3 Replies Latest reply: Mar 18, 2011 2:57 PM by [scott] RSS

    Can you copy a layer selection and a path together? (CS5)

    Jd_Johnson8 Community Member

      Ok, so here is my situation - i have a front shot and a back shot of a product.  i want to show them together in the same image.  i have outlined both shots using the pen tool in their individual images.  now i want to copy the path and the product itself from the front shot and past it into the back shot - but i want to keep them aligned so the front shot still has a proper outline.

       

      however, the only way i can figure to do this is by first copying the layer from the front shot and pasting it into the back shot, then by going back to the front shot and copying the path and pasting that into the back shot.  but they aren't alined, and in fact, it appears as if the path has actually shrunk a little bit...

       

      any ideas on how/if this can be done?

       

      Thank you,

       

      JD

        • 1. Re: Can you copy a layer selection and a path together? (CS5)
          [scott] CommunityMVP

          You can't do what you want.

           

          Paths are independent of layers with the exception of vector masks (or shape layers which are still a vector mask)

           

          Just duplicate the layer and then remove what you dont want. The Path panel won't move or change in anyway.

           

          In fact, you could duplicate the layer, highlight the path by Option-Clicking it in the Paths Panel, then choose Layer > Vector Mask > Make.

           

          Note: don't copy/paste the layer, duplicated it by clicking and dragging it to the new layer icon at the bottom of the Layers Panel or by highlighting the layer and hitting Command-J on the keyboard. Copying and pasting can cause layers to recenter. Duplicating ensures the layer positioning remains the same.

          • 2. Re: Can you copy a layer selection and a path together? (CS5)
            Jd_Johnson8 Community Member

            I guess i already knew there wasn't a way to do what i want - i was afraid that was the case.  the problem is, i often come across a situation where i need to put two products together into one image, and i need their paths as well - otherwise i have to re-outline things when i have put them together in a new file, and that is a pain.

             

            so, i was trying your method and getting really frustrated - Vector Mask was grayed out originally because the layer i was working with was a background layer. (oops!)

             

            ultimately though, your method works very well for what i need.  I end up having to copy the vector mask path, deleting the mask, then pasting it into the existing path to get one clipping path...does that make sense? is there an easy way to remove the vector mask but keep the path?

             

            Thanks for your help!

             

            JD

            • 3. Re: Can you copy a layer selection and a path together? (CS5)
              [scott] CommunityMVP

              If you just want to grab the path from a Vector Mask... Highlight the Vector Mask in the Layers Panel, then look at the Paths Panel. The Paths Panel will show the vector mask path, just click-drag that path to the new Path icon on the botom of the Paths Panel. It'll duplicate the path. You can then remove the Vector Mask entirely and you'll still have that duplicated path (and in the same position as the original path).