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What is the purpose of the chain (lock symbol) between a solid color layer and its vector mask?

May 5, 2012 3:04 PM

What is the purpose of the chain (lock symbol) between a solid color layer and its vector mask in the layer panel when creating shape layers with a shape tool? I'm just curious when locking or unlocking the solid color layer and its vector mask can make a difference.

491 Views   7 Replies   Latest reply: Paulo Skylar, May 6, 2012 7:50 AM
 
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  • Noel Carboni
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    Dec 23, 2006
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    1. Noel Carboni,
    May 5, 2012 4:07 PM   in reply to GSIDesign
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    That just means that when you move the layer's pixels (e.g., with the Move Tool) the mask moves with it and vice versa.

     

    -Noel

     
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  • GSIDesign
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    2. GSIDesign,
    May 5, 2012 4:25 PM   in reply to Noel Carboni
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    My question was about solid color and shape layers which don't have pixels.

    I figure the function of the chain is the same as the lock position button on the layer panel, it doesn't allow using the move tool that's all. The shape still can be moved with the transformation box or the path selection tools.

     
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  • c.pfaffenbichler
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    3. c.pfaffenbichler,
    May 6, 2012 3:44 AM   in reply to GSIDesign
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    If the Solid Color Layer is being moved with other Layers (either having been linked, selected or situated in a selected Group) unlinking the Vector Mask would make a difference.

     
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  • Noel Carboni
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    Dec 23, 2006
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    4. Noel Carboni,
    May 6, 2012 5:38 AM   in reply to GSIDesign
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    Yeah, Christoph makes a good point.

     

    I see it as just being there for consistency with other kinds of layers.

     

    -Noel

     
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  • Paulo Skylar
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    5. Paulo Skylar,
    May 6, 2012 7:19 AM   in reply to GSIDesign
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    It can make a difference when the solid color layer is not uniform and you want to position the shape relative to the solid color.

     

    zz.jpg

    Paulo

     
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  • GSIDesign
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    6. GSIDesign,
    May 6, 2012 7:46 AM   in reply to Paulo Skylar
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    I don't understand what you said and your shape layer looks different then mine using CS5.

    When the chain is deselected, I can't do anything with the move tool on the shape layer. This is the only difference I can find. Making the solid color uniform or not doesn't change anything.

     

    Your example shows that you moved the position of the solid color, how did you do that? I can create a solid color layer and change its uniform look by applying an effect like gradient but I can't move the solid color itself around. How is this possible?

     
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  • Paulo Skylar
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    7. Paulo Skylar,
    May 6, 2012 7:50 AM   in reply to GSIDesign
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    Sorry, I did not include a detail.

     

    After you make your shape layer click on Layer > Rasterize > Fill content. You can now adjust what had been your uniform solid color to anything you want. Rasterizing the fill content changes the icon, as you noticed, and now you can move the shape relative to the fill.

     

    Paulo

     
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