Question on merging layers...

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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Originally Posted by 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.

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

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.