Tip for 9/20 - when all else fails...

[angedawn]

In using Photoshop I think that the most important lesson I have ever learned is this:

When something isn't working (like your spot healing tool, or your clone stamp, or just whatever you want to do... if it isn't working...) check these two things:

#1 - are you on the right layer. Many times you are on a different layer than you think, and that makes a problem when you are trying to do something.

and

#2 - do you have anything "selected". Sometimes just a tiny little few pixels are selected, and you don't even know it. Hit Control -D to "dismiss" your selection (not delete it - just dismiss it) and then try to do what you want.

When I am having trouble and I start to think ... why won't this work, 95% of the time it's because of one of these two issues. So next time you are feeling lost and confused, try these two tips and see if that solves your problem! :)

[missusking]

Thanks for the tip, Angela!

I also find that often I've just transformed or moved something and haven't hit the check mark at the top yet, so the whole program refuses to move. It drives me nuts! Maybe there is a way around this, but I haven't found it yet!

[angedawn]

Thank you for adding that... it's always good to watch for the green checkmark to go further! Another good one! :)

[Nevermore]

Can't tell you how often I check everything else before I do this! Really, Ctrl-D should be first line of defence. After I try about ten things and nothing works I usually zoom way way out and there is that darned congo line of dancing ants mocking me in some far corner of the layout. Ants, begone!