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I Want.... Layer > Rasterize > Style


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Welles

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I'm going nuts trying to figure out an action or any command which will allow me to take a layer with a complex style applied and 'rasterize' the effects. This comes in handy when you have to apply a plugin to the result. Understandably many plugins won't work on a layer with a style applied. I tried adding a new layer and merge down. No go. Linking doesn't work. Making layers doesn't always work although with a single simple effects followed by merge down it does.

I have a project with twenty layers which need this and I've changed my mind on the original style 4 times so far which means 80 repeats of New Layer, Link to Style's Layer and Merge Linked...aargh!

Am I missing something obvious, or does anyone have a clever idea?

Thanks,
Welles
[confused]
 
Not positive I understood completely :) ,but how about make a new layer,hold down Opt {alt windows}and select merge visible from the side menu?
 
This particular image has 34 layers, twenty of which have layer styles applied and then need to be 'rasterized' before I can run a plugin on each of the layers. To achieve my goal via merge visible, I would have to turn off 33 other layers. The most simple technique I know to date is to add a new layer, link it to the layer I wish to 'rasterize' and merge the two. I want an action to which I can apply a key command so the process is automatic.

Actually what I want is a Layer > Rasterize > Styles command available from the Layer menu which I could then apply a key command. Presently, that's not an option.

Is that any clearer or am I still too obscure? \:]
 
Welles, Just take a merged snapshot and put it into a new layer or document.
Variations:
1. Select All, Copy Merged, (New document), Paste.
2. New Layer, Alt Merged Visible.
3. Snapshot function from the History menu. (I think \:] )

I use method 1 quite often, record as an action and assign a hotkey.
Wheech! Done!

Cheers Al.

Ah! Noticed new requirement.

Build the effect up in Layer Sets, gives a bit of layer control for on & off.
It think it should be possible to create an automated repeatable action for what you want.
I'll see if I can figure something.

Cheers again, Al.
 
Right-click on the "f" icon on the layer and choose "Create Layer(s)".

I suggest though that first you put your layer into a group layer so that when it expands, all the effect layers are contained and easy to see.

Is this what you're talking about? :B
 
Rantin Al,

A merged snapshot takes a pic of the entire image, yes? I want to keep all my layers editable not create a new image.

Here's what Im after. I take layer 22 (just as an example) and apply a complex layer style. Now I want to run a plugin on layer 22. It won't work on a layer with 'live' styles. I have to rasterize the style prior to running the plugin which is my next step. I still need layer 22 to be an individual layer at that time for there is further manipulation required after the plugin is run.

Thanks for your thoughts (and Kiwi's too.)
 
Hi Mark,

Sort of...

Basically what I want to do is create layers and then merge them all so I have one layer to which I intend to apply a plugin. I want to do it with one command because on this particular piece I've repeated New Layer then linking it to the styled layer and merged the linked layers about 80 times. This happens to be an action I perform a great deal so I want a short cut.
 
Web conferencing. :bustagut: Well done Mark

Order, Order, One singer one song. ;)

2. New layer > Alt Merged Visible will put the snapshot into the new layer but will leave the original styled layer editable.
 
[quote="Rantin Al"2. New layer > Alt Merged Visible will put the snapshot into the new layer but will leave the original styled layer editable.[/quote]

Yes, but don't I then have to manipulate the visibility of the layers? In a multi layer document that becomes a chore.

Perhaps I'm not describing what I'm after very well but I don't want multiple steps. I can achieve exactly what I'm after with two key commands and one mouse click now. I want to get it down to one key command.
 
For the visibility factor, select the layer and Show/ Hide the layers.
Alternatively, include "hide snapshot" at the end of the action sequence.

If you already have the commands, just record them as an action and assign a custom hotkey.

I'm trying to figure at the moment how to automate the "step to next layer" without having to specify the number of layers. So that it would work for any number of layers.

Al.
 
