Flattening and saving files
When you finish editing all the layers in your image, you can merge or flatten layers
to reduce the file size. Flattening combines all the layers into a single background
layer. However, you cannot edit layers once you’ve flattened them, so you shouldn’t
flatten an image until you are certain that you’re satisfied with all your design decisions.
Rather than flattening your original PSD files, it’s a good idea to save a copy of
the file with its layers intact, in case you need to edit a layer later.
To appreciate what flattening does, notice the two numbers for the file size in the
status bar at the bottom of the image window. The first number represents what the
file size would be if you flattened the
image. The second number represents the
file size without flattening. This lesson file,
if flattened, would be about 2.29 MB, but
the current file is actually much larger—
about 27 MB. So flattening is well worth it
in this case.
1 Select any tool but the Type tool ( ), to be sure that you’re not in text-editing
mode. Then choose File > Save (if it is available) to be sure that all your changes
have been saved in the file.
2 Choose Image > Duplicate.
3 In the Duplicate Image dialog box, name the file 04Flat.psd, and click OK.
4 Leave the 04Flat.psd file open, but close the 04Working.psd file.
5 Choose Flatten Image from the Layers panel menu.
When you finish editing all the layers in your image, you can merge or flatten layers
to reduce the file size. Flattening combines all the layers into a single background
layer. However, you cannot edit layers once you’ve flattened them, so you shouldn’t
flatten an image until you are certain that you’re satisfied with all your design decisions.
Rather than flattening your original PSD files, it’s a good idea to save a copy of
the file with its layers intact, in case you need to edit a layer later.
To appreciate what flattening does, notice the two numbers for the file size in the
status bar at the bottom of the image window. The first number represents what the
file size would be if you flattened the
image. The second number represents the
if flattened, would be about 2.29 MB, but
the current file is actually much larger—
about 27 MB. So flattening is well worth it
in this case.
1 Select any tool but the Type tool ( ), to be sure that you’re not in text-editing
mode. Then choose File > Save (if it is available) to be sure that all your changes
have been saved in the file.
2 Choose Image > Duplicate.
3 In the Duplicate Image dialog box, name the file 04Flat.psd, and click OK.
4 Leave the 04Flat.psd file open, but close the 04Working.psd file.
5 Choose Flatten Image from the Layers panel menu.
Only one layer, named Background, remains in the Layers panel.
6 Choose File > Save. Even though you chose Save rather than Save As, the Save
As dialog box appears.
7 Make sure the location is the Lessons/Lesson04 folder, and then click Save to
accept the default settings and save the flattened file.
You have saved two versions of the file: a one-layer, flattened copy as well as the
original file, in which all the layers remain intact.
about layer comps
Layer comps provide one-click flexibility in switching between different views of
a multilayered image file. A layer comp is simply a definition of the settings in the
Layers panel. Once you’ve defined a layer comp, you can change as many settings
as you please in the Layers panel and then create another layer comp to preserve
that configuration of layer properties. Then, by switching from one layer comp
to another, you can quickly review the two designs. The beauty of layer comps
becomes apparent when you want to demonstrate a number of possible design
arrangements. When you’ve created a few layer comps, you can review the design
variations without having to tediously select and deselect eye icons or change settings
in the Layers panel.
Say, for example, that you are designing a brochure, and you’re producing a version
in English as well as in French. You might have the French text on one layer, and the
English text on another in the same image file. To create two different layer comps,
you would simply turn on visibility for the French layer and turn off visibility for the
English layer, and then click the Create New Layer Comp button on the Layer Comps
panel. Then you’d do the inverse—turn on visibility for the English layer and turn
off visibility for the French layer, and click the Create New Layer Comp button—to
create an English layer comp.
To view the different layer comps, click the Apply Layer Comp box for each comp
in the Layer Comps panel in turn. With a little imagination, you can appreciate how
much time this saves for more complex variations. Layer comps can be an especially
valuable feature when the design is in flux or when you need to create multiple versions
of the same image file.
You’ve created a colorful, attractive postcard. This lesson only begins to explore
the vast possibilities and the flexibility you gain when you master the art of using
Photoshop layers. You’ll get more experience and try out different techniques for
layers in almost every chapter as you move forward in this book.
extra credit
Take the blinking and bad poses out of an otherwise great family portrait
with the Auto-Align Layers feature.
1 Open FamilyPhoto.psd in your Lesson04 folder.
2 In the Layers panel, turn Layer 2 on and off to see the two similar photos. When
both layers are visible, Layer 2 shows the tall man in the center blinking, and the
two girls in the front looking away.
You’ll align the two photos, and then use the Eraser tool to brush out the parts of
the photo on Layer 2 that you want to improve.
3 Make both layers visible, and Shift-click to select them. Choose Edit > Auto-Align
Layers; click OK to accept the default Auto position. Toggle the eye icon next to
Layer 2 off and on to see that the layers are perfectly aligned.
Now for the fun part! You’ll brush out the photo where you want to improve it.
4 Select the Eraser tool in the Tools panel, and pick a soft, 45-pixel brush in the
options bar. Select Layer 2, and start brushing in the center of the blinking
man’s head to reveal the smiling face below.
5 Use the Eraser tool on the two girls looking away,
revealing the image below, where they look into the camera.
You’ve created a natural family snapshot.
review questions
1 What is the advantage of using layers?
2 When you create a new layer, where does it appear in the Layers panel stack?
3 How can you make artwork on one layer appear in front of artwork on another layer?
4 How can you apply a layer style?
5 When you’ve completed your artwork, what can you do to minimize the file size
without changing the quality or dimensions?
review answers
1 Layers let you move and edit different parts of an image as discrete objects. You can
also hide individual layers as you work on other layers.
2 A new layer always appears immediately above the active layer.
3 You can make artwork on one layer appear in front of artwork on another layer by
dragging layers up or down the stacking order in the Layers panel, or by using the
Layer > Arrange subcommands—Bring To Front, Bring Forward, Send To Back, and
Send Backward. However, you can’t change the layer position of a background layer.
4 To apply a layer style, select the layer, and then click the Add A Layer Style button
in the Layers panel, or choose Layer > Layer Style > [style].
5 To minimize file size, you can flatten the image, which merges all the layers onto a
single background. It’s a good idea to duplicate image files with layers intact before you
flatten them, in case you have to make changes to a layer later.
