Why wont AP record some steps in a macro

[Fujial]

Newbie here - I was trying to record a macro for the first time (in the photo persona) using a sequence of commands that produced the effect I wanted but didn't manage to get beyond the first step. 

I opened a jpeg image which showed as a Background pixel layer, switched on the macro recorder and attempted to right click and create a duplicate layer but the drop down wouldn't appear.  Switch off the recorder and it appears allowing me to create the duplicate.

I fear learning AP might be a long process .....

Thanks in advance for any help

[John Rostron]

Have you tried Layer > Duplicate? This works more reliably in macros (as opposed to mouse-clicks).

John

[Fujial]

John - you're a star - it works perfectly.  I hadn't tried that approach.  Thanks for your prompt and helpful response.

Alan

[smadell]

When you're recording macros, I have found it quite helpful to try to limit most of my steps to menu selections (when possible). There are a lot of things that macros can do, but can only do if called from menubar choices.

A good example is creating a 50% grey layer for Dodge & Burn (for instance). If you create a new layer and try to fill it by choosing a color from the Colors palette and using the Flood Fill tool, you will fail; however, if you create a new pixel layer and choose Fill… from the menu, choosing 50% grey from the dialog box that opens, AF will record that series of steps just fine and will remember the 50% grey value inside of the macro.

[Fujial]

Thank you Smadell - I'll try that.   Cheers