Why the second layer and then merge?

GR
Posted By
Gord_Rock
Nov 1, 2005
Views
421
Replies
9
Status
Closed
I’m trying to understand Photoshop by following a number of tutorials on different websites. One thing (of many) that I don’t understand is why a tutorial will say "make a new layer and position it below the layer you’re working on and then merge the layers".

What is the purpose of the second layer? I can’t see any difference when looking at the monitor. Is there an explanation? I must be missing something!

……Gord
Related Tags
layer merge

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PF
Peter_Figen
Nov 1, 2005
There must be more to the tutorial you’ve been reading, because without the context, you’re right, it doesn’t make much sense.
GR
Gord_Rock
Nov 1, 2005
Here’s the address of the tutorial I’ve been following this evening:

<http://dawnofdesign.info/dod_tut_alt1.htm>

You’ll find the item I’m talking about at step 2b.

Now that it’s in context does it make sense? If so, why?

Thanks,

……Gord
Y
YrbkMgr
Nov 1, 2005
Gord,

There’s no reason for that step – you’re not missing anything.
R
RobertHJones
Nov 1, 2005
Actually, there is a reason for that step. He has a layer style applied and wants to apply a curves adjustment directly to that layer. Merging down rasterizes the layer. Applying the curves adjustment to the styled layer does not give the same effect as applying the adjustment to the rasterized layer.

Bob
Y
YrbkMgr
Nov 1, 2005
<slaps forehead> Duh. I remember thinking that you could just flatten it, which you can, but in order to follow the instructions explicity, yes, you need the additional layer, albeit not necessarily beneath the layer of interest, in order to merge down.

<shaking head> I’m going home fellas…

Good catch Robert.
AA
aLvIN AND tHEOdoRe
Nov 1, 2005
I took Photshop classes here http://www.lvsonline.com

I knew NOTHING about PS but this place really helped me out. Classes are $25.00 for new students then when another class session starts up it’s only $20.00 u.s. Classes are 6 weeks and you post questions to a BBS where the instructor checks it a few times a day.

Never work on the background, always duplicate the background image and when you do this it turns into a layer.

Here is a link to Janee who has some really good Tuts on her site, she also instructed at LVS, this one is for beginners….

http://www.myjanee.com/tuts/start/start.htm

But if you do have some extra cash laying around then I suggest you try those classes, you won’t be disappointed 🙂

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GR
Gord_Rock
Nov 1, 2005
Thanks everyone. I may not be sure what that means, exactly, but it’s nice to know there is a reason for it. With a lot more work it may become clear as mud.

……Gord
Y
YrbkMgr
Nov 1, 2005
Gord,

You have to have the extra blank layer so that you can merge down the image. If you do not merge down the image, that layer remains alterable. So it’s a way of making that bevel and emboss effect permanent.

You can make it permanent without using Merge Down as the instructions tell you to do. You can simply flatten the image and the changes will be permanent.

So the author chose a particular method for making it permanent, and in order to use that method, you must have two or more layers. Creating a "dummy" layer suffices in this case.

Peace,
Tony
GR
Gord_Rock
Nov 2, 2005
Thanks Tony,

NOW it makes sense.

……Gord

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