Opacity Problem

[mapal]

I hope someone can help me. I created a "group layer" for panel lines, then sub group layers for different areas of the aircraft, Fuselage, wings etc. The problem is after I set my fuselage panel lines to: opacity for the blk panel lines to Overlay, 30% white to overlay 50%. I then made another sub group for rudder panel lines with the same settings. I went back to my fuselage panel lines and noticed that the opacity was at 100% but the lines were showing at the 30%. What did I do wrong? Is there a way to correct this, the way it is I can't make the fuselage panel lines darker if I needed too. If this sounds confusing I can add a shot of what I have. I use Photoshop CS3.

[adlabs6]

I'm not familiar with layer groups. Hopefully someone who is can figure it out.

[BLOWHARD]

Did you merge layers? If you've got 2 30% layers and you merge them the new layer becomes 100%. It's really easy to do if you're not paying attention to that particular layer. I do it all the time :P
If you are merging layers, make sure they're at 100% before merging, then you can drop the opacity down.

[mapal]

Thanks Blowhard, I think thats exactly what I did. I forgot a panel line and added it, then merged lower to the other lines. I didn't know it made it 100%. Do I have to redraw the panel lines or is there a fix if I want to make them darker?

[BLOWHARD]

[gamary]

It's really easy to do if you're not paying attention to that particular layer. I do it all the time :P

Same for me. Something of a nuisance, too.

[mapal]

Thanks all for your help mates, I really appreciate it. Luckely I just remembered that I saved the template with my first panel lives. I guess you should always save the original before you start plaing with opacity and filters, just in case. I appreciate this forum and all those who help. It has really assisted me in learning to use Photoshop, Thanks.

[Kamikuza]

If PS is like PSP then when you merge the 2x 30% layers, you get a new layer at 100% opacity but the panel lines etc are actually only 60% or so ... or perhaps 60% of black ie. opaque but gray.
... actually no, the more I think about it the more I'm sure the opacities are combined and although the new layer is 100% the original opacities are the same. At least, it is in PSP. It can be useful, cos you can merge a number of layers and retain their original, relative opacities but control it with just one layer. Of course you can do the same with the group
Also, in PSP opacities within a 100% layer group are not the same as if they were outside the layer group, at the same opacity. So a 30% layer in a 100% group will look different to a 30% layer outside. I think it's the way the opacities are applied within the group and to stuff outside the group. Not enough to make it worth not using groups though IMO