Rantin Al,

I'm very dense today but I can't see how your suggestion addresses my desires. If any manipulation is more complex than two key strokes and one mouse click, it is more complex that the technique I currently use. I can't make sense out of how any use of snapshots benefits me at all.

I do apologize but I must be very slow today. }P

PS I just heard from Jeff Schewe, one of Adobe's PS engineers and he didn't come up with anything better than what I was doing.
 
Welles, I think we are both up too late for this type of thing. ;)
Maybe we are talking at cross purposes here.

I presumed that you wanted to retain the Styled Layer, therefore my suggestion for the snapshot option.

I discovered that you shouldn't use the select all, copy merged and paste for this, it centres the paste into the centre of the layer. You should use New Layer plus Alt+merge visible instead.

I think I may also have overcomplicated this by trying to rasterize each and every layer in one go?

For speeding up the visibility chore, Control+click on the eye of the layer gives a contextual for hide/ show other layers.
Is that any help?

Mmm.. 5.30-AM... must be coffee time.

Simplified it down to a hotkey of your choice.

Rasterize style layer:
Hides other layers and Style is applied to the layer and the original layer deleted, visibility of of all layers restored.

Just assign the hotkey of your choice.
Cheers Al.
 
Welles said:
Rantin Al,

I'm very dense today but I can't see how your suggestion addresses my desires. If any manipulation is more complex than two key strokes and one mouse click, it is more complex that the technique I currently use. I can't make sense out of how any use of snapshots benefits me at all.

I do apologize but I must be very slow today. }P

PS I just heard from Jeff Schewe, one of Adobe's PS engineers and he didn't come up with anything better than what I was doing.
Click to expand...



No problem Welles :) ,one of the reasons I dont write tutes is because I seem to be inept at finding the words to explain what I mean,misfiring neurons probably does not help matters either though on my part :D


Jeff Schewe,I love his PS photography work.He even still uses PS 4 at times {info in an article I read}



Hope you get it sorted :righton:
 
Nothing to add to the subject...
Jeff is not a PS engineer. He is a alpha tester, has a lot of influence on the new features, and is also a shareholder of Adobe...

Very good photographers, and he suggested a ton of valuable functions to PS!
 
Jeff is not a PS engineer. He is a alpha tester, has a lot of influence on the new features, and is also a shareholder of Adobe...
Click to expand...

Aha! Thanks!

Furthermore, I'm still chewing on this issue... my apologies. Rather than use the term Rasterize how about I say how can I Flatten an individual layer which has styles applied.

Here's an image. I want to go from A to B in one step so I can C. (Disclaimer...this is only a sample image, not a part of a real project ;) )

Sorry for the size but it was that or three attachments.
 
set up an action that creates a new layer, then merges with the following layer (the one with your styles), and assign a function key, so it is a one keystroke operation?
 
I tried that one but if you add a new layer and merge down the styles are left without 'flattening.' The only way I know is to add a new layer and link it to the styled layer and then use Layer > Merge Linked. That does flatten a styled layer but you have to go to the Layer's palette to link them so I can't create an action which is completely automatic with that technique.
 
Welles, Hide other layers > New layer > Merge Visible. (Instead of > Merge Linked)

As in my previously posted action. It also restores the visibility of any other layers.

Cheers, Al.
 
Rantin Al

You did it. :D

I'm still a little perplexed by an of issue, though. The first time I tried your action, I had taken it out of the enclosing action folder and dragged it to my actions. Then I trashed the stop you put in with the message. After doing that, when I tried to run the action, the Make Layer step brought up the New Layer properties dialog. As a result I gave up, thinking, "this isn't a one button solution." I should have kept experimenting! If I don't mess with your file except remove the stop/message it works perfectly. I've assigned my F Key and all is well.

I can't thank you enough for your patience with this thread and issue. You have, indeed done the impossible!

:righton:
 
8)) No problem Welles.

Check the modal settings in the action. The box beside the New Layer step should not be ticked. That will prevent the dialogue appearing.

PS, the action will work with a text layer as well. How's that for a bonus. ;)

Cheers, Al.
 
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