Layer styles vanish when psd image flattened

[John Wasserman]

I'm working with a pshop7 A3 300dpi poster file with a bunch of layers, some of which are type layers with applied layer effects (bevel & emboss) to produce a chiselled gold type effect.

When I flatten all visible layers, or merge linked layers, the layer effects all but vanish - the type reverts to a flat look. I've messed around trying to solve this problem with no luck.

This bevel effect loss happens when I try to render the layered psd file as a jpg, or when I attempt to merge several linked type layers - whether they are pre-rasterized or not.

I don't remember this 'lossy' rendering happening before. The file is about 125MB in size & I'm using WinME with 800MB Ram.

Many thanks for any help.

John

[Ed A. Ortiz]

>This bevel effect loss happens when I try to render the layered psd file

as a jpg, or when I attempt to merge several linked type layers - whether
they are pre-rasterized or not.<<




I'd duplicate the document, make a new layer at the top of the stack, and hide the layers I don't want to merge and hit Ctrl + Alt + Shft + E.

[John Wasserman]

Thanks Ed - did that. New layer shows the same absence of the original bevel layer effects on type.

The outer glow effect transfers ok, not bevel/emboss.

[YrbkMgr]

John,

Two things: first, are you evaluating the image at 100% mag? Second, try flattening the image instead of merging.

Peace,
Tony

[Ed A. Ortiz]

I dunno John,

Have you tried merging layer by layer to see where the problem occurs?

Sometimes I make a new blank layer over the layer with the effect and merge just the two. I've never had problems with layer styles, but sometimes blending modes act funny when merging. That's how I deal with it.

I tried to duplicate the situation, but couldn't find anything.

[YrbkMgr]

If you do not view at 100% it definately appears as though styles, effects, etc. are lost, but at 100% they are definately there.

Someone suggested, in this forum some time ago, a bug in merging and said that it did not exist when flattening, hence to always flatten. I have not seen it myself, but if you are viewing at 100% mag and see a problem with styles/effects, then try flattening to see if they are preserved.

Peace,
Tony

[John Wasserman]

The 'view at 100%' is the solution - simple. Thanks for that. Because this was an A3 sized file, I did all my original layer effect adjustments at a 25% or less to fit the whole image on my monitor. That was a mistake.

As you suggested, when I upped it to 100% and then adjusted the effects, they were retained when any of the merging and flattening processes were applied.

An easy trap to fall into. Great to have your help!

John