Layers in CS4

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Simone
Edit My Images
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I'm editing a photo using CS4 and using a different layer for each retouch. For example one for hue/saturation, one for skin retouches etc but I'm getting confused about what order they go in.

When I try to sharpen using a separate layer this only shows if it's at the top of the list and then it hides all the other layers. :thinking:

Does this make sense and what am I doing wrong? Do I have to merge before sharpening? The skin alterations still show when below the hue/sat layer. :bang:
:help:
 
You can group layers together and use the group...
 
All you have to do is highlight the background layer Then sharpen. You can't sharpen Any layer that has no pixels.
I take it you are using adjustment layers....

If you are getting confused as to the layers , you should name them, when you make them.
 
I'm using a copy of the background layer (and tried using the original) but only shows if it's at the top then all the other layers become invisible (although the are not marked to be invisible).

Thanks for such quick replies.
 
Is the background layer set as a normal layer?
 
I figured out to make a new layer with another retouch I duplicated the layer I just edited instead of the background one again.

Is that how it's supposed to be done then?
 
It depends on what your doing, without seeing your layer palette it's tricky to guess at what you're doing / missing / doing wrong.

For my retouching workflow all of the layers that go above the background layer are adjustment layers masked accordingly, not copies of the layer with adjustments applied.

Only when I get to the point of applying localised sharpening to I do a merge visible, which essentially creates a new layer on top of all the previous layers, that I then use for HP sharpening.
 
Terrywoodenpic said:
All you have to do is highlight the background layer Then sharpen. You can't sharpen Any layer that has no pixels.
I take it you are using adjustment layers....

If you are getting confused as to the layers , you should name them, when you make them.
Click to expand...

Then all the sharpening is beneath the adjustments, any cloning done wouldnt get sharpened and there's bound to be a whole heap of other issues.

Better to merge visible then sharpen that layer.
 
Shift+Opt+Cmd+E, or Shift+Alt+Ctrl+E on a PC is stamp visible, that will combine all your layers and stick a new one on top that you can sharpen, whilst still keeping all your layers intact underneath should you want to go back.

Sharpening's generally the last step though, so flatten it, resize it for whatever you're doing with it and sharpen for the specific use (screen, print at whatever size, etc). Just don't save over your master file with all the layers. :)
 
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