Duplicating a selection question

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?

For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye. Then I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does this for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.

Currently the only way I can do this is to create a channel and fill it with white for the first selection. Then move the selection to the other eye and fill that with white in the new channel. Then select from the channel to get marquees around both eyes.

Thanks

Mike

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 08:55:43 -0500, "Demolisher" scribbled:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye. Then I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does this for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.
Currently the only way I can do this is to create a channel and fill it with white for the first selection. Then move the selection to the other eye and fill that with white in the new channel. Then select from the channel to get marquees around both eyes.

CTRL - C
CTRL - V

Simple cut and paste, try reading the manual.

"Voivod" wrote in message

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 08:55:43 -0500, "Demolisher" scribbled:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye.

Then

I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does

this

for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.
Currently the only way I can do this is to create a channel and fill it

with

white for the first selection. Then move the selection to the other eye

and

fill that with white in the new channel. Then select from the channel to

get

marquees around both eyes.

CTRL - C
CTRL - V

or

Ctrl + Alt = duplicate

Ian

Voivod wrote:

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 08:55:43 -0500, "Demolisher" scribbled:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye. Then I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does this for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.
Currently the only way I can do this is to create a channel and fill it with white for the first selection. Then move the selection to the other eye and fill that with white in the new channel. Then select from the channel to get marquees around both eyes.

CTRL - C
CTRL - V

Simple cut and paste, try reading the manual.

Am i right in thinking he wants to know how to duplicate the selection ONLY? You're way would mean he copys the image data as well. As far as I know, you cannot copy an 'empty' selection.
I would be interested to know if anyone does know the answer to this...

Re-read the question. I want to copy the selection, not the image data being selected. I want to duplicate the selected circle and have two selected circles.

"Voivod" wrote in message

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 08:55:43 -0500, "Demolisher" scribbled:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye.

Then

I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does

this

for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.
Currently the only way I can do this is to create a channel and fill it

with

white for the first selection. Then move the selection to the other eye

and

fill that with white in the new channel. Then select from the channel to

get

marquees around both eyes.

CTRL - C
CTRL - V

Simple cut and paste, try reading the manual.

"MArtin Chiselwitt" wrote in message

Voivod wrote:

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 08:55:43 -0500, "Demolisher" scribbled:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye.

Then

I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does

this

for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.
Currently the only way I can do this is to create a channel and fill it

with

white for the first selection. Then move the selection to the other eye

and

fill that with white in the new channel. Then select from the channel to

get

marquees around both eyes.

CTRL - C
CTRL - V

Simple cut and paste, try reading the manual.

Am i right in thinking he wants to know how to duplicate the selection ONLY? You're way would mean he copys the image data as well. As far as I know, you cannot copy an 'empty' selection.
I would be interested to know if anyone does know the answer to this...

Well you could -

Switch to channels > Make your selection > Click save selection as channel > Make sure the RGB and Alpha 1 channels are visible > Ctrl + move the selection > Ctrl + click the Alpha 1 channel > click back on Layer.

Ian

"MArtin Chiselwitt" wrote in message

Voivod wrote:

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 08:55:43 -0500, "Demolisher" scribbled:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye. Then I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does this for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.

Currently the only way I can do this is to create a channel and fill it with white for the first selection. Then move the selection to the other eye and fill that with white in the new channel. Then select from the channel to get marquees around both eyes.

CTRL - C
CTRL - V

Simple cut and paste, try reading the manual.

Am i right in thinking he wants to know how to duplicate the selection ONLY? You're way would mean he copys the image data as well. As far as I know, you cannot copy an 'empty' selection.
I would be interested to know if anyone does know the answer to this...

Yes, it works. If you make the selection with the selection tool then press CTRL C then CTRL V it makes a new layer of the selected area. You then select the move tool and put that layer where you want it.

You can also right mouse click and select Layer via Copy

--
"Your money does not cause my poverty. Refusal to believe this is at the bottom of most bad economic thinking." --P. J. O'Rourke http://www.bobhatch.com

But that wasn't the question! I want to copy the selection marquee and move that to a different area, not image data.

"Bob Hatch" wrote in message

"MArtin Chiselwitt" wrote in message

Voivod wrote:

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 08:55:43 -0500, "Demolisher" scribbled:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye. Then I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does this for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.

Currently the only way I can do this is to create a channel and fill it with white for the first selection. Then move the selection to the other eye and fill that with white in the new channel. Then select from the channel to get marquees around both eyes.

CTRL - C
CTRL - V

Simple cut and paste, try reading the manual.

Am i right in thinking he wants to know how to duplicate the selection ONLY? You're way would mean he copys the image data as well. As far as I know, you cannot copy an 'empty' selection.
I would be interested to know if anyone does know the answer to this...

