I was talking with gile about some chops and i was amazed how he do the chops with small number of layers (without merging them). My last few chops none of the chops is under 150 layers, and he do the chop with 20 layers. o.O My BMW M3 for stance competition have 225 layers, gile's Renault Twigo 19.
How much layers u guys need to finish your chop ?

I used to be like that, 100 of layers but then i would hardly change any of them so was just better just to merge the areas i am happy with and have a better running photoshop

Numbers of layers don't really matter in a chop, like Samvesters, he can start his chop with only 1 layer and only make more layers when trying to finish the details etc. Merging a layer is a good move actually, make you easier to find the layer you want when you make mistakes. Most of my chop got like 100 layer but I make grouping a lot.

im always over 500..never been below that nubmer..sometimes i go to 1000 and more..
it depends how you like it..

I've gone upwards on 1500+ on some chops.

Even I think that's extreme, and a bit unnecessary though.. There isn't really any need to have this many layers. It does have some benefit thought - Keeping elements separated across layers makes it easier to go back and customize and change an area if need be later on down the track. But that's a rarity, and even without maintaining the split layers, it's still possible to edit an area and change it to how you like it again anyway.

I think Duffers said it perfectly - once you're happy with a section, reduce the layer count by merging the layers down a bit. That's a good rule to work by. It means a smaller .psd filesize and will make Photoshop run more efficiently. Saving the file will be a lot quicker too.

i have noticed that usually when all is going well, i tend not to use too many layers really
i often keep bg (if i brush it) on separate layer, then ligths, dooretc lines on one, rims and tires on one and then cars body and interior on separate layers

so in that case i dont really use too many layers

I dont know how do u guys can manage with such many layers for me it is easier to work with smaller number off layers
here are some examples of my chop layers:
- black Twingo 19 layers
- blue audi RS5 27 layers
- red golf mk2 10 layers
- red golf mk5 22 layers
- and subaru for the battle has 9 layers for now
for me over 30-40 layers is allready to much
in fact think I have never went over 30 layers

I cant stand having so many layers , take forever to navigate thorough them all.
Doesn't help with my small 1280x800 size monitor and slow computer.

With full brushing you need alot more layers so they don't combine together and it's easier to find and edit each individual parts, I only merge when the panel Im brushing is 100% done.
Also I put things in folders, all the background bits, the base car, the c/p donors and the Brushed bits are all in separate folders

My Wtb Mazda 3 has 117 Layers.
My average is about 80-110 layers.

Jesus Christ! 1500+ ?! lol on my bentley suv there are only 20 layers..

Me like MK211, in every chop I have over 1000 layers. All light's refes, pixels are on the other layer