Working on two layers

**dindon** · February 21st, 2006, 05:15 PM

I tried to work on two layers simultaneously, and apparently it is impossible... ? I just can't figure out how to apply anything to two (or more) layers without doing it individually! For example, I wanted to erase things on two layers at once... Selecting two layers at the same time (shift or ctrl-click) makes nothing but the move tool work. Linking two layers does absolutely nothing except allow me to move two layers together. In order to use a tool like the brush, I have to select one of the linked layers, and the effect of that tool only applies to the active layer and not both.

Am I missing something or is this just impossible with PS?

**Idiot Apathy** · February 21st, 2006, 05:54 PM

I'm confused, why would you want to do this?

It seems to me that any case in which you would want to erase two layers or paint on two layers you might as well just merge the two layers together and work on one.

I guess you might have a small part that you want to keep seperate, maybe you should copy that into it's own layer perhaps.

I dunno, wierd question.

**dindon** · February 22nd, 2006, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by Idiot Apathy

I'm confused, why would you want to do this?

It seems to me that any case in which you would want to erase two layers or paint on two layers you might as well just merge the two layers together and work on one.

I guess you might have a small part that you want to keep seperate, maybe you should copy that into it's own layer perhaps.

I dunno, wierd question.

I had two layers set on "soft light", to get a stronger effect. I don't know how or if you can merge layers while preserving the effect of two blending modes on top of each other. I wanted to erase parts to get some background through, which meant erasing parts of both layers.

**redehlert** · February 22nd, 2006, 09:23 PM

Have you tried to put the two layers into a folder and then create a layer mask for the folder. You can then erase away within the folder's layer mask and anything within that folder will also be erased. But not really....it's a layer mask! No pixels harmed.

Not sure about the paint on multiple layers idea.
Hope that helps get you on the right path.

Cheers,
Dave

**dindon** · March 7th, 2006, 01:54 AM

Originally Posted by redehlert

Have you tried to put the two layers into a folder and then create a layer mask for the folder. You can then erase away within the folder's layer mask and anything within that folder will also be erased. But not really....it's a layer mask! No pixels harmed.

Not sure about the paint on multiple layers idea.
Hope that helps get you on the right path.

Cheers,
Dave

This solves my problem, thank you for your help!

**redehlert** · March 7th, 2006, 02:45 AM

my pleasure to assist!
cheers!
d

**Kei-th** · March 7th, 2006, 04:05 PM

Merging would also have worked..

**Emn1ty** · March 7th, 2006, 06:18 PM

yes, it would. If i rememeber correctly, when you merge the layes, it pretty much retians the affect of the one above it. So all you would have to do is set the top layer to soft light, then merge, and set the merged layer to soft light and it should look the same. But i might be mistaken.