Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Working with Layers

  1. #1
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    West Nottingham, PA, USA
    Posts
    7,038
    Threads
    427
    Thank You Posts

    Default Working with Layers

    I use many layers in PP (I use Photoshop 7) and would like to have one file with all the layers on it. My problem is this: After I've done several layers such as adjustment layers, I want to run Topaz. But, I always run Topaz on a duplicate layer. I don't know how to get a duplicate layer of all the prior layers without merging them. Can anyone help me?

    Many thanks!

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Weimar, TX
    Posts
    934
    Threads
    274
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I have CS 3-5.5 so this may not be valid. For that matter it may not be valid no matter what version you are using. I've never used this method the way that you've asked the question

    (1) Unlock the base layer by double clicking it and accepting the default Layer 0 window that pops up
    (2) Select all of the layers and hit Command G or go to the layers menu and select group layers.
    (3) Select the group and in the layers menu select Duplicate group

    It's nice to know about layer grouping no matter what your intent. It brings order to chaos. You can group your layers by function or whatever suits you, then click on the group "eye" to see what affect the grouped layers have on your image, adjust group opacity, etc.

    (4) Once you have duplicated the group you need to turn the original group off unless you intend to double apply all of your changes.

    (5) Select the duplicate group and run Topaz. It should apply the changes to the group.

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    West Nottingham, PA, USA
    Posts
    7,038
    Threads
    427
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Lloyd View Post
    I have CS 3-5.5 so this may not be valid. For that matter it may not be valid no matter what version you are using. I've never used this method the way that you've asked the question

    (1) Unlock the base layer by double clicking it and accepting the default Layer 0 window that pops up
    (2) Select all of the layers and hit Command G or go to the layers menu and select group layers.
    (3) Select the group and in the layers menu select Duplicate group

    It's nice to know about layer grouping no matter what your intent. It brings order to chaos. You can group your layers by function or whatever suits you, then click on the group "eye" to see what affect the grouped layers have on your image, adjust group opacity, etc.

    (4) Once you have duplicated the group you need to turn the original group off unless you intend to double apply all of your changes.

    (5) Select the duplicate group and run Topaz. It should apply the changes to the group.
    Thanks, Michael, but it didn't work for me. :-(

  4. #4
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Angels Camp, CA
    Posts
    213
    Threads
    55
    Thank You Posts

    Default Duplicate layer

    Hey Anita, I use CS5 and if I understand you, the simple way is to go to IMAGE>DUPLICATE. You then have a new file (copy) of your picture and can do with it what you may - without altering the origional file.

    Hope it is what you wanted to do.

    Rob....................

  5. #5
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    West Nottingham, PA, USA
    Posts
    7,038
    Threads
    427
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob Miner View Post
    Hey Anita, I use CS5 and if I understand you, the simple way is to go to IMAGE>DUPLICATE. You then have a new file (copy) of your picture and can do with it what you may - without altering the origional file.

    Hope it is what you wanted to do.

    Rob....................
    Thanks, Rob. I do what you suggest, but it isn't the solution to my problem. I want to create a new layer (that is not an adjustment layer) to work on after having created several other layers.

  6. #6
    BPN Viewer Tom Graham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Southern California, Orange County
    Posts
    1,116
    Threads
    33
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Here's one way I think is what you are after. May be more "elegant" techniques but this is almost intuitive (if anything in PS is intuitive).
    I'm using PS 9 or CS2 so likely very similar to your 7.
    Have fun!!! - Tom
    Name:  psabcd.jpg
Views: 199
Size:  127.4 KB

  7. #7
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Bedford, MA
    Posts
    1,603
    Threads
    302
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Anita,

    There may be better ways but I think this method will suit your needs :

    Make sure all of your existing layers are visible and click/highlight the top layer to make it the active layer.
    Use Layer->New->Layer to create a transparent layer as the new top layer (this will become the active layer).
    Use Layer->Merge Visible while holding down BOTH the alt/ctrl (Windows) or option/command (Mac) keys.
    This will merge all of the existing layers into this newly created layer.

  8. #8
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Stockholm, Sweden
    Posts
    125
    Threads
    28
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Another way of doing what I think MIke is describing above is holding down Shift+Control+Alt+E (Stamp Visible Layers) this will immediately create a new layer with a copy of exactly what you see when positioned in the top layer. I use it a lot to freeze what I've done and continue on from there. The negative is that if you go back and do changes "below" the copy they will have no effect at the top unless you redo the Stamp Visible Layers.

