Matching edges automatically up when adding a new layer?

[Clutch Cargo]

Let's say I have a photo that is 1024 x 1024 pixels. Now when I add an additional image that is also 1024x1024 it creates a new layer. That's fine. I usually perform this by just dragging an image from a file using something like MS Explorer and just drop it on top of the current layer.

But when I do this I would like the image borders (the edges), need to match up exactly between layers. Right now it seems to be a "hit-n-miss". It usually is off by 1 pixel and I have to manually adjust the corners to line up exactly. That's ok for now but I plan to batch process 1,000's of these down the road which require exact placement.

Is there a way to match up image layers automatically when one adds a new layer?

Thx

Clutch

 

[ibclare]

Yes, Select>all (ctl/cmd + A), then edit>copy (ctl/cmd + C), then edit>paste (ctl/cmd + V)

 

[MrToM]

I usually perform this by just dragging an image from a file using something like MS Explorer and just drop it on top of the current layer.
But when I do this I would like the image borders (the edges), need to match up exactly between layers.

I couldn't find a way to drop anything on a layer but when I drag and drop a similar dimensioned image file from MS Explorer onto the active document it centres itself automatically, in fact its pretty difficult to get them misaligned to be honest.
I've tried this in in both CS6 and CC.

I have 'Snaps' turned on and set to snap to 'All'....do you?

Is there a way to match up image layers automatically when one adds a new layer?

Well, you don't need to really, a new layer will always be the same size and in the same position as all the other layers.

I'm not sure what it is you are [not] doing.

If you were dragging from one tab, (or window), to another I could understand it but as you are dragging from something like MS Explorer, (whatever that means), I dunno.

Maybe its because you are not using MS Explorer that you have the problem?
Have you tried dragging from MS Explorer?

Regards.
MrTom.

 

[Clutch Cargo]

Hey guys, thx for the quick replies.

For Mr. Tom, yes that is what I meant was drag-n-dropping. Couple of updates. I did create a new test "project" where the size was 1024 x 1024. So I dragged and dropped several other 1024 images and sure enough they happen to line up perfectly. My project has a size of 7990 x 7750px (and each image will be exactly that size) so now I am wondering if PS may have issues if the size is not square? Each image is approximately 180MB, of aerial imagery.

The other thing I noticed is that I clicked on all the snap options possible but the 'ALL' is greyed out and I cannot select that? Oh, and I did try it with MS Explorer. Same result. Now I am thinking maybe as the project increases in size with each new layer the memory cannot keep up or something as each project can easily get up to 1.5 -2GB.



For ibclare - not sure I understand your commands or what I mean is what they would do? Is that after I load all my layers, then use those commands to line up each image? If so, that would not work. As I add each layer they need to be aligned from the get go.

 

[MrToM]

...so now I am wondering if PS may have issues if the size is not square?

I tried it with a rectangular image and it was fine.

The other thing I noticed is that I clicked on all the snap options possible but the 'ALL' is greyed out and I cannot select that?

Yeah that's right, when every option is checked there is no need for an 'All' option. If you un-check any one of the options the 'All' will become available again.


The only other thing I can suggest is to open 2 images in PS, each in its own tab. You can do this from File > Open and select at least 2 images......at that size you may struggle to get more I dunno, if you've enough RAM you may be able to open more.

Have the 'Base' image in the first tab, you can drag the tabs to re-order them if you need to.

Set the second image as active, in other words click its tab.

Select the 'Move Tool'. Now click on the image and drag it ONTO the first tab......wait until it opens......hold down SHIFT and drop it onto the document.
It should align exactly with the 'Base' image and be on its own layer.

What SHIFT does is to 'center' the layer when you drop it.....as the layer is exactly the same size it'll just fit straight in.

This should work without any trouble although whether its practical or not for your situation I dunno.

Regards.
MrTom.

 

[ibclare]

Many thoughts on this.

 

[Clutch Cargo]

ibclare wrote

"I don't get it guys. When you drag and drop a layer from one psd to another, it will not necessarily be centered exactly like the other, for instance, if it is two photos of the exact same dimension. OTOH, if you copy and paste, they will be positioned exactly. That is pretty basic. What's the buzz?"

