Selecting problems

[Ray Stanton]

I want to use one of the Blur filters but even after selecting all on the active layer, I keep getting a message that says in effect, can't apply the filter because no pixels are selected. I've tried using the elliptical selection tool for part of the photo but get the same message.

What am I doing wrong?

[MikeH]

Hi Ray,

Welcome to the forums :)

When you say an active layer, does that layer contain the part of the image that you are applying the filter to..? The Blur filters won't work on some layers, like a new layer..

Mike

[Ray Stanton]

I want to apply the filter to the whole picture, so I just created a new layer, That didn't work, so I tried yet another layer--same result. Frustrating!
Ray

[MikeH]

Ray,

You can't apply the filter to a new layer. Duplicate the background layer (press Ctrl and J) and then apply the filter to that layer.

Mike

[Wendy]

Hi Ray ...,

... and welcome to the forum :)

When you create a new layer then its an empty layer with no pixels in it ... PSE gave you an error message because there was nothing there to blur :(

Wendy