The selected area is empty message

I select an area copy it and paste it into somewhere else in the picture, whenever I select a different area and try to do the same it always says the selected is empty, even though I know it is not and if I were to go back to the other area that it worked once for, it would also say the same message. How do I get round this?

"Jul" wrote in message

I select an area copy it and paste it into somewhere else in the picture, whenever I select a different area and try to do the same it always says the selected is empty, even though I know it is not and if I were to go back to the other area that it worked once for, it would also say the same message. How do I get round this?

When you copy paste a selection, PS puts that copied selection on a new layer. So if you want to copy something else, you'll have to select the original layer in the layers palette. But maybe it's wise to learn about layers first?

I select an area copy it and paste it into somewhere else in the picture, whenever I select a different area and try to do the same it always says the selected is empty...

Correct. that is because the selected area is empty.

You believe it's not empty, because you can see picture information there. However, if you open the Layers palette, you will see that you are in a layer--and yes, that part of the layer you are in is empty.

--
Art, literature, shareware, polyamory, kink, and more:
http://www.xeromag.com/franklin.html

Also if you merge the layers the selection will copy.
But, all the layers will be combined, so make sure that is what you want before you do it.

"Tacit" wrote in message

I select an area copy it and paste it into somewhere else in the picture, whenever I select a different area and try to do the same it always says the selected is empty...

Correct. that is because the selected area is empty.

You believe it's not empty, because you can see picture information there. However, if you open the Layers palette, you will see that you are in a layer--and yes, that part of the layer you are in is empty.

--
Art, literature, shareware, polyamory, kink, and more:
http://www.xeromag.com/franklin.html

"Jul" wrote in message

I select an area copy it and paste it into somewhere else in the picture, whenever I select a different area and try to do the same it always says the selected is empty, even though I know it is not and if I were to go back to the other area that it worked once for, it would also say the same message. How do I get round this?

Photoshop is doing you a big favor. You were in a layer without content. It told you so.