Multi-layered image alters when flattened

[nitamac]

Never had this happen to me before. 9 different adjustment layers. Nothing unusual in that. When I flatten the image it becomes dark and uninteresting. No idea what can be the cause.

Any ideas?

[pixelzombie]

are any of the layers turned off?

[0lBaldy]

I dunno either but instead of flattening.. why not just select the top layer and do a (Shft+Ctrl+Alt+N+E) to copy/stamp everything visible to a new layer (rename it "combined layer" or something you can relate to later) then go to History>New Document, then flatten if you feel you have to! (That way you do not lose any work you have already done!)

[madclark]

Are any of your layers in a different blend mode than normal? When you merge down, they can revert to normal. Have you tried "Merge Visible" rather than flatten?

[DannyRaphael]

Been there, done that...Here's what I learned: According to Adobe engineer-type folks, when viewing a multi-layer image (with adjustment layers and/or using blend modes) at something other than "actual pixels," you get an approximation of the final outcome.

Try viewing at 100% before flattening. Should look the same when flattened.

[yongur]

the answer is simple (I saw that a couple of times):

Your image is not altered, it is only the screen preview that changes. Try and flatten your image while watching it at a 100% scale, and you will see that it doesn't really change. this is the only preview that counts, if you zoom out' things might appear to change, but that is only the the sampling-for-preview-purposes that you see. That is , of course, if you really FLATTEN IMAGE and not only merge some of the layer.

[Markzebra]

Yes that problem has now been resolved with CS4 - it now uses the graphics card to resample screen view on the fly.

[nitamac]

Thank you all for suggestions. Will use the info contained therein!!