Photoshop CC 2021 Exclusion Blend Mode

[rytch]

When I use exclusion blend mode for a rasterized layer, and then save the file (PSB or TIFF) to Lightroom CC the saved file is extremely different in brightness and contrast. Also, when I zoom into that layer, when I get above 32% the image changes suddenly. I have tried numerous solutions but have found nothing that will let me save the image as it appears. Also, if I merge visivble to a new layer, the image changes. I have uploaded a couple of images to show what I mean. Thanks for any help!

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Could you please post screenshots taken at View > 100% with the pertinent Panels (Layers, Channels, Options Bar, …) visible from before and after merging. 

[rytch]

Sure here they are -- identical in fact.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

As davescm pointed out View > 100% is what counts. 

It seems the image is particularly noisy, that’s often the case with the »the image changes when flattening«-cases. 

[rytch]

Thanks for the info. I will see if I can improve the noise characteristics and retry.

[davescm]

When zoomed out to less than 66.7% Photoshop uses 8 bit previews to composite the image (even when the document is in 16 bit). At 66.7% or above then 16 bit is used in a 16 bit document. In addition at less than 100% pixels are merged within layers before layers are blended. In most images the difference is negligible but in some it stands out significantly.

The only fully accurate preview is 100% zoom, where every pixel is blended fully at the bit depth of the document.

These only affect the preview. When a document is flattened then all image pixels are used at full bit depth and therefore the result matches the 100% zoom preview.

Dave

[rytch]

Thanks I sort of realized that but your explanation clarifies things. I never expected such an enormous difference.

[rytch]

Found a solution -- merging the texture layer and exlusion layer solved the problem.