How to select a whole layer ?

[LuigiPVL]

Hi
I'm currently learning how to use PSP and I really enjoy it. I was a Photoshop user (which is also very good).
Please, I need help for someting you'll probably think is basic : I don't know how to select all the pixels of a raster layer. Could you help me for that, please ?
(with Phoshop, the keyboard shortcut is CTRL + Click)

Have a nice day

Luigi

[Kathy_9]

Hi Luigi and welcome to the forum.

With the layer in question active Ctrl+A will select all.

[migf1]

Hello,

when the layer is mostly transparent, then Ctrl+click in Ps selects only the non-transparent part of the layer. In PSP you can do that with 3 shortcuts. First Ctrl+A as Kathy already suggested (which selects the whole canvas) then Ctrl+F to make the non-transparent part of the layer a floating selection (it will appear as a new layer with locked transparency), and finally Ctrl+Shift+F to de-float the selection (the temporary floating-selection layer will go away).

These commands are also available in the Selections menu: https://gyazo.com/91783636295ce55622ce5aff9334fbb4

[LeviFiction]

If you're attempting to select the non-transparent parts I have a slight variation on those instructions. Instead of de-floating. Delete the layer. The reason for this is because any transparent pixels will double-up and become more opaque. The first time is not a big deal but if you do it multiple times the semi-transparent areas will just get more and more opaque. Deleting the layer rather than de-floating prevents this issue.

Also if you convert it to a script you can do all of this with a single shortcut key.

Another option you can use, if you want, is to use the magic wand tool set to "All Opaque" Match Mode. Then click on any opaque area and it'll select all of the opaque pixels in the layer. Just make sure "Contiguous" and "Use all layers" are unchecked.

[hartpaul]

It would also help to let us know what you are trying to do once you have selected all the pixels in a layer (the whole layer) .
If you are wanting to copy the whole layer and paste it on another layer or as a new image then you do not even have to do the select all part (Control A).
Just right click the title and choose copy and PSP assumes you want to select all and copy it.

[LuigiPVL]

Great !
Thank you Kathy_9, migf1, LeviFiction and hartpaul : each of you have suggested something that will be really useful for me. What a great welcome I had !

[migf1]

You are very welcome Luigi!

If you're attempting to select the non-transparent parts I have a slight variation on those instructions. Instead of de-floating. Delete the layer. The reason for this is because any transparent pixels will double-up and become more opaque. The first time is not a big deal but if you do it multiple times the semi-transparent areas will just get more and more opaque. Deleting the layer rather than de-floating prevents this issue.
...

That's a great tip Levi (yet another thing I wasn't aware of), thank you very much!

On a somewhat relevant note, does floating (or any selection based on opacity) have any transparency limits? I know that Ps Ctrl+click will show marching-ants only around items being equal or greater than 50% opacity, though I think it does actually select the lower opacity pixels as well.