Yes, it works. If you make the selection with the selection tool then

press

CTRL C then CTRL V it makes a new layer of the selected area. You then select the move tool and put that layer where you want it.
You can also right mouse click and select Layer via Copy

--
"Your money does not cause my poverty. Refusal to believe this is at the bottom of most bad economic thinking." --P. J. O'Rourke http://www.bobhatch.com

"Ian" wrote in message

Well you could -

Switch to channels > Make your selection > Click save selection as channel
Make sure the RGB and Alpha 1 channels are visible > Ctrl + move the selection > Ctrl + click the Alpha 1 channel > click back on Layer.
Ian

Yes this is a slight improvement on what I do, but still, very many steps. There must be an easier way that doesn't involve the creation of channels.

Thanks for the effort,

Mike

Demolisher wrote:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye. Then I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does this for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.
Currently the only way I can do this is to create a channel and fill it with white for the first selection. Then move the selection to the other eye and fill that with white in the new channel. Then select from the channel to get marquees around both eyes.

If I understand you correctly, you want to duplicate the 'marching ants' themselves, not the pixels they select? If you hold the shift key, you can make another selection without the first one getting lost. That way you can select both eyes at once.

--
Johan W. Elzenga johan<<at>>johanfoto.nl Editor / Photographer http://www.johanfoto.nl/

In news:Demolisher typed:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye. Then I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does this for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.

Use the pen or shape tool to draw your first selection (depress "create new work path" in the task bar). When done, press CTRL C followed by CTRL V, move the copied shape to the other location, right click and choose "Make Selection..." from the drop down menu.

--
www.odysea.ca

"Johan W. Elzenga" wrote in message

Demolisher wrote:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye.

Then

I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does

this

for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.
Currently the only way I can do this is to create a channel and fill it

with

white for the first selection. Then move the selection to the other eye

and

fill that with white in the new channel. Then select from the channel to

get

marquees around both eyes.

If I understand you correctly, you want to duplicate the 'marching ants' themselves, not the pixels they select? If you hold the shift key, you can make another selection without the first one getting lost. That way you can select both eyes at once.

--
Johan W. Elzenga johan<<at>>johanfoto.nl Editor / Photographer http://www.johanfoto.nl/

Yes, I want to copy the selection itself. No, I do not want to add to the selection, since the next time I select, manually, I can make a selection that is not exactly the same as the first. The idea is to create an identical copy of the existing selection without chance of human error.

"save selection" would do it and reload selection. But that's not a nice as a key combo would be.

Demolisher wrote:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye. Then I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does this for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.
Currently the only way I can do this is to create a channel and fill it with white for the first selection. Then move the selection to the other eye and fill that with white in the new channel. Then select from the channel to get marquees around both eyes.

Thanks

Mike

--
Ric Seyler

"Deco_time" wrote in message

In news:Demolisher typed:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye. Then I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does this for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.

Use the pen or shape tool to draw your first selection (depress "create new work path" in the task bar). When done, press CTRL C followed by CTRL V, move the copied shape to the other location, right click and choose "Make Selection..." from the drop down menu.

Unfortunatelly, this is even more work than using a channel to do this, at least in my opinion. I am looking for a shortcut.

Mike

It seems many people were confused with what I am trying to do, so let me rephrase.

- Using the circular/elliptical marquee I select a circle or ellipse. - Now, with any selection tool in use, I can move the marquee around by clicking within the selected circle/ellipse and dragging the marquee to a different location.
- I want to move the marquee as described in the previous step to a new location
- However, I also want the original marquee to remain, so in the end I have two circular or elliptic marquees

Mike

"RicSeyler" wrote in message

"save selection" would do it and reload selection. But that's not a nice as a key combo would be.

Would reloading overwrite the current selection?

In news:MArtin Chiselwitt typed:

I have a feeling, after having played in Photoshop for a while this afternoon, that this cannot be done. It seems it is not possible to copy an 'empty selection' in Photoshop. So, you have to go with one of the more contrived routes suggested in earlier posts. Actually, the paths idea is not so much hard work and seems to me the easier of the options that have been suggested so far.
Good Luck....

Years ago, I realized that this could not be done using the regular marquee tools, although that might have changed on PS latest version (I'm a bit behind by a few version numbers); That's when I started using path tools to make selections and found how incredibly versatile they were compared to marquee, so much so that I don't even use marquee anymore save of the magnetic one and that's rare. The only extra step is the right click to get to the selection dialog, but since a feather often as to be specified I don't even consider it an extra step. I'm surprised the op doesn't like this.

--
www.odysea.ca

Demolisher wrote:

It seems many people were confused with what I am trying to do, so let me rephrase.

