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

CheeseOnToast · Aug 2010

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 · Aug 2010

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

Eric Chadwick · Aug 2010

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 · Aug 2010

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 · Aug 2010

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

CheeseOnToast · Aug 2010

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

cw · Aug 2010

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 · Aug 2010

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 · Aug 2010

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 · Aug 2010

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

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

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