I don’t know about #1, but with your second question, when you paste, choose Edit|Paste Into, assuming your original selection is still selected.
Bob,
I’m not sure how the "single-layer flattening" and "apply and delete" would differ. By applying your layer mask, aren’t you, in effect, deleting it?
~Em
Thanks YrbkMgr, but it doesn’t do that on my system. Paste Into, creates a layer mask based on the selection, but shifts the selected pixels within the selection. I don’t want a layer mask!
Emma, that’s right they don’t differ, but neither of them is available for layer styles – or are they and I’ve missed them?
Ok in number 1 you used 2 different terms. Layer mask and layer effect.
I’m assuming your saying you know how to do a single layer flattening for masks but your asking how to ALSO do this for layer effects?
Lets say I’m correct in what your asking (for sake of argument). There is no way as far as I know to render a layer effect. Lets correct that and say there is no option you can CLICK on to render it.
Here is what I do.
Lets say you have a PSD with 3 layers.
Layer 2
Layer 1
Background
Layer 2 has some effects applied to it. Lets say, drop shadow and bevel. You want those effects to be part of that layer, NOT an effect.
Create a new EMPTY layer. Layer 3. Move Layer 3 bellow Layer 2.
Layer 2
Layer 3
Layer 1
Background
Select layer 2 and hit the options menu drop down in your layer list and go to MERGE DOWN. You’ve effectively merged Layer 2 (effects included) into layer 3 which is empty, there by rendering the effects.
Kind of a dirty work around, but until someone shows me a hidden RENDER EFFECTS option, I’ll keep doing it!
Good Luck
Answer to your second question. Photoshop seems to always paste in the MIDDLE.
If nothing is selected it pastes into the middle of the document.
If you have a selection it pastes into the middle of the selection.
So you can do this Several ways.
1) Paste it BEFORE you deselect. Just Control-C then Control-V with the selection still highlighted.
2) After you Paste it, create a channel before you deselect. Then jsut select that channel when your ready to paste.
**** This is the easiest and the way I always do it*****
3) Control-J will layer via copy and it keeps the selection in place.
3) Click on the Layer options menu drop down and go down to Layer Via Copy.
Bob, for the first one, I have two tips:
1. (Probably not the one you are looking for, but I thought I’d point it out.) Right click on the "f" in the layers palette and go to "Create Layers". That rasterizes all the effects, and groups the layers correctly.
2. The other, better (IMO) option is to create a new transparent layer above the layer with the styles attached, link them, and merge them by pressing "Ctrl-E".
For the second question, make the selection, and go to "Layer->New->Layer via Copy/Cut" (Choose copy or cut based on what you want to do.) This should place it in the same position where it was.
Hope that helped.
Cnickel, you beat me to it, with a better description as well. Nice work. Bob, I think I answered the first one, still.
Jonathan
Your number 1 was cool.. I didnt realize you could do that. That will come in handy if I want to dig into a little more detail of a layer. N1
Excellent! Thanks for all that effort while I slept. So:
1. There’s no single step, but merge with a new blank layer is quick.
2. Ctrl-J does the job – I missed that one.
Thanks to everyone.