[Photoshop] Flattening/preserving transparency of a "blend if" layer?

CheeseOnToast

Hey peeps,

I use the "blend if" layer modes a lot in PS, but I've still never found a way to convert the layer to one which has true transparent pixels. Flattening or merging with empty layers destroys the blend mode. Any suggestions?

airbrush

i've always wanted that as well, would be great to extract for masks.

Eric Chadwick

Only way I can think of is a manual repro of the effect, by copying what's in the layer (or the behind) and pasting that into a layer mask, then thresholding it.

Noors

create a new layer
select BOTH, new layer and your "blend if" layer
ctrl+e
then i guess you know how to create a mask from it

mmh it works for "this layer" but not for underlying layer

Eric Chadwick

I don't use Blend If, but the solution is cool nonetheless!

CheeseOnToast

Cheers Noors, I'll give that a shot. I tend to use "underlying layer" more often, but a partial success is still good

cw

If I am thinking of the same thing, have you tried merging down to an empty layer - i will go check this now - for some reason it popped into my head

[edit] no that didnt work! I shall tinker.

Vrav

It's a pretty manual hack, but works okay. Not sure if you can get a good selection in all situations. I guess this is basically what Eric said.

teaandcigarettes

Noors: thanks for the tips I will try it out later on. Being able to do that would rock; these days I can't do anything without using Blend If.

CodeFather

Try converting them to a smart object and then use "rasterize layer"