First Post, need layer help

[ENder]

Hey everyone, brand new to the forum seems awesome so far

I'm up and coming in photoshop, learning a lot very quickly but im getting hung up on one question, and I don't know the right way to ask it, which makes it very hard to find the answer. To set the scene a little, think neon lights, white lines with a Blend: Color overlay, but I DONT want that color to land on the rest of the image. Example:

Layer A (bright colors with Blend:color)
Layer B (white lines to be colored with Layer A)
Layer C (something that I do NOT want the colors from A to touch.)

The things ive tried:
alt-click the line between the two layers, i dont know what that is supposed to do but i saw it in a video and it seemed like a decent idea

group the two, and hope the group excluded things below it

the "Blend If" on the bottom of the Blending window, with the black and white slider bars, I sort of understand how it works but I dont think its what im after.

I just need a switch that says "only blend this layer with the layer DIRECTLY below it"

Im using CS4 Version 11 if that matters

thank you for your help in advance

[Medley]

Right-click on the top layer, and select "create clipping mask" from the options. The effects will be confined ("clipped") to the layer directly beneath it.

- Joe U.

[ENder]

I appreciate the prompt response, but that didnt seem to work for me

check out the attachment. the effect that it is already showing on the middle layer, but also on the bottom layer, i want it only on the middle layer. If i apply a clipping mask, it doesnt even seem to affect the middle layer with Blending mode:color, the only effect that works is Blending mode: normal, and that just masks the layer above it with the shape of layer 2

http://www.filefront.com/14631227/helpclipping.psd

[iDad]

YOU HAVE TOP LAYER SET TO COLOR SET IT TO NORMAL

[ENder]

but i want the look that it gives by setting it to color, that hot neon feel, it doesnt look as good with other blending modes

[iDad]

Isn't it hiding the effect your looking to achieve though?......I think I'm not understanding your situation, sorry.

[ENder]

If you open the file, look at the effect that the blend:color gives. when you apply the clipping mask and go to blending:normal, you loose the lighting effect

[iDad]

still not following sorry, when you apply lighting effect try increasing the intensity level.
I think I'm confused I am trying to follow using a Mac, terms are different.I see no loss here

[ENder]

hmm, maybe i have some kind of setting wrong?

check these out, see if there is something that would cause it to mess up maybe?

[ENder]

bump

[iDad]

from what I see both layers are 100% opacity and Fill which ever is on top is blocking the other

[iDad]

you also need to remove the background in order to apply filters or styles