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What Is the Difference Between Flattening and Merging Layers in Photoshop?

Last updated on September 24, 2022 @ 12:51 am

When you are working with layers in Photoshop, there are two main ways to combine them: flattening and merging. Both of these methods have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to know when to use each one.

Flattening layers essentially means taking all of the current layers and combining them into a single layer. This can be useful if you want to reduce the file size of your image, or if you want to make sure that all of your layers are correctly aligned.

However, it is important to note that once you flatten layers, you cannot undo this action. Therefore, it is always a good idea to save a copy of your image before flattening layers, just in case you need to go back and make changes later on.

PRO TIP: When flattening or merging layers in Photoshop, it is important to be aware of the difference between the two options. Flattening will combine all layers into one single layer, while merging will only combine the selected layers. If you are not careful, you may inadvertently flatten your image, which cannot be undone.

Merging layers, on the other hand, allows you to select which layers you want to combine. This can be useful if you only want to combine certain elements of your image, or if you want to keep some layers separate for future editing.

Unlike flattening layers, merging layers does not permanently change your image, so you can always undo this action if necessary.

So, what is the difference between flattening and merging layers in Photoshop? Flattening layers combines all of your current layers into a single layer, while merging lets you select which layers you want to combine.

Flattening is permanent, while merging is not. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to know when to use each method.

In conclusion, it is important to know the difference between flattening and merging layers in Photoshop so that you can choose the best method for your needs.

Dale Leydon

Dale Leydon

Sysadmin turned Javascript developer. Owner of 20+ apps graveyard, and a couple of successful ones.