Merge two layers or groups, Merge layers in a clipping mask, Merge all visible layers and groups in an image – Adobe Photoshop CS4 User Manual
Page 304: Stamp multiple layers or linked layers, Stamp all visible layers, Flatten all layers
297
USING PHOTOSHOP CS4
Layers
Last updated 1/10/2010
Merge two layers or groups
1
Make sure that the layers and groups you want to merge are visible.
2
Select the layers and groups you want to merge.
3
Choose Layer
> Merge Layers.
Note: You can merge two adjacent layers or groups by selecting the top item and then choosing Layer
> Merge Layers.
You can merge linked layers by choosing Layer
> Select Linked Layers, and then merging the selected layers. You can
merge two 3D layers by choosing Layer
> Merge Layers; they will share the same scene and the top layer will inherit the
bottom layer 3D properties (the camera views must be the same for this to be enabled).
Merge layers in a clipping mask
1
Hide any layers that you do not want to merge.
2
Select the base layer in the clipping mask. The base layer must be a raster layer.
3
Choose Merge Clipping Mask from the Layers menu or the Layers panel menu.
For more information on clipping masks, see “
Mask layers with clipping masks
Merge all visible layers and groups in an image
❖
Choose Merge Visible from the Layers panel or the Layers panel menu. All layers showing an eye icon
are
merged.
Note: A visible layer must be selected to enable the Merge Visible command.
Stamp multiple layers or linked layers
When you stamp multiple selected layers or linked layers, Photoshop creates a new layer containing the merged
content.
1
Select multiple layers.
2
Press Ctrl+Alt+E (Windows) or Command+Option+E (Mac
OS).
Stamp all visible layers
1
Turn visibility on for the layers you want to merge.
2
Press Shift+Ctrl+Alt+E (Windows) or Shift+Command+Option+E (Mac
OS).
Photoshop creates a new layer containing the merged content.
Flatten all layers
Flattening reduces file size by merging all visible layers into the background and discarding hidden layers. Any
transparent areas that remain are filled with white. When you save a flattened image, you cannot revert back to the
unflattened state; the layers are permanently merged.
Note: Converting an image between some color modes flattens the file. Save a copy of your file with all layers intact if you
want to edit the original image after the conversion.
1
Make sure that all the layers you want to keep are visible.
2
Choose Layer
> Flatten Image, or choose Flatten Image from the Layers panel menu.