How do I maintain layer effects when flattening image?

[artd]

Hi dg5to,

Just a thought but maybe worth mentioning. I've had problems in the past working with several layers that contain different blending modes and/or effects. I've noticed that if I'm viewing the document at a reduced size (say 25% for example) and use Merge Visible, things often appear to change. However, if I viewed the document at 100%, both before and after using Merge Visible, I see that there was actually no change. Somehow, the reduced size made it look like things changed when in reality they didn't So, what I'm suggesting is...

1) Definitely use "Merge Visible" instead of merging each layer down.
2) Don't Flatten the layer or you'll lose the transparency.
3) Compare the before and after with the document at 100%

This may or may not help but I think it's something you should at least check out. By the way, when I need help I think I'll look for Isick, his determination to help you is very admirable!

[dg5to]

Thanks for the suggestion, artd, I'll double check as you may be right ... My canvas is pretty large and it likely was a reduced size!

And I agree, Isick has been extremely helpful and I definitely appreciate his efforts!

[ktpie3]

I feel sorry for the person who posted this question initially because it was never resolved. I've been crawling the whole web looking for an answer to this riddle and I keep finding where people are having this problem, but it consistently goes unresolved.

I'm having the same exact problem.

I'm going to do a screen print of what's going on with my image and see if this doesn't help anyone here to understand what is happening.

This is what I WANT my image to look like (this is the .psd)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/ ... em-psd.jpg

This is what happens if I flatten it, or save as .jpg or as .png. It doesn't matter what I do, the effects are ruined.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/ ... pg-png.jpg

Look at the orbs - they look horrible.

Thanks, in advance, if this ever finally gets resolved!

[ktpie3]

P.S. "Merge Visible" does not work either. I took away the view for all layers that did not contain effects, and only left the effects layers visible. Then, I chose "merge visible" and the effects were still ruined. I should've pointed that out in my initial post. I apologize.

I'd love to see this get resolved. I have to submit my fairy series in just a couple of days. Eek!