Merging layers in Painter 8

[Chris Beatrice]

I've always had trouble merging layers in Painter like I can do easily in PShop. I know you need to group the layers you want to "merge", then collapse the group, but often the "collapse" option is grayed out (unavailable) for the group I want to collapse. I think this may be because different layers within the group use different composite methods (e.g. one is "default" and one is a gel layer). A quick test recreates this problem:

-Make two new layers above the canvas
-Group them
-Select the group and access the Layers palette - the "collapse" option is grayed out

This one stupid thing causes me to have to quit Painter and open Photoshop a lot when doind adjustments!

Is there anything I can do to get around this?

[Jin]

Hi Chris,

This problem has been largely fixed in Painter IX, with the exception of Watercolor Layers that have to be treated differently.

In Painter 8, as long as you don't mind including the Canvas in the final result, close all Layers you don't want to "merge", then use File > Clone to make an exact copy of what's visible on your working image.

On the Clone, use Ctrl/Command+A to select the entire image.

On your working image, paste the copied Clone, then drag the pasted Clone Layer to the bottom of the Layers list.

close the Eye icons for the Layers that were included in the Clone or delete them if you're sure you won't need them anymore.

If you can tell us exactly what combinations of Layers you're trying to Group and Collapse, include each of their Composite Methods, and tell us what's on the Canvas, there's another fairly easy workaround you may be able to use.


Jinny