Thanks for all the great suggestions. I've tried them all except for the screen print -- and I'm copying that for future reference. Since I know this worked before and since I've been on vacation for a week I'm going to assume we had some heavy weather here during that time. I'm going to reinstall Photoshop and hope whatever 'slipped' is reset. I appreciate it all. Hopefully the next time I come back it will be to help.

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12. Curt Y,

Apr 24, 2012 8:00 AM in reply to alexpio

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A re-install rarely solves the problem.

I suggest you restet the preferenes to factory defalults. Start Photosop then IMMEDIATELY hold down Ctrl + Alt + shift keys. You should get a reset window.

It is a little tricky so if you get the splash screen you are too late in pressing the keys.

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13. Shan-Dysigns,

Apr 24, 2012 9:58 AM in reply to Curt Y

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Don't re-install Photoshop until you have exhausted ALL other troubleshooting. You may just be wasting a good hour of install time.

http://www.shan-dysigns.com/userForums/photoshop/font.psd

Download this .psd and see if you can add text to it. There is a layer with paragraph text. Double-click the TEXT (T) icon on the layer panel and see if you can add/edit/replace the text.

A screen shot is SO easy and can maybe help. While in Photoshop, make sure your character panel is visible. Just click the "Print Screen" button on your keyboard. Come back to reply, paste the image here by clicking "Ctrl + V". If that doesn't do it, try again. If that doesn't work, look online for alternate directions.

This has to be a simple problem.

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14. acresofgreen,

Apr 24, 2012 10:48 AM in reply to Semaphoric

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Semaphoric wrote:

Nobody ever reads response no. 2 [Old forum joke].
Or response no. 9 apparently. The OP still hasn't confirmed that he is not typing with the same color as the layer below.

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15. Shan-Dysigns,

Apr 24, 2012 11:07 AM in reply to acresofgreen

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It can be very frustrating when one takes the time to try and help someone, then for that person (the OP) to not really wait and try ALL the suggestions from others. Another thing to make sure is you are NOT in Quick Mask mode. Look at your CHANNELS panel and make sure you ONLY have 4 layers. Some times the Quick Mask mode can "stick" between documents.

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16. alexpio,

Apr 25, 2012 5:34 AM in reply to acresofgreen

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They only allow marking 4 replies as helpful. I marked the 4 most helpful to me. No, the font is not the same color as the background.

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17. alexpio,

Apr 25, 2012 5:38 AM in reply to Shan-Dysigns

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Soorry. I thought I did try all suggestions -- except the screen shot; I was, and am, too frustrated to keep at it. Just because a suggestion isn't marked as helpful doesn't mean it wasn't tried. Even suggestions that don't work are helpful in that they add to the 'no it's not that' list. BUT they only allowed me to mark 4 as 'helpful'. I marked the four I found MOST helpful. Maybe I should just skip marking next time?

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18. alexpio,

Apr 25, 2012 5:39 AM in reply to Shan-Dysigns

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Oh, yes, I checked and all I had was the background and 1 layer. The text would have made 2.

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19. alexpio,

Apr 25, 2012 5:47 AM in reply to Curt Y

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Wow. It worked. Time to celebrate. The funny thing is I didn't (knowingly) define my own presets. But then I also had a problem with permissions on my other computer this week -- SOLVED. And my air conditioner. . . Probably had some pretty wild weather here while I was gone.

Thanks again.
alexpio

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20. alexpio,

Apr 25, 2012 5:53 AM in reply to Shan-Dysigns

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Thanks. Didn't get this far but trying to work on an existing .psd was worth a try.

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21. Shan-Dysigns,

Apr 25, 2012 9:07 AM in reply to alexpio

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So... what did you do that solved it?

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22. Noel Carboni,

Apr 25, 2012 9:40 AM in reply to Shan-Dysigns

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It was the air conditioner that did it. They tend to get mischievous and chew on things when you leave them alone too long.

-Noel

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23. Shan-Dysigns,

Apr 25, 2012 10:06 AM in reply to Noel Carboni

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It was the air conditioner that did it.

I would have voted for the fact he went on vacation and the weather.

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24. alexpio,

Apr 25, 2012 7:16 PM in reply to Shan-Dysigns

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I used Curt Y's instructions on how to reset Photoshop to all factory defaults. And yeah, it's a lot faster than re-installing the whole thing.

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25. Noel Carboni,

Apr 25, 2012 7:24 PM in reply to alexpio

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Not only that, but reinstalling doesn't actually reset Photoshop to the factory defaults. If you'd gone through that you'd have found all your defaults intact.

-Noel

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26. alexpio,

Apr 25, 2012 7:38 PM in reply to Noel Carboni

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Boy would I have been disappointed! I thought it was just like starting over fresh. So now I learned something else new. Thanks.

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27. Shan-Dysigns,

Apr 25, 2012 7:40 PM in reply to alexpio

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I would go ahead and learn how to make a screen shot. Those really do come in handy when asking for help.

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