combining objects in a layer

Sorry for a newbie question, but I thought I could get a quick answer here. I'm going through some tutorials and I'm trying to make an object using some shapes. I'm putting them all in the same layer. I have my object, but now I want to add some layer styles (beveled edges). When I go to apply them, I only do it to one of the 3 shapes that make up my object. How do I combined all the shapes to make an object, so that I can then apply the effect? I'm on PS7.

thanks

If the effect only shows up one one of the 3 shapes, they're not on the same layer.
Are you using vector or bitmap shapes?
Try right clicking on the layer (in the palette) and clicking rasterize layer. Do this for all 3, then link the layers and merge them (Layers: Merge Linked), then apply the layer style.

Hi there,

another posibilities is to ctrl + click the layer that contains all the shapes, then go to channels window and press new channel from selection, an there you are. You have a selection made form combining all the shapes. Then go back to layer window, create a new layer and fill it with coour. Double click and play...

Adrian.

Thanks for the help, I did figure things out, but those methods I think are better. Another problem. I'm trying to "Load path as selection" by hitting button which is located at the Path Palette.

Once the selection has been loaded, just go back to the layers palette then select the pattern then hit the delete key to make the cut. This is from this tutorial .

When I do that, it doesn't make the cut in the object. I don't know if it is because I'm using PS7 and things are a little different. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

Make sure you are the rigth layer (and the lyer is selected, sometime when you go to the Path palet you leavr your layer.

Try ther Backward key it also delete.

Also is you patyh closed, make sure it is...

thanks so much for the help!