Photoshop questions

I have a couple of questions on Photoshop. I am sure the answers are somewhere in Photoshop’s help file and manual but, I sure couldn’t find them.

1. Over the weekend I was working on some textures. I have my brushes set to show the actual pixel size. Suddenly, all I had were cross hairs. I didn’t recall doing anything to change it. I checked in Properties/Options and sure enough, it was set to show the brush size.

I never could get it to go back to where it was, i.e., showing the size of the brush with a circle. THEN, I exited Photoshop and restarted and, you guessed it, it was working correctly.

What did I do and how can I make sure it doesn’t do that again?

2. Is there anyway to save alpha channels so you can reuse them. I am working on a bunch of textures for a house I am building. Sometimes, I want a window to be clear, then a door. They are on the same wallpaper background. I have to redo the alpha channels each time. Can I somehow move them to layers or some other way to save them, when not used.

Thanks!

Jen

I've seen the first thing you're describing, but I'm not quite sure what causes it. I think it's something about drawing on channels that you've created from a selection, that's certainly when I notice it most often.

For the second, it's easy. Select your channel. Cmd-A, Cmd-C make a new LAYER, cmd-V and off you go.

I'm guessing the cntl variants for wintel users also work.

You probably accidentally hit your caps lock key. That'll toggle from crosshairs to the circle.

Thank you Eloise and Song for your replies. I was modifying my alpha channel when the brush thingie happened. Eloise, do you know how to clear it, without restarting Photoshop?

I tried the C&P on the alpha channel, it worked like a charm. I can’t believe I didn’t think to try that. I was trying to drag it to the layer’s list.

Jen

Hi Jen!

Song is right. It's the Caps Lock that toggles the "precise" and "brush" cursors. Next time it happens, just tap the Caps Lock.

Hope this helps!

Robin

Wow... I had no idea that worked. I regularly hit caps lock because my idiot-brand keyboard came without a caps lock light. Indentation for it, no light.

There is an option in preferences or somesuch to set the brush display, but... wow, caps lock? *beats keyboard against the wall*

Join the good fight. http://www.anticapslock.com/