Why do I want to:

[Hankw]

In following some of the tutorials it tells me to merge with/or down before doing the next step. Is this a way of using less layers? Or by merging with... you will get a different result than using another layer for the next step.

[vawitt]

Depends on what you are doing, I guess. I often make a frame on one layer, and then merge the frame with the photo so I can easily move the two around as one. Also, if you are trying to work around some shortcomings (like putting shadows in two directions), merging down or merging layers "locks in" the effects you've put on a layer so you can apply more without overriding or undoing the first effect.

Interesting question. I'm looking forward to seeing other responses.

~Val in chilly IL

[JohnnyN]

Hank, you have a good question that I also would like to know.

Val, your answer was also very good and I understand what and why you do some of the things you do.

i once had one of my students tell me that she knew how to get the correct answer but she wanted to know why she needed to know all the steps. It really made me think about all the things I taught. This element program and tutorials often makes me ask "why" I am doing some of the steps and what do they really do.

I also am waiting for the replies.

[kevq]

You can always link the layers, then you can alter as required and if it goes wrong you can unlink and try again.
Kev.

[TonyW]

I think it all depends on the particular tutorial - I've seen some where all the merge down does is reduce the number of layers and you'd get exactly the same result by not merging down - and there are others where merging is needed to have the next step work right. So I don't think there's a one answer fits all :)

Tony

[Hankw]

OK, Thanks.
Next time I get that merge layer thing I might try a layer instead and see what happens. It might just kick me back to version 2.0 and tell me to start over.:)