Editing Text in Layers

[LindaPSP]

I have a project going where I'm putting text on a vector layer amid multiple layers. At some point, my Vector layer with text turns into a "Promoted Layer" and I lose the ability to edit the characteristics of the text. So I delete the Promoted Layer and start again with a new vector layer. I don't what I'm doing that causes it to leave the vector mode. How can I get my vector layer to stay as a vector layer? I'd like to work on other layers and then come back to the vector layer and edit the text further. Any help appreciated. This may be an easy fix but I just don't know what it is

[LeviFiction]

Personally I think this is hard to say exactly what happens.

A promoted layer is the result of a selection. So to start off a selection must be involved somewhere.

Let's start with what I think it is. I don't think you're creating a vector from the text. On the text tool options bar there is a drop-down box labeled "Create as" you want to make sure this is set to "Vector" and not "Floating" or "Selection." I think in older versions of PSP "Floating" might be replaced with "Raster."

If you have "Create as" set to "Floating" it'll create a raster version of the text, and select it. Which creates a sort of floating selection. Then as you edit, if you're not aware this has happened, it will take that floating selection and promote it to a new layer instead.

This is the easiest and most likely reason.

I say it's the most likely reason because if you were truly creating it as a vector and not just assuming it was a vector, then the vector layer itself wouldn't change to anything. I'm probably not saying that right.

A vector layer cannot be converted to a promoted selection layer. A promoted selection layer can be created from a vector layer, but the vector layer will remain a vector layer. The promoted selection layer will simply appear on top of the vector layer.

It should be noted that while you're creating the text it will always show up as being in a vector layer. It's once you've hit the checkmark and accepted your changes that the text is converted to a selection or a floating selection.

So to give you an example, let's say that you make a new text vector layer. Then with that layer selected you hit Selections -> From Vector Object.

This creates a selection based on your text.

Then you paint on top of the text. It'll promote the selection to a "Promoted selection" layer, but the original vector layer will still exist as well.
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From what you tell us where the vector layer disappears I have to assume one of two things. Either: 1) You are creating your text as a "floating" selection and not as a vector as you assume or 2) You're accidentally deleting the vector layer after you edit a selection.

In both cases the only solution is to be careful. Make sure that "Create As" is set to vector. If it is, then as you edit you need to make sure that the layer you have selected in the layers dialog is the one you intend to edit. A lot of mistakes have been made by people for years by forgetting to select the appropriate layer before making edits.

[Forriner]

Might there be something under menu File/Preferences/General program preferences/Auto Action... ?
In X4, I see 'Converts vector layer to raster layer' as a 'prompt' option but maybe it's 'Always' (without warning) on your PC? This happens, for example, if you try to paint on a vector layer.
Promoting selections to layers is by default 'Always' done (without warning).
You could perhaps switch some 'convert' options from 'always' to 'prompt' and see when are you prompted.

[LindaPSP]

LeviFiction--My "Create As" was set to "Floating." I'll start there with it set to Vector and see how far I get

Forriner--I'm checking my preferences and Convert Vector to Raster requires a prompt for me to approve. I'll look further into the Auto Actions

[LindaPSP]

"Create As" set to "floating" was the problem. Last night I worked on an image with 10 vector layers created as "vector" and they stayed vector through multiple edits.