- Using the circular/elliptical marquee I select a circle or ellipse. - Now, with any selection tool in use, I can move the marquee around by clicking within the selected circle/ellipse and dragging the marquee to a different location.
- I want to move the marquee as described in the previous step to a new location
- However, I also want the original marquee to remain, so in the end I have two circular or elliptic marquees

Mike

I have a feeling, after having played in Photoshop for a while this afternoon, that this cannot be done. It seems it is not possible to copy an 'empty selection' in Photoshop. So, you have to go with one of the more contrived routes suggested in earlier posts. Actually, the paths idea is not so much hard work and seems to me the easier of the options that have been suggested so far.
Good Luck....

Demolisher wrote:

Yes, I want to copy the selection itself. No, I do not want to add to the selection, since the next time I select, manually, I can make a selection that is not exactly the same as the first. The idea is to create an identical copy of the existing selection without chance of human error.

In that case "Save selection" is the way to go.
1. Make the first selection.
2. Choose 'Save selection" and give it a name.
3. Move the marching ants to the second location.
4. Choose "Load Selection" and select "Add to selection". Now you have two identical selected areas.

--
Johan W. Elzenga johan<<at>>johanfoto.nl Editor / Photographer http://www.johanfoto.nl/

"Demolisher" wrote:

"RicSeyler" wrote in message

"save selection" would do it and reload selection. But that's not a nice as a key combo would be.

Would reloading overwrite the current selection?

No, not if you select "Add to Selection" from the dialog box when you load the saved selection. Ric's solution is the easiest. -------------------------------
Tom

Unsolicited advertisements cheerfully ignored.

In article <unTIc.363$ says...

Voivod wrote:

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 08:55:43 -0500, "Demolisher" scribbled:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye.

Then

I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does this for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.
Currently the only way I can do this is to create a channel and fill it

with

white for the first selection. Then move the selection to the other eye and fill that with white in the new channel. Then select from the channel to

get

marquees around both eyes.

CTRL - C
CTRL - V

Simple cut and paste, try reading the manual.

Am i right in thinking he wants to know how to duplicate the selection ONLY? You're way would mean he copys the image data as well. As far as I know, you cannot copy an 'empty' selection.
I would be interested to know if anyone does know the answer to this...

Make the first Selection. Click QuickMask. Load Selection>QuickMask, and then using one of the allowable Tools (Magic Wand will work), drag the now active Selection into place, and hit Delete key. This will delete that area of the moved Selection in QM. Change out of QM and Save>Selection.

Maybe some other variations that would be quicker, but they don't come to my mind right now.

Hunt

In article <fiXIc.584$ says...

Demolisher wrote:

It seems many people were confused with what I am trying to do, so let me rephrase.

- Using the circular/elliptical marquee I select a circle or ellipse. - Now, with any selection tool in use, I can move the marquee around by clicking within the selected circle/ellipse and dragging the marquee to a different location.
- I want to move the marquee as described in the previous step to a new location
- However, I also want the original marquee to remain, so in the end I have two circular or elliptic marquees

Mike

I have a feeling, after having played in Photoshop for a while this afternoon, that this cannot be done. It seems it is not possible to copy an 'empty selection' in Photoshop. So, you have to go with one of the more contrived routes suggested in earlier posts. Actually, the paths idea is not so much hard work and seems to me the easier of the options that have been suggested so far.
Good Luck....

Once the Selection is Saved, it can then be copied using the assigned Alpha Channel. When loaded, this Alpha Channel is the Selection.

Hunt

"Johan W. Elzenga" wrote in message

Demolisher wrote:

Yes, I want to copy the selection itself. No, I do not want to add to

the

selection, since the next time I select, manually, I can make a

selection

that is not exactly the same as the first. The idea is to create an identical copy of the existing selection without chance of human error.

In that case "Save selection" is the way to go.
1. Make the first selection.
2. Choose 'Save selection" and give it a name.
3. Move the marching ants to the second location.
4. Choose "Load Selection" and select "Add to selection". Now you have two identical selected areas.

And we have a winner

"Demolisher" wrote in message

It seems many people were confused with what I am trying to do, so let me rephrase.

- Using the circular/elliptical marquee I select a circle or ellipse. - Now, with any selection tool in use, I can move the marquee around by clicking within the selected circle/ellipse and dragging the marquee to a different location.
- I want to move the marquee as described in the previous step to a new location
- However, I also want the original marquee to remain, so in the end I have two circular or elliptic marquees

Mike

Why, what is the purpose? There may be additional ways to do the job without duplicating the selection.
--
"Your money does not cause my poverty. Refusal to believe this is at the bottom of most bad economic thinking." --P. J. O'Rourke http://www.bobhatch.com

Deco_time wrote:

In news:MArtin Chiselwitt typed:

I have a feeling, after having played in Photoshop for a while this afternoon, that this cannot be done. It seems it is not possible to copy an 'empty selection' in Photoshop. So, you have to go with one of the more contrived routes suggested in earlier posts. Actually, the paths idea is not so much hard work and seems to me the easier of the options that have been suggested so far.
Good Luck....

