Golf Ball Tutorial Help

[Prankster945]

The Tutorial (http://www.photoshopcafe.com/tutorials/Golf_Ball/Golf_ball.htm#top)
Im all good doing it until i get to step 7. Thats the part thats really upsetting me.
"16. Create a new layer, hold down alt, and merge visible. This will be our rendering channel. Select all, copy, create a new channel, and paste.
17. Hit RGB composite, and go back to the merged layer
18. Press Shift-Delete and fill with 50% Grey"
im pretty sure i did 16 right the channel,RGB,and 50% grey are confusing can you guys please help.:D

[Phil_The_Rodent]

You should have completed 16 with four channels. R, G, B, and Alpha1.

The RGB composite is at the top of the channel list (this is not a channel, but the composite of R, G, and B).

50% Grey is accessible as a fill option when you press Shift-Backspace.

[Prankster945]

should the alpha channel be "the same" as layer 2
Should i have 3 layers and 4 channels?
i know how to get the 50% gray but do i put it on the channel or layer



[Edited on 16-2-2003 by Prankster945]

[Phil_The_Rodent]

The channel should look like figure 6.

You should have the following layers:
Layer 3 (composite, and then grey)
Layer 2 (pattern fill dots and gradient)
Layer 1 (the original circle)
Background

You should have the following channels:
RGB
R
G
B
Alpha 1

The first step of this is creating a map, so at some point, yes, you will transfer your map to your channels. At this point, what is happenning on your canvas and on Alpha 1 are the same. There are easier ways to do this if you're wondering, but I chose to take the clearest route...

Rendering lighting effects works best on a grey layer (I've found). So layer 3 becomes grey before rendering lights. When you select the RGB composite in step 17, you are no longer working in channels but back in your layers.