Merging and flattening

Merging layers combines multiple layers together. Pixel, vector, mask, adjustment or image layers can be merged into a new merged layer or into the first available pixel layer beneath it in the layer stack.

The entire document can also be flattened to produce a single-layer document.

Once layers have been merged, they become a single layer and their previous contents are no longer separately editable. There are several ways of merging layers.

Toggle Visibility To merge all visible layers:

In the Layers panel:

  1. Click Toggle Visibility to set the visibility of layers in the project.
  2. -click a layer and select Merge Visible.

A new layer is added one step above the selected layer. This layer is a merged copy of all visible layers.

To merge selected layers:
  1. On the Layers panel, select multiple layers using -click or -click.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • -click any selected layer and select Merge Selected.
    • From the Layer menu, select the same option.

The selected layers merge down into the lowest layer in the selection.

To merge a layer with a pixel layer below:

The selected layer merges with the first available pixel layer beneath it.

Toggle Visibility To create a copy of all visible layers merged:
  1. On the Layers panel, click Toggle Visibility to set the visibility of layers in the project.
  2. From the Edit menu, select Copy Merged.

A flattened version of the visible layers is added to the Clipboard.

To flatten all layers:

The document will then contain a single flattened layer.

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