I am not attempting to copy a layer from one PSD to another. I am trying to copy an image from a folder and add it to the project. That is when it does not line ip. Copy/Paste does not appear to work in this fashion. Now I just tried FILE/PLACE which I would think is the proper way to add an additional image which I assume is the command I would use when automating the procedure. But as you can see it is still misaligned.

 

[IamSam]

If the two images are the same size and they are both in the same document.

Have you tried selecting the area (within a certain layer) that you would like to line up with by cmd/ctl + click the layer thumbnail, then highlighting the layer you want to line up with the selected area, choosing the Move Tool and hitting the "align vertical centers" and "align horizontal centers" icons? cmd/ctl + D deselect.

 

[IamSam]

I also see a Transform box in your image...........are you using a transform function?

 

[MrToM]

..I just tried FILE/PLACE which I would think is the proper way to add an additional image...

You could say that, yes.

I've tried the following with an image of the dimensions you quoted....7990x7750px and it worked flawlessly.

If everything else that has been suggested has been proved to fail and you feel resigned to use 'Place' then check your preferences for 'Place' thus:



"Resize Image During Place" does exactly that....it will resize the incoming image to fit the existing document.
As your images are exactly the same size this WILL place the incoming image exactly on top of the original.

If you don't want to adjust the incoming image when placed, (and you don't) then turn off "Always Create Smart Objects When Placing".....you get the "transform" handles if this is checked.

If that doesn't work then either the incoming image is NOT the same size or the evil pixies at the bottom of the garden have jinxed it.

Honestly, I'm all out of ideas if this fails.

Regards.
MrTom.

 

[Clutch Cargo]

Wow, Tom,

I thought you found the cure for me as my settings were exactly opposite. I had resize unchecked and Create Smart object checked. The first time I did place a file it worked! But every time after that so far it is off by a pixel.

I starte with a fresh project, one image. Then added a 2nd. No luck. My preferences look just like yours. One thing I thought interesting, if I have the base image there and can see the whole image in view that's where its only off by one. If I zoom into the image where part of the image is not in view the placement becomes waaay off? Normal?

Tom, thx for all your suggestions - it's gotta be something on my end I'm sure if everyone else out there can easily match up images.

To IamSam,

no, I think I was just dropping in an image that was mostly white. But every time I do add an image I do get a "bounding box" (I take it you mean the "x"), where then I have to press Enter to accept the image or ESC to Cancel. Normal?

 

[MrToM]

...if I have the base image there and can see the whole image in view that's where its only off by one. If I zoom into the image where part of the image is not in view the placement becomes waaay off? Normal?

Well, unless you have a monitor the size of a battleship you'll never be able to view 100% of the image at 100% (not at the dimensions specified anyway), so if you CAN see the whole image then its obviously NOT being viewed @ 100%.

You cannot use this to ascertain by how many pixels something is out.
If it "looks", NOTE, "looks" like its 1px out when it fits the workspace then obviously when viewed at 100% its going to be far more.....your screen pixels don't change size when zooming so yeah, its normal.

...But every time I do add an image I do get a "bounding box" (I take it you mean the "x"), where then I have to press Enter to accept the image or ESC to Cancel. Normal?

Well, thats this bit.....the 'X' is the transform handles....automatically enabled if your settings tell it to be...

If you don't want to adjust the incoming image when placed, (and you don't) then turn off "Always Create Smart Objects When Placing".....you get the "transform" handles if this is checked.

As I said, I cannot replicate the problem, I've tried it all ways and have relayed the results to you.
One thing I forgot to mention is make sure when you 'Place' an image check the Width and Height %, (top of workspace)...



If this ISN'T 100% for both then the incoming image is NOT the same size as the document.

I can only assume that either the original image or the 'placed' image are not the same size......are you sure your original image is not bigger than the canvas?

You can check this by selecting the layer its on, use Ctrl + T, (to get the afore mention 'transform' handles)...
[OPTIONAL]:Nav to VIEW > 100% (or VIEW > 'Actual Pixels' on older PS versions) and check for edge alignment.
Then check the INFO panel for the dimensions of the TRANSFORM.
It should match the doc dimensions and in your case be 7990x7750px.



Here you can see that my image is actually bigger than the canvas (document, ( Doc: )).

If you get something similar to this:



...Then your image is bigger than the canvas and you should prepare for a stay in the dog-house.

Save from attaching the files in question so we can look at it directly I really dunno what else to suggest.

Regards.
MrTom.