Question to do with layers

[Nantosh]

Really sorry 'bout this...

So, first off, I'm using GIMP. That should limit some stuff.

Anyways, I know how layers work and all that jazz, but I want to know how I can merge two layers together to blend and stuff, but still be able to separate them if needed...

Thanx in advance ^ ^

[Barotix]

With Photoshop, what I did before deleting it was:

Crop Image
Go to Edit
Click Copy Merged
Go to Layer
Click New Layer
Now Ctrl+V

Or if you want to merge a stock with a background to make a new stock
Crop Image
Go to Layer
Click Merge Down

I have to uninstall some useless files before I reinstall photoshop.

[BrokenSaint]

Theres an easier way with PS.

Just go to the layer panel.
Ctrl + Click the layers you want to merge.
Then Ctrl + E

But you cannot un-merge them though. Besides it defeats the use of layers if that's what you want to do.

[Nantosh]

Theres an easier way with PS.

Just go to the layer panel.
Ctrl + Click the layers you want to merge.
Then Ctrl + E

But you cannot un-merge them though. Besides it defeats the use of layers if that's what you want to do.

You can do that with GIMP too.
Dam, was just wondering if there was a way to de-merge to apply something only to one layer...

[Barotix]

Theres an easier way with PS.

Just go to the layer panel.
Ctrl + Click the layers you want to merge.
Then Ctrl + E

But you cannot un-merge them though. Besides it defeats the use of layers if that's what you want to do.

You can do that with GIMP too.
Dam, was just wondering if there was a way to de-merge to apply something only to one layer...

Copying Merged then putting it on a new layer is usually to add color or to add an effect, such as a motion blur.

[BrokenSaint]

I haven't tried it yet, but I assume it may work. If you want to apply effects to specific layers, you can just Ctrl + Click the desired layers then start brushing or whatever you intended to do.

[rek]

Never used GIMP so i dont know if it has it.

newlayer>>applyimage. Like taking a screeny of everything you have and pasting it into the new layer.

edit: you cant seperate layers after you merge something except if you ctrl-z until you seperate then again. But you lose everything you did. I dont think what your asking is possible. And i dont see why you would need to..?

[BrokenSaint]

Yeah Apply image (or Ctrl + alt + Shift + e) will flatten all unhidden layers into one.

But yeah the method I posted doesnt work (selecting layers then blah blah). But I'm not exactly sure how to answer your question unless you tell us exactly what you want to do with ur current WIP. You can always duplicate layers + merge so you don't have to go through all that trouble to just un-merge layers.

pretty much common sense if you know your way around Photoshop.

[Nantosh]

In the end it wasn't worth it for what I was doing. I was simply trying to blend a background and other layer together then separate to put something in between, but meh...

Thanks anyways ^ ^