Skip to main content
I
inquestflash
Inspiring
July 28, 2019
Answered

Blend modes to PNG

  • July 28, 2019
  • 4 replies
  • 23856 views

Hi forum.

I'm trying to merge my layers and export my file as a PNG file. When I do merge visible/ with the background the merged layers look intact, But when I remove the background ( and canvas is transparent) and then do merge visible, I lose the effect I want to achieve. Is it possible to merge all the layers without a background, or are blend modes to be used specifically to blend in with a background image?

Thank you.

PS: I have tried to export my file as a PNG with all the layers still having their blend modes applied, but even when exported as a PNG file, the blending mode

disappears.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Daniel E Lane

    Instead of doing a Merge Visible, try this.

    • Set up al of your layers as you want them with the right blend modes.
    • Turn off your background
    • Select the very top layer
    • Do what is called a "Stamp Image" by pressing Shift+Option+Command+E. (You have now created a new layer combining all of the lower layers, using all of their blend modes)
    • Hide all of your lower layers and just keep the new top stamped layer visible.
    • Save as a PNG.

    4 replies

    R
    ruthf68060577
    Participating Frequently
    October 13, 2021

    I was having this exact problem with blending modes disappearing when I stamped or merged visible layers. I checked my Image>Mode, and it was set to 16 bit. I changed it to 8 bit channel and all worked as expected.

     

    I had tried all the other fixes listed and they did not work for me.

    I
    inquestflashAuthor
    Inspiring
    July 29, 2019

    Hi thanks or you replies.

    Here is a screen shot, with one of the layer blend modes set to: soft light.

    If the 3 layers are merged, the blend mode is intact. When I remove the background layer, and try to merge, the blend soft light blend modes, seems to default to normal again making the white stroke visible. Now I'm posting this more for theory reasons. I know I can make a soft brush and make a stroke, lower its opacity. But this is more for educational reasons I'm trying to understand why PS is behaving this way.

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 29, 2019

    When I remove the background layer, and try to merge, the blend soft light blend modes, seems to default to normal again making the white stroke visible.

    That is as expected, one Layer can only have one Blend Mode.

    For some Blend Modes and Layers the effect can be »isolated« (in RGB for example a Layer with true grey pixels set to »Multiply« can be transformed into a Layer with black pixels with transparency) but not for all.

    Bojan Živković11378569
    Community Expert
    Bojan Živković11378569Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 28, 2019

    Can you post some screenshot with Layers panel visible? It is not common for blending modes to disappear wen exporting but we can only guess what is going on without to see composition and Layers panel.

    K
    kornelijek
    Participating Frequently
    August 23, 2021

    Something like this? Is it possible to save just the texture layer in PNG, without the background?

     

     

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 18, 2022

    Copy the mask onto the background before saving as PNG

    Dave

    Daniel E Lane
    Daniel E LaneCorrect answer
    Inspiring
    July 28, 2019

    Instead of doing a Merge Visible, try this.

    • Set up al of your layers as you want them with the right blend modes.
    • Turn off your background
    • Select the very top layer
    • Do what is called a "Stamp Image" by pressing Shift+Option+Command+E. (You have now created a new layer combining all of the lower layers, using all of their blend modes)
    • Hide all of your lower layers and just keep the new top stamped layer visible.
    • Save as a PNG.
      Trevor.Dennis
      Community Expert
      Trevor.DennisCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 29, 2019

      https://forums.adobe.com/people/Daniel+E+Lane  wrote

      Instead of doing a Merge Visible, try this.

      • Set up al of your layers as you want them with the right blend modes.
      • Turn off your background
      • Select the very top layer
      • Do what is called a "Stamp Image" by pressing Shift+Option+Command+E. (You have now created a new layer combining all of the lower layers, using all of their blend modes)
      • Hide all of your lower layers and just keep the new top stamped layer visible.
      • Save as a PNG.

      That's what I do when merging groups and layers has unexpected results.  Smart Objects that contain layers with non default blend mode can be a cause, but Groups can mess you up as well.  Adding a copy merged layer to the top of the stack has always fixed it for me.

      Michael Ninness describes that sort of shortcut as 'mashing the keyboard' but with this case, adding the E key. 

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices