Photoshop: Merge Layer, Merge Visible and Flatten Image Command

Merge Layer, Merge Visible and Flatten Image commands are Photoshop command use for combine multiple layer together. But what the different and which one we should choose to use? More over photoshop will have other 2 merge commands that similar to merge visible command that I’ll include it in Merge visible section.

Flatten Image Command

Flatten Image command will general use when you finish your work and want to distribute it, especially in different image file format other than PSD (Photshop Image file format). Most of image file formats (for example jpg, gif, bmp) not support photoshop layer. So if you want to save in this file format you have to Flatten Image first.

You can Flatten Image by use Layer Palette menu and select Flatten Image in menu pop-up. When you use Flatten Image, all layers will combine to one and discard all invisible layer (layer with out eye icon next to it), in to one layer call “Background“.

Note: Background is special layer, in one image can have only one background. You cannot change the stacking order of a background, its blending mode, or its opacity. And it’s not support transparent.

You may notice when you make a selection and move (When layer is lock you Move Tool to move entire layer unless you making a selection) some part of Background, the pixel will replace by background color instead of transparency in other layer.

Merge Layer VS Flatten Image

So the different between Merge Layer and Flatten Image in case you want to merge all layer. It will be depend on layers in your image.

If you have Background layer in your image in this case merging all layer will have same effect as using Flatten Image command (result in only one Background layer). But for image that don�t have Background. When merge all layer will result in one layer with transparency, that not support in other image file, even it fill with color in all image pixel. So the layer name Background is different form real Background Layer.

Note: If you try to save image in other format that not support layer without flatten it (Image with only Background Layer), you will got warning at the bottom Save file dialog as show below.

Anyway you can convert Background to Layer by do one of following:

• double click the Background layer will pop-up new layer dialog name it or leave it as is and click OK.
• Select Background layer and using menu Layer » New » Layer from Background

To convert Layer to Background and maintain all layer, using menu Layer » New » Background from Layer.

Merge layer and Merge Visible

Merge layer (Ctrl/Command + E) and Merge Visible (Ctrl/Command + Shift + E) command generally use when you want to combine two or more selected layer together. You can use merge command whenever you want to merge some selected layers and continue working.

Both command different in the way, how you can select layers to merge.

• Merge Layer: will merge select layer down to next layer under it, or merge multiple selected layers (available only for CS2 of later only) to top-most layer (See Different Merge Command below).
• Merge Visible: will merge all visible layer in to layer that currently select. In general, you can select layer to merge by click eye icon next to it to make it visible or hide it to exclude it when merge.

Note: Merge Layer Command is available since Photoshop CS that allow you to select multiple layer by using Ctrl(Command) + Select or Shift + Select to select multiple contiguous layer. And if only one layer select this command will turning to Merge Down that also available in version before CS2.

Merge Visible command is useful when you have to merge large number of layer and also you can see final result before you actually process the command. After do a Merge Visible you still have all hidden layer, unlike Flatten Image command that will be discard all invisible layer.

If you have Layer Set or Layer Clipping Mask that have some layer invisible, Photoshop stil keep those layers but will send it outside the Set/Clipping Mask - see example below and notice layers that mark with red. And you may notice that all selected layer merge to layer5 which selected while do Merge Visible command.

Copy Merge and Duplicate Image with Merge Layer.

Copy Merge command and Duplcate Image with Merge Layer is very similar to merge visible which is will result in merge only visible layer.

Copy Merge: Will copy all visible layer in select area or entire image , if entire image is selected, include all layer and visible adjustment layer to clipboard and you can paste in to new layer in same file or into different file. To use Copy merge command.

1. Select layer to merge by make it visible or hide layer to exclude the form merge
2. Make a selection to area you want to copy or use menu Select » All (Ctrl + A) to copy entire image.
3. Select menu Edit � Copy Merged or Press Ctrl(Command) + Shift + C to copy select area to clipboard.
4. Now you can paste it into same file or other file by using menu Edit » Paste (Ctrl + V).

Tip: If you want to paste it on the same file within exactly same position, keep the selection selected after copy merge. When you do Paste, the copy area will paste into selected area with same position in new layer.
If you want to paste the copy area in new file you just create new file by using menu File » New (Ctrl + N). Photoshop will recognize the dimension of copy area in clipboard and automatically set the image dimension new file size.

Duplicate Merge: Will produce exactly same result as Merge Visible but with in duplicate file. Please note that this command will discard all invisible layer. This command very useful when you want to finish and deliver your work by keeping original file in layer. To do duplicate merge command.

1. Make all layer you want visible and unhide layer you want to exclude.
2. Select menu Image » Duplicate, this will pop-up Duplicate Image dialog. Rename it as need, and check Duplicate Merged Layers Only and click OK.

Different Merge Commands.

You may notice that Merge layer command are not alway available. When you select lowest layer in image or Layer Set, layer in Layer Set that have only one layer or Background layer this command will be dimmed. And also it will be change with different layer item is select. This is quite important especially when you use shortcut to merge layer, all merge command that will describe below use same shortcut (Ctrl + E for Windows and Command + E for Mac). So which merge command will trigger depend on which layer you selected.

So if you select:

• One layer: Merge command will turned to Merge Down that allow you to merge select layer with the next layer below it. Whether it’s place in Layer Set or Layer Clipping Mask (Except if it’s lowest layer in set or in Layer set that have only one layer)
• Multiple Layer: (Photoshop CS2 and earlier) Merge command will turned to Merge Layer that allow you to merge all selected layer to one.
  
• Layer with Clipping Mask: Merge command will turned to Merge Clipping Mask. And will merge all child layers in its group.
  

  Note: Layer Clipping Mask is call Layer Group in Photoshop 7 and earlier, it’s exactly the same things. And also merge command is call Merge Group.

• Layer Set: (Photoshop CS and earlier) Merge command will turned to Merge Layer Set that allow you to merge.
  

  Note: Layer Set will call Layer Group in Photoshop CS2 which allow you to create group in group. And also merge command is call Merge Group.

• Linked Layer: Merge Command will turned to Merge Linked that allow you to merge all linked layer.
  

  Tip: This command is very useful in non CS2 Photoshop version which cannot select multiple layers. You can merge multiple layers easily by link layers and do merge in single merge command.

  In CS2 this Merge Linked command is not available. To merge all linked layer you have to select one linked layer and use Layer Palette Menu and select Select Linked Layers and then use Merge Layer Command.

Related Articles:

• All About Photoshop Layer and Layer Palette
• Photoshop Layer Mask and Vector Mask
• Photoshop Layer Tutorial
• Using Free Transform Command
• Photoshop Move Tool

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