Help with layers

[theLustFull]

Hello
I'm using Photoshop c2, and having a few prblems with layers what i'm trying to do is place three picture files (.tagra) into three deifferent layers ie layer 1, layer 2, layer 3, so when i edit layer 3 the changes are implemented to both layers 2 and 1 , so i have opened a new page in photoshop and draged all three files into the layer window in the bottm right hand corner of the screen when i do this the files are loaded into three diferent screens (inside one instance of photoshop) all called back ground this is what i did't want to happen, i have also opened a new page the first layer being called "background" and click add new layer (a layer appears called layer 1) so i'm trying to add a picture to layer 1 above the layer called backgorund but when i drag or try to open a file that layer becomes the background layer.

Please help
Thanks
James

[Kotik]

I'm sorry if I did not fully understand what you are trying to get help with but here is a solution to what I think you are having issues with.

You have 3 different files (.tagra, never knew they existed). You want them to be in 1 window but on 3 different layers and you want to be able to apply changes to them at the same time, not having to do it individually on each layer.

Here is what you can do to solve your issue. Open all 3 files by 'File > Open'. You will now have 3 windows with each picture you opened. To merge them into one just press 'Ctrl + A' and click and drag the selection into the destination picture. What will happen is that you will get a new layer on that destination window with the picture. Note however that you might have to use the move tool (Shortcut key: V) to move the layer into place. When you have done the same with all the pictures and you have them all in place, shift click each and every layer and go to 'Layer > Smart Object > Convert to smart object'. What will happen is that it will merge the layers into one. Whatever filter or setting you now apply to them will be applied to them all together.

Note that if you at this point, when you apply something to a particular layer you can simply do it by double clicking the smart object layer picture to open them in a new window with the layers split apart.

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Kotik

[theLustFull]

Thank you Kotik! I never worked with photoshop before always used paint it worked , do you know what setting i need so i can edit though all layers at the same time (i.e paint over layer 3 which paints onto layer 1)

[theLustFull]

do you know what setting i need so i can edit though all layers at the same time (i.e paint over layer 3 which paints onto layer 1)

[Kotik]

You have the option to either merge the layers together from Layers > Merge or you can simply make a new layer (Ctrl + N) and draw on it without destroying the information on the orignal layers.

[theLustFull]

sorry i want to destroy the information on the other layers with not having to merge them i need them to be seperate layers\files after

Thanks
James