Question on merging layers...

[Monroe]

How do you successfully merge two or more layers that are set on overlay without changing the way it looks?

[DR809]

I guess you can just not merge them any adjustments you wanted to make to the two will still look the same merged or not.....but then again i could be mistaken.

[Monroe]

Well I have nine duplicate layers set to overlay that I want to merge together for convenience. But when I try to merge them the effects don't last.

[DR809]

You can group them and it'll make your life easier.

[Pet]

If I remember correctly, when you merge 2 layers, the top one gains the effects of the bottom one, and loses its own. So, if you merge 2 layers set to overlay, of the same image, it will simple be 1 overlay effect, rather than 2. So, for you, just make a folder and out all those layers in it, it is the best you can do.

[Monroe]

Ok. I see what you guys are saying. I don't think it'll work for what I need though. Because I have nine layers with the same brush on top on itself set to overlay. And I needed to erase part of the brush, and wanted to do the same for all nine layers, without having to erase the same piece on each layer one at a time. That's why I wanted to merge them. But throwing them in a folder won't solve the problem I don't think. No worries though I've taken care of it. Thanks for the tip.

[cc.RadillacVIII]

You can apply the image. Hide all layers that you don't want to include in the apply. Then press ctrl + alt + shift + e.

[Vicious Zen]

Ok. I see what you guys are saying. I don't think it'll work for what I need though. Because I have nine layers with the same brush on top on itself set to overlay. And I needed to erase part of the brush, and wanted to do the same for all nine layers, without having to erase the same piece on each layer one at a time. That's why I wanted to merge them. But throwing them in a folder won't solve the problem I don't think. No worries though I've taken care of it. Thanks for the tip.

Group them, then put a layer mask on the group, and mask off what you don't want.

[Xelo]

as rad says...
or if you have nine layers that are exactly the same for the effect you want, but you would like to erase a (the same) part on each off them, then i would delete all the copies, erase on the original and just copy that one as much as you want again.