Photoshop 6.0.1–Layers relink when moving layer sets

GK
Posted By
Gary_Koellhoffer
Sep 20, 2006
Views
368
Replies
3
Status
Closed
We are woefully behind the times here at work in terms of what Photoshop version was are using, but I have no choice about that. Here’s a question about Photoshop 6.0.1 that I have:

If I copy a layer set (by dragging from one open file to another) from one .psd to another .psd (one that also has layer sets), I have layers from the first set linking themselves to layers in the second set without being told to do so.

Further explanation, for example, if I have Layers 1 and 2 linked in the first layer set, and I have layers 3 and 4 linked in the second set, when I copy that first layer set over to the file with the second layer set, layers 1 and 2 will not only be linked to themselves, but will also link over to layers 3 and 4.)

I am doing this on a bigger scale with more than just four layers with simple names, so it’s not always so obvious that these layers are linking to new ones. I usually discover that after I’ve done some changes to one layer set (like scale or moving) and then realize that other elements in a different layer set have changed.

I can recreate this by creating new documents. Create a new blank document (I used a 5" x 5" RGB 100dpi example). Add a layer set (call it anything you want), add two new layers within that set (call them whatever you want). For this experiment, I simply paintbrushed a random black dot on each layer. Link those two layers together (to each other, not via the layer set link).

Then, create another new document at the same specs, and add a new layer set with two new layers. Link these to layers to each other.

Drag the layer set from the first document into the second document. Click on one of the layers from that first set, which should only be linked to the other layer of that same set. However, every time I try this, I find that it is also linked to the two linked layers from the second set.

I trashed my Photoshop preferences, but I just wonder if this is something that is incorrectly set up in the software. I realize that Photoshop has changed drastically from version 6 to now, but as I said, this is what I have to work with.

Any fixes would be greatly appreciated. Our computers are also underpowered, with just 512 RAM, but I don’t think it’s directly related to that fault. (Windows XP Profession, SP2; Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.80GHz)

Thanks in advance,
Gary
(I’m not really expecting a miracle solution … but it would be nice to know that I’m not imagining this.)

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Y
YrbkMgr
Sep 20, 2006
If I copy a layer set (by dragging from one open file to another) from one .psd to another .psd (one that also has layer sets), I have layers from the first set linking themselves to layers in the second set without being told to do so.

I just tried this on Version 6.0.1 and it doesn’t happen to me. No automatic linking happens after the drag. I even followed your exercise with a new blank image.

So. It *may* be a linking issue. I would suggest that you take screen caps of each step showing your layers palette (print scrn). Post them somewhere like Imageshack.us or anywhere, and tell us the link. Let’s look at it blow by blow.
GK
Gary_Koellhoffer
Sep 21, 2006
Thanks for taking the time to run through the steps to see if you could recreate the problem.

I will post screenshots, but I do not think I will have time today (too many work deadlines). I just wanted to reply to let you know that I saw your response, and appreciate your willingness to help.
GK
Gary_Koellhoffer
Sep 21, 2006
Okay, I was actually able to put some quick screen shots together. Hopefully, I’m using Pixentral correctly.

In the first photo (step #1), I’m just showing the settings I’m using to create a new document. I have varied these settings with no effect on the layer linking results.

< http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1cnopqHmjMfbFYh1kW ZU2f11CYN1Hw>

In the second combination photo, I am showing the two Layers palettes from the two different images I created. In Step #2, I created a new blank set, with two blank layers (allowing Photoshop to auto-name each one). I then painted a dot on each layer just for visual reference. And, using the link icon boxes, I linked layers 1 and 2 together. In Step #3, I created a new layer set, with two blank layers, and I manually named each one so they wouldn’t duplicate the names from the first file. I then painted a dot on each layer for visual reference. And, using the link icon boxes, I linked layers 3 and 4 together.

< http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1bXWdSCxicPoprF4Hn ISGBXhkUK8x60>

In the third combination image, step #4 shows the result of dragging Set 1 from the first image to the second. Both sets are in place within one document (although Layers 1 and 2 renamed themselves to Layers 5 and 6). Step #5 shows the result of clicking once on any of the layers–in this example, Layer 6. Layer 6 should be linked only to Layer 5, but has picked up links to Layers 3 and 4 as well.

< http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1FRTCloj0fA75EePLc prTG3INn2D1>

I didn’t know if you would like to see more screen shots, but I think this captured the story pretty well. Some variables (like the layers renaming themselves between documents, and the layer sets being on "Pass Through") don’t seem to have an effect on the relinking problem. (I tested that by manually naming each layer to prevent the auto renaming, and I also tried the Layer Set as "Normal.")

Please let me know if I can provide anything else. Thanks for the help.

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