Why flatten image in photoshop

Merge Down combines the layer below the currently selected layer and the selected layer together into one singular layer. The layer name will change to the name of the layer below the selected layer. Depending on the information stored on a document and what is not retained after you flatten it, the size may or may not drop considerably. The background is the part of the image that is farthest from the viewer. Background layer in Photoshop The bottommost layer in the Layers palette, the background layer is always locked protected , meaning you cannot change its stacking order, blending mode, or opacity unless you convert it into a regular layer.

Smart Objects are layers that contain image data from raster or vector images, such as Photoshop or Illustrator files. The Merge Visible Layers command merges the layers which are visible into a single layer. With this command, the original visible layers disappear. Once you press this command, all of your layers will be merged. Even if you had 10 or 20 layers, by merging they will all become one single layer, one image.

The ability to use a transparency channel increases the versatility of this file type. When you flatten a PDF, you merge previously separated contents of your document into one. Flattening a PDF makes it so that: Interactive elements in PDF forms such as checkboxes, text boxes, radio buttons, drop-down lists are no longer fillable. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Skip to content What is the purpose of flattening an image in Photoshop? What is difference between flatten image and merge visible? Can you Unflatten an image in Photoshop? Where is layer flatten image in Photoshop? Should I flatten image before printing? Do I need to merge layers before saving in Photoshop? Should I merge layers? This will combine all the visible layers within your document into a single background layer, as you can see in the Layers Window.

This time, do you notice a difference in the appearance of the document? The background is no longer transparent but has instead been filled with white. This is because the Flatten Image command does not preserve transparency since the layers are combined to form a background layer which is white by default.

So, if you are looking to preserve the transparency of any empty areas within your document, then you should always opt for the Merge Layers feature.

The second major difference between the two commands is that the Merge Layers function lets you select which layers are combined whilst the Flatten Image function automatically combines all the visible layers within your document into a background layer.

So, if you want to only combine a certain group of two or more layers within your document, then you should definitely use the Merge Layers command instead of the Flatten Image one.

Another thing to note about which layers are combined upon choosing each command is that the two have different effects on hidden, or invisible, layers. All layers in Photoshop will be visible by default. However, you can make layers invisible by clicking on the eye icon as circled below next to their respective titles in the Layers Window. Hence, layers that are invisible will simply have an empty box to the left of their thumbnail and title, where visible layers will have the eye icon.

These invisible layers will be affected differently depending on whether you are merging the layers or flattening the image. The Merge Layers command causes Photoshop to simply skip invisible layers and leave them intact. By contrast, the Flatten Image option will cause Photoshop to delete all invisible layers, removing them from the document permanently unless the action is undone.

Remember that to merge certain layers using the Merge Layers command, you must first select the ones that you want to be combined.

If they are consecutive the group is stacked one on top of the other in the Layers Window , then you can select the whole group quickly by clicking on the top layer of the group you want to select then clicking on the bottom one whilst holding down the Shift key.

This is particularly useful when you want to select quite a large group of layers. And that is about all there is to know about the differences between the Merge Layers and Flatten Image commands in Photoshop! If you still want to find out more about how you can differentiate between the functions, or if you would prefer to learn from a video, then take a look at this video by Rick Peterson which provides a well-delivered, in-depth explanation of the topic.

Captivated by the digital world and particularly attracted by everything related to creativity, Martin is an amateur photographer and digital marketer who has more than 10 years of experience with Adobe Photoshop. Check his about page here. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.

We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Act now! Flatten Image vs. What is the Merge Layers Function? What Are the Differences Between the Functions? If that option was not enabled, flattening is irreversible. One can still use Acrobat to edit the items using the correct tool.

Photoshop has a keyboard shortcut that merges all visible content into a new layer without affecting the layers below it. Click the Eye icon beside any layers you don't want merged to hide them.

Press Ctrl-Alt-Shift-E. A new layer appears with the merged content. What is the purpose of flattening an image in Photoshop?

Category: technology and computing photo editing software. What is flattening an image? How do I flatten an image? Which menu is used to flatten images? What happens when you choose the command layer flatten image? What are layers in Photoshop? What are smart objects in Photoshop? What does flattening an image do in Illustrator? About flattening. How do you lay down an image in Photoshop? Follow this simple steps:. Why does PDF say flattening when I print? What does flattening mean in printing?

How many layers are in a flattened file? What is the effect of flattening an image in Adobe Photoshop quizlet? Should I flatten image before printing? How do I save an image as a layer in Photoshop? How do I undo a flatten image? Can you Unflatten a PDF? How do you Unmerge layers in Photoshop? Similar Asks.