Not sure how the dissolve effect is accomplished, but it could be that you need layers to do this. If you flatten it the layers are gone. If you save in as jpeg, layers are gone. Several formats will save layers including TIFF and PSD.
could you post some screenshots with the effect still in place and one where it’s gone?(having the history panel visible would also help) it would help us better understand your problem
I am not sure how to get a screenshot posted on this forum but my project has a bunch of layers and two of the layers has a dissolve effect (the dissolve effect is found in the layers pallet using the pulldown menu where there is normal, DISSOLVE, darken, multiply, color burn, linear burn etc…) but when I go to merge, flatten, or save as a jpg or gif it removes my effect. I can’t have the history panel visible because the history only has blending changes visible so I am not sure how you would even see all of the history.
I have a screenshot of the two one on top of the other with the effect and without but I don’t know how to post it here. Sorry I am not better at this.
Upload them to www.imageshack.us When you’ll get the option of which link to chose, pick the first one (direct link to image) and just copy/paste them here
By the way Frances, what you are referring to is called the "blending mode".
in the layer palette at bottom >>>click the little "fx" for effects palette
select blending mode
there is a drop down with choices that governs how the effects layers will be applied when blended
( in your case it should already say dissolve)
under that is some check boxes
tick off >>>>>blend interior effects as a group
OR
an easy work around
select all> edit>copy merged
file > new>paste
save that image as the final