Years ago, I realized that this could not be done using the regular marquee tools, although that might have changed on PS latest version (I'm a bit behind by a few version numbers); That's when I started using path tools to make selections and found how incredibly versatile they were compared to marquee, so much so that I don't even use marquee anymore save of the magnetic one and that's rare. The only extra step is the right click to get to the selection dialog, but since a feather often as to be specified I don't even consider it an extra step. I'm surprised the op doesn't like this.

I agree that using Paths is the easiest and it can be easier still. Just make your Path (or use the Shape tool set to Paths option) and Ctrl-Alt drag it just as though it were a pixel object. It will duplicate. Then Ctrl-Enter to turn the paths into a selection.

--
Comic book sketches and artwork:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/edjh.html
Comics art for sale:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/batsale.html

"Hunt" wrote in message

In article <unTIc.363$ says...

Voivod wrote:

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 08:55:43 -0500, "Demolisher" scribbled:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye.

Then

I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does

this

for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.
Currently the only way I can do this is to create a channel and fill it

with

white for the first selection. Then move the selection to the other eye

and

fill that with white in the new channel. Then select from the channel

to

get

marquees around both eyes.

CTRL - C
CTRL - V

Simple cut and paste, try reading the manual.

Am i right in thinking he wants to know how to duplicate the selection ONLY? You're way would mean he copys the image data as well. As far as I know, you cannot copy an 'empty' selection.
I would be interested to know if anyone does know the answer to this...

Make the first Selection. Click QuickMask. Load Selection>QuickMask, and

then

using one of the allowable Tools (Magic Wand will work), drag the now

active

Selection into place, and hit Delete key. This will delete that area of

the

moved Selection in QM. Change out of QM and Save>Selection.
Maybe some other variations that would be quicker, but they don't come to

my

mind right now.

Hunt

See what Johan Elzenga wrote. Very easy.

"Bob Hatch" wrote in message

"Demolisher" wrote in message

It seems many people were confused with what I am trying to do, so let me rephrase.

- Using the circular/elliptical marquee I select a circle or ellipse. - Now, with any selection tool in use, I can move the marquee around by clicking within the selected circle/ellipse and dragging the marquee to a different location.
- I want to move the marquee as described in the previous step to a new location
- However, I also want the original marquee to remain, so in the end I have two circular or elliptic marquees

Mike

Why, what is the purpose? There may be additional ways to do the job

without

duplicating the selection.
--
"Your money does not cause my poverty. Refusal to believe this is at the bottom of most bad economic thinking." --P. J. O'Rourke http://www.bobhatch.com

I don't think Why is interesting anymore. It's How. :)

You can move a selection by choosing one of the selection tools. Say you make a selection with the lasso tool, if you change to the rectangular marquee tool and hold the cursor over the selection it will allow you to move the selection. (The cursor changes into a small arrow tip with a small sample of the selection) If you start out with the rectangular marquee tool or the magic wand tool to make the selection, then just hold the cursor over the selection and it will allow you to move the selection.

"Demolisher" ...

"RicSeyler" wrote in message

"save selection" would do it and reload selection. But that's not a nice as a key combo would be.

Would reloading overwrite the current selection?

I don't think Why is interesting anymore. It's How. :)

Very true! And , the solution seems to be very much a matter of taste. There are many reasons why I use the path method. And, personally, I find that i can get to the goal of making my selections much quicker than if I used 'Save selection' that 'Hunt' espouses... But, as I say, it's a matter of taste and the workflow you are happy with. :)

In news:edjh typed:

I agree that using Paths is the easiest and it can be easier still. Just make your Path (or use the Shape tool set to Paths option) and Ctrl-Alt drag it just as though it were a pixel object. It will duplicate. Then Ctrl-Enter to turn the paths into a selection.

That is fast, I like it.
Thank's.

--
www.odysea.ca

"Voivod" wrote in message

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 08:55:43 -0500, "Demolisher" scribbled:

Is there any easy way to duplicate a selection in Photoshop CS?
For example, I use the circular marquee to select the iris of one eye.

Then

I want to drag and copy the selection (similar to how the alt key does

this

for image data when using the move tool) to the other eye.
Currently the only way I can do this is to create a channel and fill it

with

white for the first selection. Then move the selection to the other eye

and

fill that with white in the new channel. Then select from the channel to

get

marquees around both eyes.

CTRL - C
CTRL - V

Simple cut and paste, try reading the manual.

Duh! Try to understand the question before you reply - or not - you're an ignorant irrelevance anyway...

Kleeeee