Another: why does photoshop do this??

05/19/2013 05:37:34 PM · #1

Ok -- sometimes when I want to put a border on an image, I go to canvas size, and it lets me specify the color of the canvas extension.

Sometimes it won't let me, and it makes the canvas extension blank and I have to go color it.

Why can't I always pick the color of my canvas extension?

Please help! This drives me up the wall... :(

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/19/2013 05:42:08 PM · #2

If your 'base' layer has a lock you can choose the color, otherwise you will have a transparent 'base' layer and you will see the usual grey squares of a transparent layer.

Judi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

05/19/2013 05:42:46 PM · #3

Flatten your image first then extend canvas with the colour of your choice.

05/19/2013 05:46:18 PM · #4

Yet it seems like I used to be able to do it all the time in the past. I'm curious what's different. Because when I flatten the image, I lose all capabilities of changing things.

Although, this is probably a good thing, because too many times I've screwed up badly by continuing to work on the image at 800 pixels, only to find out I can't undo what I've done because I've done past my undo stage.

Hmmm...

I hate it when things force me to do it right. I want flexibility to do it my way!

(thanks guys and gals!)

05/19/2013 05:48:38 PM · #5

Originally posted by vawendy:

I hate it when things force me to do it right. I want flexibility to do it my way!

Nothing should change in your workflow - just check the usual lock of your base layer, that's all :)

05/19/2013 05:50:35 PM · #6

Originally posted by Alexkc:

Originally posted by vawendy:
I hate it when things force me to do it right. I want flexibility to do it my way!

Nothing should change in your workflow - just check the usual lock of your base layer, that's all :)

there's no lock on it...

05/19/2013 05:53:13 PM · #7

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by Alexkc:

Originally posted by vawendy:
I hate it when things force me to do it right. I want flexibility to do it my way!

Nothing should change in your workflow - just check the usual lock of your base layer, that's all :)

there's no lock on it...

When you import a photo there should be a lock on the layer. If you unlock it (you should do it for several reasons) you can lock it once again later and do what you need to create an external border.

05/19/2013 06:09:10 PM · #8

Originally posted by Alexkc:

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by Alexkc:

Originally posted by vawendy:
I hate it when things force me to do it right. I want flexibility to do it my way!

Nothing should change in your workflow - just check the usual lock of your base layer, that's all :)

there's no lock on it...

When you import a photo there should be a lock on the layer. If you unlock it (you should do it for several reasons) you can lock it once again later and do what you need to create an external border.

I had thought there usually was, as well. But there is no lock on the layer, and I hadn't unlocked it...

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

05/19/2013 06:12:20 PM · #9

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by Alexkc:

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by Alexkc:

Originally posted by vawendy:
I hate it when things force me to do it right. I want flexibility to do it my way!

Nothing should change in your workflow - just check the usual lock of your base layer, that's all :)

there's no lock on it...

When you import a photo there should be a lock on the layer. If you unlock it (you should do it for several reasons) you can lock it once again later and do what you need to create an external border.

I had thought there usually was, as well. But there is no lock on the layer, and I hadn't unlocked it...

You opened your photo and you had just one unlocked layer?

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

05/19/2013 06:15:17 PM · #10

Originally posted by vawendy:

Sure there is. Way over on the right side of the background layer will be a lock icon. Drag it to trash and it unlocks and renames itself "Layer 0"

bob350

05/19/2013 07:45:24 PM · #11

I've had the same problem from time to time. Various web blog postings indicate it may have something to do with ACR settings when first importing images. Color option in canvas size dialog requires a background layer. Flattening the file can get there. Maybe convert to smart object can help.

Simple is better for me. A background layer would be a low in the stack pixel layer with a lock icon. But I notice some of my layered files don't have a background layer. Solution found in web searching: select the bottom pixel layer (the one without a lock icon), the go to the Layer menu: Layer->New->Layer from background. Presto, a background layer with the lock icon appears; and canvas size dialog now has color option active again (at least if I have a pixel layer selected).

05/19/2013 08:09:07 PM · #12

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by Alexkc:

Originally posted by vawendy:
I hate it when things force me to do it right. I want flexibility to do it my way!

Nothing should change in your workflow - just check the usual lock of your base layer, that's all :)

there's no lock on it...

Sure there is. Way over on the right side of the background layer will be a lock icon. Drag it to trash and it unlocks and renames itself "Layer 0"

Nope. There isn't. That's what's weird. I didn't unlock it, but it's layer 0.

But the next image I was playing with is background.