Problem with layer editing in Photoshop

[kosta]

Hello all,

I just installed Photoshop 7 (not for the first time!), and I get this message every time I try to edit an object:

"Could not use the 'name of the tool' because the content of the layer is not directly editable"

Do you happen to know what could be the problem and how to solve it?

Thanks in advance

Kosta

[Cello]

Hi kosta - this could be for a number of reasons. One that comes to mind is that if the layer was text and then was subsequently rasterized, it will no longer be editable with the text tool. Also some tools (that are layer orientated) won't work with the backrgound layer...

Probably need to know exactly what is in the layer you're working on, what you're trying to do with it and perhaps we can help more :)

[kosta]

Thank you for your post, Cello

What I exactly did was:

-opened a new document
-drew a rectangle (it was in a new layer)
-tried to apply color to it and failed (paint bucket tool), got the message

I tried some other things and got the same message.

Hope this is enough info for you now.


p.s. my sister plays cello :)

[Cello]

It is clearer now!

When you draw a rectangle you have to edit the shape part of the layer.

Best to select the colours you want to use first, then draw the rectangle ;) YOu can change it in the layer styles palette later if you want. Alternatively you could rasterize the layer after you've drawn the rectangle (right-click on the layer in question) and then use the magic wand to select the colour of the rectangle and change the colour using the tools palette.

Hope this makes sense :)

ps excellent! Hope she enjoys it :)

[mlk]

basically, you're trying to do bitmap (pixel) effects (such as blurs, painting...) on vector shapes - it won't work. As cello said, make a new layer, choose the shape tool and check your options - you'll normally see 3 options: draw a shape, draw a filled shape, draw a bitmap shape ... check the last one.. The disadvantage of that last option is that you won't be able to resize your rectangle without losing some quality/details...

[kosta]

Thank you guys, it's working now :)