    /Svante

  9. #9
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Bedford, MA
    Posts
    1,603
    Threads
    302
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Svante! Didn't know the "shortcut" ... easier way of doing the same thing.

  10. #10
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Weimar, TX
    Posts
    934
    Threads
    274
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Try this LINK Anita. Shortcut #2 sounds like it might be the solution

  11. #11
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    West Nottingham, PA, USA
    Posts
    7,038
    Threads
    427
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thank you for the various suggestions. I've been out of town and away from my computer, so it is taking me a while to try the various methods.

  12. #12
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    West Nottingham, PA, USA
    Posts
    7,038
    Threads
    427
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Graham View Post
    Here's one way I think is what you are after. May be more "elegant" techniques but this is almost intuitive (if anything in PS is intuitive).
    I'm using PS 9 or CS2 so likely very similar to your 7.
    Have fun!!! - Tom
    Name:  psabcd.jpg
Views: 199
Size:  127.4 KB
    Thank you so much for the screen shots. They certainly helped me understand what you did. I tried this approach. It worked in allowing me to merge layers and continue working. The one drawback was that I could not go back and make changes in the layers I'd "merged." Again, thanks!

  13. #13
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    West Nottingham, PA, USA
    Posts
    7,038
    Threads
    427
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Anita Bower View Post
    Thank you so much for the screen shots. They certainly helped me understand what you did. I tried this approach. It worked in allowing me to merge layers and continue working. The one drawback was that I could not go back and make changes in the layers I'd "merged." Again, thanks!
    It does work. I don't think I can go back and make changes in any of the methods. Thanks!

  14. #14
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    West Nottingham, PA, USA
    Posts
    7,038
    Threads
    427
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Milicia View Post
    Hi Anita,

    There may be better ways but I think this method will suit your needs :

    Make sure all of your existing layers are visible and click/highlight the top layer to make it the active layer.
    Use Layer->New->Layer to create a transparent layer as the new top layer (this will become the active layer).
    Use Layer->Merge Visible while holding down BOTH the alt/ctrl (Windows) or option/command (Mac) keys.
    This will merge all of the existing layers into this newly created layer.
    Thank you, Mike. Your method works for me in PS7 and Elements 7. The trick is to press down the Alt key first, then the Ctrl key. Otherwise, it doesn't work. Weird.

  15. #15
    BPN Viewer Tom Graham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Southern California, Orange County
    Posts
    1,116
    Threads
    33
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    " . go back and make changes.. ." Can't you use Edit then Undo or Step Backward ??
    Also, you can make multiple copies of Adjustment Layers(s). Then merge any combo, in steps, while still having the original.
    Tom

  16. #16
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    West Nottingham, PA, USA
    Posts
    7,038
    Threads
    427
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Graham View Post
    " . go back and make changes.. ." Can't you use Edit then Undo or Step Backward ??
    Also, you can make multiple copies of Adjustment Layers(s). Then merge any combo, in steps, while still having the original.
    Tom
    Thanks, Tom. I will try this. A learning process, for sure! I appreciate all the help. :-)

  17. #17
    Lifetime Member Jay Gould's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    In the whole wide world!
    Posts
    2,788
    Threads
    332
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Once you use CASE (this is how I label that layer as described in detail by Svante), you have effectively locked the lower layers. They are only there visually. If you turn off the CASE layer and make changes to the lower layers, once you turn back on CASE those changes do not appear. At least that has been my experience.
    Cheers, Jay

    My Digital Art - "Nature Interpreted" - can now be view at http://www.luvntravlnphotography.com

    "Nature Interpreted" - Photography begins with your mind and eyes, and ends with an image representing your vision and your reality of the captured scene; photography exceeds the camera sensor's limitations. Capturing and Processing landscapes and seascapes allows me to express my vision and reality of Nature.

  18. #18
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    West Nottingham, PA, USA
    Posts
    7,038
    Threads
    427
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Jay Gould View Post
    Once you use CASE (this is how I label that layer as described in detail by Svante), you have effectively locked the lower layers. They are only there visually. If you turn off the CASE layer and make changes to the lower layers, once you turn back on CASE those changes do not appear. At least that has been my experience.
    Yes. That is what I experienced also.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics