"Flatten" blend layer

[Sharkcellar]

Is it possible to flatten/render a single layer that has a blend mode applied to it? For example, I have a layer set to Overlay, I like how it looks and instead of merging it with the layers below and copying, then backing out (undoing) and pasting into a new layer, I just want to render that Overlay layer as is without going through the whole merge+copy process. Is this doable?

[Portus]

You can "clip" it, in the middle of the layers press "Alt", this will change the cursor and you'll be able to group the layers, then merge it down.

[Sharkcellar]

Huh? I don't get a cursor change when I hold ALT. The point of my query is that I'm wondering is there a way to render a single layer, as is, from say and Overlay layer to a Normal layer that looks EXACTLY like the way it looked as an Overlay layer WITHOUT merging?

[Portus]

What you're asking defeats the purpose of layer modes, how would that work?

You have to have the cursor in the middle of the layers, then press "Alt", clipping masks is a little known feature that's actually very useful, specially with effects.

[JohnMalcolm1970]

There's no way to magically convert a Overlay (or any other) layer into a Normal layer and have it look exactly the same.

Istead of all that merging, copying, undoing and pasting, just hit CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+E which will create a new composite layer at the top of the layer stack.

I normally just use CTRL+SHIFT+C as I can then paste a composite in or create a new document to place it in.

[Sharkcellar]

JohnMalcolm1970,

Thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for!

Portus,

I finally figured out what you were trying to say. A more accurate description of the clipping mask trick is to put the cursor on the line that separates layers in the layers palette while holding down the ALT key. A good tip! I'll hafta remember this one in the future.