Help with Text layers & other questions please

Hello everyone,

I'm just starting with Photoshop 7, and have a question about type layers.

I have several large images that I'm going to be adding a bunch of text to. Some of the text is duplicated frequently across the images. I'm trying to have several different "side" images containing the text so that I can cut and paste the text from the smaller images onto the larger image. The problem I'm having is that the text is white text over black text with a small offset, to create a shadowed effect. It needs to be this way, not a "drop shadow" type effect. If I try to merge the 2 text layers together, it loses its status as a text layer - and I need to be able to keep it a text layer in the big image. Is there a way to merge these text layers together and still keep them text layers?

Second, is there a way to easily paste an image into Photoshop as a new image? I'm used to paint shop pro, where all you have to do is right click anywhere in your workspace and hit paste as new image. In Photoshop I'm having to do File-->New-->Ok-->edit--->paste - I'm sure there's an easier way to do this.

Also, is there a way to make it default to select the entire image for a clipboard copy if you click on the title bar of an image? That may not be clear - for example, I may have 40 small images, and I need to copy them onto a larger one. In Paint Shop Pro, I'm used to just doing a CTRL-C on a small image, then switch over to the image, then CTRL-E to copy it in there. In Photoshop, I'm having to click on the title bar, edit-->select all first to get the same effect.

Thanks for any help!

Rather than merging the text layers, wich combine them in layer, try to link them, they will still br uin their own layer but since they will be linked they will move togrther as one layer.

Translation: Rather than merging the text layers, which combines the two layers, try to link them. They will still be in their own layer, but, since they will be linked, they will move togrther as one layer.

About the pasting clipboard items in as a new image, you can just do CTRL+N, ENTER (Photoshop automatically sets the image size to the dimensions of the clipboard item), CTRL+V.

The problem about copy/pasting images to another window is fairly easy. In Photoshop, it's best to rely on keyboard shortcuts for everything (Selecting tools in the Toolbox, Menu items, etc.) In your case, the solution is obvious, since Photoshop takes the already existing Windows/Mac copy-paste keyboard shortcuts (CTRL+C and CTRL+V, not sure on the Mac). Just select the window where the initial image you want to copy, hit CTRL+A, CTRL+C and click on the window where you want to paste it into and hit CTRL+V. If you're using the Edit->Select All method, obviously it's a pain in the ass.

Most of these commands are default keyboard shortcuts. If you're using the Menu for simple tasks like Copy and Paste or using the mouse, then you need to exercise the ability to take advantage of the shortcuts. Once you get the hang of it all, Photoshop will prove to you that it is the powerful image editing software on the market.

Thanks for the help everyone.

I think I'm getting closer - I actually have a total of 3 layers that are linked - 2 text layers and an image in another layer that I need to be able to preserve when copied into another image. I linked them, and made them into a set. How do I copy a layer set and paste it into a new image? If I do a copy merged it ruins the type layers, and if I do a select all / copy it just copies the blank background.

Thanks!

Control-Click (Right-click on PC) on the Layer Set icon and slide down to "Duplicate Layer Set..." Here you will be presented with a modal dialogue that will allow you to set a destination document for the copied set.

Originally posted by Sea Dragon
if I do a select all / copy it just copies the blank background.

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...maybe you'd want to select the layer you want to copy first...

Originally posted by !mo0chan!
...maybe you'd want to select the layer you want to copy first...

Not necessary, if he's got those two or three layers gathered into a Layer Set.

Between you and I, moOchan, he should have all the info he needs to do what he explained.

I agreeee. :(