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terence21981657g3ek
Inspiring
May 21, 2022
Answered

Merge Down Gives Unexpected Results

  • May 21, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 2492 views

Hi,

I am geeting an unexpected result from the 'Merge Down' of layers.  Under certain circumstances, when I Merge Down an image  which appears full colour on the screen, the layer icon goes monochrome and the image will only save in monochrome.  The details are as follows.

 

I load the image (Test Image below) and I create a duplicate layer (Background Copy).  I apply the 'Graphic Pen' filter to the new layer and I then set the blend option to luminosity (Screen Shot 1 below).  I now select 'Merge Down' for the Background Copy layer.  The image remains in colour mode but the layer icon is monochrome. (Screen Shot 2 below).  The image will now only save in monochrome.

 

Can anyone suggest a work around so that I can save the colour image.  Thanks

Correct answer D Fosse

From the menu View > 100% or shortcut ctrl+1.

 

100% is a significant number, because it means one image pixel is represented by exactly one physical screen pixel. This is the only way to see the actual pixel structure in the file, without any scaling or resampling.

 

Then take one screenshot before merging, and one after merging, and post them here.

2 replies

Zesty_wanderlust15A7
Zesty_wanderlust15A7
Known Participant
May 22, 2022

"Can anyone suggest a work around so that I can save the colour image. "

Image > Duplicate... (check the option)

Does it do the same thing there? If not, you can save that way.

If you're merging down anyway, you can save in any image format you like w/o merging down.

    T
    terence21981657g3ekAuthor
    Inspiring
    May 22, 2022

    Thank you for your response.  'Duplicate image' duplicates the image in monchrome.  

     

    Yes I could save the image in say .psd but then it would only be good for viewing in a Photoshop environment.  As far as I can tell (from my limited familiarity with Photoshop print) the image will only print as monochrome.

    Zesty_wanderlust15A7
    Zesty_wanderlust15A7
    Known Participant
    May 23, 2022

    Ok, that's no fun then...

    Yes, I know you want a file to use, but I'm just saying you can save or export that at any time — you don't have to merge down to save a jpg, png, tiff, etc. (although if you want .tiff that keeps your layers, you will of course save a lot of space by merging down, but... have no layers LOL)

    So, if you don't mind merging down (as you are doing that), I'm saying you might as well save it out as a file (= skip the merging down and even throw out the psd if you like). Of course, preferably you'll want this file to be a non-lossy format (tiff, ...) so you can do further work later.

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 21, 2022

    Could you please post a screenshot taken at View > 100% with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Channels, Options Bar, …) visible? 

     

    »The image remains in colour mode but the layer icon is monochrome. (Screen Shot 2 below).  The image will now only save in monochrome.«

    How so? It appears to have color on screen, does this disappear after re-opening the image? 

    T
    terence21981657g3ekAuthor
    Inspiring
    May 21, 2022

    "Could you please post a screenshot taken at View > 100% with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Channels, Options Bar, …) visible? "

     

    I don't know what you mean by this.  I tried playing around with the interface etc but couldn't get any thing close to what you are suggesting.  I have a fairly clean set-up, I don't think I have any unusal settings; most if not all are in their default state.

     

    How so? It appears to have color on screen, does this disappear after re-opening the image? 

     

    The image on screen goes monochrome during the save process (and remains so after the save).   The stored image is monochrome on reopening.

    It would be helpful to me if someone else could try this on their setup and see if they get the same result or a different one.

     

     

     

    D Fosse
    Community Expert
    D FosseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    May 21, 2022

    From the menu View > 100% or shortcut ctrl+1.

     

    100% is a significant number, because it means one image pixel is represented by exactly one physical screen pixel. This is the only way to see the actual pixel structure in the file, without any scaling or resampling.

     

    Then take one screenshot before merging, and one after merging, and post them here.

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