Ability to add quick layer link like in PS7 as a preference.

I love the multiple selecting layers but having the link icon at the bottom for me is just way to slow (without creating a hotkey). I like the old method of being able to quickly link layers just by using the icon. It saves a click and for me is faster. I think as a preference it would be great but would like to also keep the ability to select multiple layers.

Not quite as fast as the old way of linking but putting layers in a group will also do the same thing when selecting the group while still allowing all the layers to be selected and moved individually without the need to unlink or ungroup.

I agree with the request to revive the link check boxes. Their removal doesn't have any real benefit. The space this frees up (not a problem in my experience) is used up with space for a link icon to display on the right of the description. Illustrator and InDesign both use checkboxes (for layer locking), so consistency isn't served by the new palette.

Adobe should also bother to provide minimal documentation for interface changes. In order to select a layer mask outline, ctrl+click on the layer doesn't work as it used to (now it's for group selection). It will work if you click on the layer thumbnail, but this isn't documented (nor are any other keyboard shortcuts) in the help files.

I'm currently working on illustration with 20 or more layers. The interface change slows my work needlessly.

Try using multiple layer selection for a while -- you won't need links often (if at all).

I agree with BJ about the undocumented UI changes. Not that I disagree with most of them (I am well aware of being habituated to old UIs, where the new UI is an improvement that I will adapt to), but certainly some kind of reference to the things that changed would be good.

much agreed.

Multiple layer selection using the Shift and Ctrl keys is a nice addition, but it's no substitute for the convenience of simply clicking to activate the link icon of various layers in my opinion. Two hands are now required where previously only one hand was needed...that's not exactly efficient. Of course, I could get around that somewhat if I wanted to reprogram my 5-button mouse to assign Shift and Ctrl to the side keys, but unfortunately those can't be restricted to specific applications as I'd wish.

Daryl, you've got a good pretext get an intuos 3 ;D

A nice but pricey option Pierre...more functional than my old Art Pad II, but I can't justify replacing it given that I never really developed a real proficiency in using the pen. Someday maybe.

I could get around that somewhat if I wanted to reprogram my 5-button
mouse to assign Shift and Ctrl to the side keys




This is exactly what I did a year ago, and I have been completely happy ever since (I use Wacom for Photoshop but I use a mouse for everything else). I got used to it pretty quickly.

The UI has been really hammered for layer linking beyond the extra steps needed to make links. If you use layer links there no longer is a merge from links command, you first have to use the menu interface to select links and then "merge layers". Very inefficient. The UI designers for CS2 want us all to learn a new metaphor and links are now an awkward afterthought with no real useful purpose. "Merge layers" is a scary name for anyone used to the old UI since it doesn't specify that selected layers will be merged. The UI designers could at least have named the command "merge selected".

All-in-all, this appears to be a change driven by people who don't use layers with any sophistication and the result doesn't offer any demonstrable improvement in the UI for anyone. The select layers and group metaphor could have been added without trashing the old UI tools.

The UI designers for CS2 want us all to learn a new metaphor and links
are now an awkward afterthought with no real useful purpose.




it's not really a new metaphor. it's been the standard way of selecting multiple items in windows since version 3.0. my question is: "what took em so long?!!" :)

Multiple Select is the way to go for temporary grouping.

Groups (Sets) are the way to go for most perminent grouping.

Linking is now only really useful for non-contiguous grouping.

~Hanford