Inspiring

Answered

Same Layers Looking Different in Different Files?

Forum|Forum|21 days ago
August 26, 2026
11 replies
81 views

Hi everybody, I’m trying to make an advert for my band but I’m having different results in two different files with the same layers and can’t figure out why. I was wondering if anybody can spot the obvious mistake I’ve made?

In one file (the one above) I have the album cover with a multiply blend of another image over it and a vertical gradient layer over that. When the gradient layer is on it comes out lighter so you can see the detail underneath. Grave stone etc.

I have dragged the exact same layers into a different file which has some other things in it and they appear completely different when the gradient layer is on! This file (the one below) it is way darker! What could be different in file on the left to the file on the right? Many thanks for any ideas.

Correct answer MarekMularczyk

Maybe the gradient you applied is a bit lower in one file and higher in another? Have you checked the position of the layer with the gradient and the gradient itself?

Gareth_WilliamsAuthor

Inspiring

Thanks c.pfaffenbichler, sorry about that. I have change the Status Bar to Document Profile. Thanks again.

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

Thanks; so that was not the problem …

Just to make sure: Did you check the Blend Modes of the two top Layers have stayed the same after copying the Layers to the new document?

Judging from the Layers Panel icons the Layer »Bleed For Bottom« seems to have been misplaced.

D Fosse

Community Expert

@Gareth_Williams

@c.pfaffenbichler

Good catch! Yes, the gradient is clearly in a different position.

Shift-drag to center the dragged content in the receiving document. If they are the same pixel size, that means exact position is maintained.

Gareth_WilliamsAuthor

Inspiring

Thanks c.pfaffenbichler, this is the same comparison with the layers panels windows visible. There is some sort of mask going on but I can’t remember how I did it. The above is the original which is what I want. The below is the file that I dragged the layers into but with other irrelevant layers turned off. This has come out darker for some reason! Thanks again.

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

Please set the Status Bar to »Document Profile« to clarify whether the two images have the same Color Space.

Gareth_WilliamsAuthor

Inspiring

Thanks guys. There are layer masks involved but it should be the same in both files. I will sort out some more helpful screen shots. Thanks again.

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

Please set the Status Bar to »Document Profile« and post meaningful screenshots including all pertinent Panels (Layers, Options, …).

Do the two images share the same Color Space?

As @MarekMularczyk hinted at: Do all the Gradient Layers have Layer Masks?

A Gradient Layer without a Layer Mask (or Vector Mask) will act in reference to the Canvas.

edit:

MarekMularczyk

Correct answer

Community Expert

Maybe the gradient you applied is a bit lower in one file and higher in another? Have you checked the position of the layer with the gradient and the gradient itself?

Adobe Community ExpertAdobe Certified Professional

Gareth_WilliamsAuthor

Inspiring

Yeah, that’s what’s happened for sure. That was a school boy error! I am an idiot! I’ve sorted it out now. Thanks again.

MarekMularczyk

Community Expert

Glad you got it sorted

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