AP-Mac Merge adjustment layer with multiple layers below? Preview not same as final result.

[Daniel Geiger]

I try to permanently merge one adjustment layer with multiple layers below. Preview and final merge result are different. AP 2.3.0 on iMac Pro 2.3GHz 18 core running Ventura 13.6.1.

Picture 1-2. Group of layers with adjustment layer affecting all layers in the group. Picture 1 with adjustment layer off.

Picture 2 with adjustment layer on. Adjustment is showing on all layers. So far so good. 

Picture 3. Clicked merge on the levels adjustment layer (adjustment layer disappears), but the adjustment is only applied to top layer. ??? The preview adjustments are not carried through to all layers below. It does not matter whether I put the layers in group or not. 

I have to duplicate adjustment layer (command-J), drag it down on top of each layer (or make it a child layer), then merge each adjustment layer individually. Rather convoluted. How can I apply the adjustment layers to all layers below, to get the preview effect permanently? I fully understand the advantages of on-the-fly adjustment layers. Here I want to permanently burn it in, but keep elements in separate layers (merging image layers, then separating elements again is not the solution). Thanks.

[firstdefence]

Instead of using an adjustment layer, which will not work for you the way you want it too

Use Develop Persona...

• Select all the layers
• Click on the Develop Persona Icon
• Adjust the exposure levels, see image below for possible exposure settings and then hit Develop.

This will change all the layers but still keep them separate.

[Daniel Geiger]

Thanks firstdefense. Tried it. It sort of works. However, the adjustment layer cannot be taken over to Develop persona. Additionally if I select multiple layers in Photo, then go to Develop, only the top layer is showing in Develop. So fine adjustments that take subtleties in each layer into account, are not possible. I guess I could write down the values determined in Photo, take those to Develop and numerically adjust. But particularly Levels is not available in Develop. Could get equivalent effects with other adjustments, but those are not necessarily available in Photo.

So while the Develop approach works with multiple layers, it has other issues. Not a good, clean solution either, sorry!

My main surprise is the preview and merge are not giving same result in Photo. Very odd.

[firstdefence]

If you layout the images in an array you will see them all and so you will see the realtime effects of the adjust but you also have Curves under the Tone Tab and any adjustments can be saved to a preset if you have similar images but the oddity is there are no numerical co-ordinates for the curve tab so it's guesswork if you want to mimic a curves adjustment from Photos pixel persona. So in the last image I posted, all those layers were visible and all the images on those layers were editable with exposure and curves., you can also isolate any of those images by using the overlay tab.

I know this isn't ideal but unfortunately until an adjustment filter can be merged to a group of layers it's the only solution I can think of unless anyone else has a better workflow.

Forgot to add you can also use the Details tab to increase the detail and reduce noise which can give a nice effect.