Layers added automatically

[deepkent]

How do I stop PSP X7 creating a new layer every time I try to edit a photo?

[Kathy_9]

Which editing tool are you using?

Note that Text and Preset shapes will add a vector layer and that is normal.

Also, Picture Tubes will add a new raster layer for each tube unless you untick the "Create as new raster layer" box on the Tools Option tool-bar.

[deepkent]

Thank you for replying. I thought there were various adjustment tools, but I must have imagined it. The one that always causes the problem is the vibrancy adjustment tool. I don't want extra layers added every time I use it, and they never were in X4.

Thank you again.

[Kathy_9]

That is strange and I was not able to replicate it in X7. When I go to Adjust -> Hue & Saturation -> Vibrancy I do not get a new layer.

The only way I get a new layer is to apply a Vibrancy adjustment layer via Layers -> New Adjustment Layer -> Vibrancy and of course there it is to be expected.

[deepkent]

You are quite right, and I am sorry to have wasted your time. I had created my own toolbar, and added what I thought was "Vibrancy", but instead had added "Add vibrancy layer". I have corrected that, and it now works perfectly.

Thank you so much.

[Kathy_9]

Glad to help. Sometimes you just need to talk it through with someone to figure it out.

[deepkent]

Maybe I should start another thread, but you have been so helpful I thought I might impose on you again. This time I have a peculiar problem with PSP X4 Ultimate. The crop tool is set to "Replace", but when I crop a photo, it produces the cropped version, but also leaves the original on view, with the crop area still marked. So I end up with two photos - one cropped as I want, the other the original picture still marked with a crop outline. Please see a typical result here:

https://deepkent.tonidoid.com/urld5lwyr

(Can't see a way to attach a file to this post)

This now happens whenever I crop something, and it is very frustrating. If you can suggest what I am doing wrong, I should be very grateful. Thank you.

[deepkent]

Perhaps I should start a new thread, but you have been so helpful I thought I might ask you for help on another matter, this time relating to PSP X4 Ultimate. The crop tool is set to "Replace", but whenever I crop a photo it results in the cropped version, which is all I want, but leaves the original, with the crop area still outlined. The attached show what happens when I cropped the larger photo. If you can suggest what I am doing wrong, I should be immensely grateful. Thank you.

[JoeB]

That image does not show you using the crop tool. It show you using the Rectangle Selection tool.

[Kathy_9]

I could be mistaken but it appears that you are using the Selection Tool and not the Crop Tool.

Click for larger view

[hartpaul]

The thing that puzzles me here is that the result is the same as using the crop tool and selecting Crop as New Image yet the ants and the top shows that the selection tool is being used.

I tried to reproduce that result (getting a new image from that selection) and could not work out how? Anyone else able to select a rectangular area and get a new image from that selection?
I can of course promote selection to layer or float selection and then drag the thumb of that from the layer palette onto the workspace, but that is another matter.

[JoeB]

The thing that puzzles me here is that the result is the same as using the crop tool and selecting Crop as New Image yet the ants and the top shows that the selection tool is being used.

I noticed the same thing, but as I don't have X4 I wasn't sure if that version might have had a similar option that would allow a Crop as New Image as well as the regular Image>Crop to Selection so thought I'd wait to hear from those who have X4, as you do. I guess what we need now is a step by step detail from the original poster showing what steps were taken to end up with the image shown in the posted screenshot.

[deepkent]

Thank you all for your replies - and you are all quite right! I am using the selection tool, not the crop tool, and then using Image/Crop to Selection. But are you saying that that cannot produce just a cropped image? Because, in my ignorance, I have been using that combination - selection tool, crop to selection - for something like 10 years, and it is only in the last few weeks that it has resulted in two photos. Thank you again.

[hartpaul]

Thanks for providing the full steps and information. If this had been provided at first perhaps a faster resolution would have resulted.
I am using PSP X4 version 14.3 and I get a single image and not the two the OP does. Same in X7.
So once again knowing the steps I cannot reproduce your problem.

Perhaps after saving your workspace you could do a reset to default by starting the program while holding down the Shift key.

But then I am wondering about the efficiency of your process steps rather than using the crop tool. It seems a bit complex.

Choosing either the rectangular selection tool or the Crop tool uses the same amount of time (unless you had previously used another selection tool)

Drawing the rectangle to be cropped is the same.
Moving the rectangle is the same -right click drag for the selection, left click drag for the crop rectangle .

Adjusting the rectangle larger or smaller is easy with the crop rectangle but you just have to redraw with the selection

producing the finished image is as simple as hitting the return key or clicking the tick with the crop tool, but you have to navigate to Image and then hit crop to selection with the selection rectangle.

Perhaps you might experiment more with the crop tool and experience its advantages as along with moving it, changing its size, you can also rotate it to perhaps align with a horizon at the same time and so do a straighten as well.

[deepkent]

Thank you. I understand that using either the crop tool or the selection tool has the same result, but was curious about why I get this problem with the one (crop) but not the other (selection). Doesn't really matter in the great scheme of things!