from what i can gather is the intended course of action: 1> select the layer with the ring (select all channels - switch to the channels tab and click on RGB) 2> filter render-->lighting effects 3> adjust the other light parameters as you want. there'll be a field where you can specify a channel you want the filter to use as a bump map. inthis you would want to load the channel you had tweaked earlier with curves (Alpha 1 i guess) 4> adjust the parameters and apply. experiment to get the effect you desire. 5> post back here if further help is required. :-D