Selections Across Layers
Howling Rabbit

Hello, I have retouched an image extensively using  
different layers. I now want to duplicate the whole 
retouched area. But even  with linking the layers I can't seem 
to select the whole area. I wind up merely  duplicating the 
pixels on the particular layer that is highlighted. 
Do I have to  flatten my layers?
Do I have a linking "bug"? 
Thanks to anyone who can  provide for me an answer. 

A
No... you do not have a linking error.

NOTE: the more recent method, simply click in the empty "Link" box next to the 'eye' icon in the layers palette to 'LINK' that layer with the currently active layer. Now you can act upon all those layers at the same time. Once complete, you can 'unlink' them and they return to their original unique layers.

If you're ready for a destructive move you can "Merge Down" or "Merge Visible" layers to merge more than one layer into a single layer.

For Photoshop prior to v5.5:

First, I assume you do not want a "destructive" solution, or one that destroys your individual layers. There is a trick for selecting across layers, but for now I cannot remember it, and after about 30 minutes of searching our Photoshop bookshelf I cannot find it. Perhaps some of our readers can shed some light on selections across layers.

However, you can always make a linked set of the layers and drag them into (the image window, not layers palette) a new file for manipulation.
** to make a linked set of layers simply click in the second column of the layers palette until the chain-link turns on. Linked layers will move in unison when you Command/Drag the active layer.

For unified modifications on multiple layers you may want to create an adjustment layer which acts upon multiple linked layers below it. This gets a bit tricky, you should read the section in your manual about Adjustment Layers. In a nutshell, the adjustment layer allows limited color, hue, tone, and other "global" adjustments to be enacted on the group of layers below it.

Another method would be to Merge the layers you want to work on, or make copies, then merge or merge down. The "Merge Down" command (Command/E) simply melds the layer with the one immediately below it. You can also turn off the layers you don't want to affect (click on the Eye in the Layers Palette) then use the "Merge Visible (Command/Shift/E) command to merge all the visible layers into one.

Hope I've helped... I'll continue looking for that "Select Across Layers" command.

:-)

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