Two-toned text tutorial for PSCS

[andyapc]

I'm working my way through this one - I'm trying Method 2. I've actually got my two-toned text done (yippeeeee!) but I'm having trouble merging my layers.

I searched through some prior threads because I know Emma and I had discussed this before, and found this thread:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2581&highlight=flattening+layers

I am only working with 2 layers of text on my canvas. I have my upper layer active, but I don't have a "Merge Down" option under Layer. I have Merge Visible or Merge Linked. Should I choose Merge Linked? What if I had several layers going on and some of them were linked with my text, but I only wanted the text layers merged - wouldn't I need to have the option of Merge Down in that case? Am I looking in the wrong place?

[jamie]

In order to merge a text layer down, the text layer has to be Rasterized. I can't remember offhand where that is in PS and I don't have the program at work ... I think its under "Layer" ... maybe someone else can point you right to it?

[andyapc]

I already rasterized both layers of text (it said to do that in the tutorial) and I still don't have "merge down" as an option. :(

[Emma]

Merge Down is only an option on layers that aren't linked. Once you link a layer, you can only do Merge Linked. So either unlink everything you don't want merged, or unlink them all and choose Merge Down. The keyboard shortcut is the same, even, Ctrl-E

[Emma]

forgot to mention, you don't have to rasterize text to merge it with other layers. It will become raster if you merge it, so the same result, just not a separate step.

[andyapc]

OK - I unlinked the layers and was able to merge down. Looks pretty decent, if I do say so myself!

Another tutorial finished - only a couple hundred more to go.