Layer Selection problem

Hi

Ok, this could be a embarassibly stupid question but I am really frustrated: How do you turn off the auto layer select for shape layers?

I have a large rectangular shape layer. On top of it, I have a another shape but much smaller in size. I want to select parts of the paths in the top shape layer but every time I try to drag and select using the direct selection tool, the lower rectangular shape layer keeps getting selected. Its very annoying...I have turned off auto select but this does not seem to apply to shape layers.

Am I missing something?
Thanks for your help.

cheers

I'm not sure what the Keyboard shortcut is in Windows, but on my Mac (using CS) if I Command-Ctrl-click a list of the layers shows up allowing me to pick one

Use the Paths palette.

On the PC, it is right click and choose the layer from the drop down list.

The right-click thing is for the Move tool, not the Direct Selection tool.

First, click inside the smaller Shape to select that layer. Then, when you drag, start the drag from either inside the smaller Shape, or outside of the larger Shape.

Or hide the layer with the larger shape...

Ronald

Thanks guys

So far, dragging from the inside is the most comfortable option for me. The paths palette didn't work ... still keeps auto selecting the shape layer below. Hiding the layer also works but its get a bit annoying when you have to hide a couple of layers. So, is there really no setting somewhere to disable auto select of shape layers above or below the layer you are working on? This is very surprising.

But thanks to all who replied.

cheers

If you try locking the layer you don't want to select, it will still select it, and then won't let you do anything with it because it's locked. Boy, that makes a lot of sense :S