Replacing text

[Shari]

Hi - I have a birthday card I made. I would like to use the same card and change the name on the front. I have a background layer, a duplicate layer and a text layer on top. I thought I could go into the text layer and erase the name I have now and replace it. That does not work (I am thinking of what I used to do in Print Shop). Is this possible in PSE3? I also tried deleting the whole layer but that didn't seem to work either. Just wondering. Thank you.
Shari

[Carbone]

Shari,

Where is the card from? Did you make it with PSE or some other software?

Ray

[GaryK]

Hi Shari

I'm surprised that deleting the whole text layer didn't work. What didn't work about it?

The problem with text layers is that you have to simplify them to apply some effects and styles. Once simplified they are not editable..sorry.

If you didn't simplify, I was under the impression that the text is editable even after a save and open. I might be wrong on that, I don't use text often enough to be sure.:)

If I am correct, I guess the best workaround would be to have a duplicate text layer that you would simplify (for the fancy effects) and use the original for editing and making a new layer to simpify if the need arises.

[Shari]

Yes it is in PSE Ray. Gary - I could delete the whole text layer but when I went to redo it the font was so large I could not work with it. I couldn't even make a surrounding box. Sometimes weird things seem to happen in this programme. I guess I have flattened the image because I have used different filters on the photo. There are so many things I do not understand - I just use what works. It's OK I can easily make another card. When it asks if you want to flatten to go onto the next step I figure you have to say yes so I can add text or whatever. Thanks for your comments guys.
Shari
Just read your post again Gary. Is flatten and simplify the same thing?

[bwolford]

You should be able to put text on it's own layer without flattening unless you apply some effects to the text layer. If the text was on it's own layer, as you indicated in your first post, you can delete the text layer or if it hasn't been simplified, edit it...

Brice

[bwolford]

You should be able to put text on it's own layer without flattening unless you apply some effects to the text layer. If the text was on it's own layer, as you indicated in your first post, you can delete the text layer or if it hasn't been simplified, edit it...

Can you send is a screen capture or the names of the layers and their contents? Does the text layer have any filters applied?

Brice

[GaryK]

Hi Shari

Going to fireworks tonight???

Flattening isn't the same as simplifying although it has the same end result to a a text layer.
If you flatten and image, as far as I understand, it just mushes all the layers into one..so no text editing or layer manipulation after that. It will ask if you want to flatten, if you save in a format that does not support layers.

Simplifying turns a text layer (or a shape layer) into just a regular layer. You are ususaly told to do this if you try to apply a style or some effect to the text layer. There may be some exceptions, I'm not sure. If it tells you you need to simplify, if you want that effect, you have to simplify. Again, this takes away the ability to edit the text.

One nice thing is if you don't like the effect/style you can use the undo and all is well.

Hope this helps.

[clemsonjim]

If the type was on it's own layer then you should be able to double click on the T in the text layer box and the text will be selected and you can edit.

Even if you have simplyfied the text it should still be on it's own layer and you would then have to redo the text, but not the whole card if you have not flattened.

[Bayla]

Shari,

Just a thought. If for some reason you can't edit the text layer, can you at least switch it off by clicking on the eyeball? Then you could make a new text layer with the different name etc, and print that out.

Bayla

[Shari]

Thank You Bayla - that was so easy. That is what I did. Also, thank you to everyone else that posted. The help here is fantastic. Hope some day I can be helping more than asking!
Shari