Ferlin

I found the 'Photo Makeover" tute to be very helpful. I like how the blending mode Softlight/Overlay seemed to change the color of the iris from within rather than looking tinted. When I went to merge three layers they did not merge and the circle color that I made for the eyes for sat on the surface like I had never blended them. I later flattened the image and that worked, but why could'nt I merge those layers. I am in the habit of merging layers when they look right to reduce file size.
Also, I have been playing around with skinny fashion models making them look fat.I'm getting some kind of reveng on the ultra hip fashion world I guess. The median filter has been helpful in this. The problems I run into are the edges of the face or the edges of the arms and legs. Any tips on how the pros deal with edges to put on or take away lbs.

Rantin Al

Ferlin, If the layer didn't merge, it was probably hidden. When you merge, the layers to be merged must be visible and one of these must be the active layer.

If you have several layers and you only want to merge two or three of them, leaving the rest as individual layers, you can link them and then 'Merge Linked'. Again, one layer must be active in the group and all must be visible.

You'll find these options in the drop down menu at the top right of the layers palette or from the main menubar.

Al.

Be careful though. I can say from experience in the past that sometimes I wished I hadn't merged them. Try to avoid it as much as possible Ferlin

What exactly are these problems, because now I can only guess Ferlin.
Can you show us an example?

Blinky2004

Actually guys there's an old "trick" to merging layers when they're using blend modes...

If your bottom layer in the merged group is set to any other blend mode than 'Normal', you'll not get the merged effect you're expecting. The base layer needs to be on Normal mode for the above layer's blend modes to remain intact.

To remedy this snafu simply select all of the contents from each layer you're merging, then activate your background or other 'bg' layer and press Ctrl+J. Now move this new layer to the bottom of the group you're merging, leaving it on Normal mode, and link the other layers to it. Then press Ctrl+E.

This may sound confusing at first, but it's actually a very simple/quick process. Just read carefully what i've written and do 1 step at a time. You'll see how easy it is too.

Any questions, ask. :B

Ferlin

I guess Ill put one of the pics up for you to see. I'm new to posting an image. I will put up one of my models tomorrow. Hope I can get it in here all right. The problem im having is with edges of - for lack of a better word- flesh. If I want the face of the model to be wider I can simply select the left side of her cheek - put it on a new layer and move it out to make the face wider. But then you have the angularity [is that a word] of the cheek to smooth out and make more round. Thats where I have the problem with the edge of the face. That subtle shadow or line right at the edge. Agh. 'll put the pic up tomorrow.
I know I merged the layers tne right way - By visible I guess you mean having the little eye on, right? Check it out. I think that if you try to merge a layer that's been blend {like soft light overlay) it doesn't merge. I dunno, I'll try it again.
It's interesting to learn that I have been destructively editing my images all this time. i'm always duplicating a layer and doing whatever to it. I want to learn more about masks. My friend said just use layer Msks...dont need channels. I guess he was pretty durn wrong.

Ferlin

Thanks Keeper - I guess that's why your called the keeper

wbiss

Welcome aboard Ferlin! Enjoy your time and learning experience here!

Yep, that's a great little "tip" Mark re merging layers with various different blend modes... [righton] Thanks for detailing it for some of our newer members! [righton]