When working on an image using Photoshop, you will need to create at least two layers. The more complex the drawing, the more layers there will be. For ease of processing, layers can be merged and separated. Adobe Photoshop offers several ways to do this.
Instructions
Step 1
If you are working on a complex layered composition, it will take up quite a lot of disk space. When you try to send a file in the.psd format over the network, you will notice that it will "eat" a fair amount of traffic, and it will take a very long time to load. To reduce the file size after the image is completely finished, you can merge all layers into one. Select Layer and Flatten Image from the main menu.
Step 2
Until the work on the collage is completed, you can merge those layers that need to be processed together, or which you have already finished processing. To do this, there are commands Merge Down ("Combine previous") and Merge Visible ("Merge visible"). In the first case, adjacent layers are combined, in the second, those with an eye image next to them. The same result can be achieved using the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl + E and Shift + Ctrl + E.
Step 3
You can only undo the merge before remembering the current configuration of the file. After using the Save as or Save commands, you will have to cut the image into slices if you suddenly want to separate the layers.
Step 4
You can create temporary merges of layers. In versions CS and below, pay attention to the square next to the window in which the eye is drawn (the viewport). The active layer in this square has a brush image. Click on the empty squares next to the layers that you want to link - an image of the chain links will appear in them. To disconnect a layer, click on the chain box next to it.
Step 5
To link layers in versions CS2 and higher, while holding down the Ctrl or Shift key, click on the required levels, and then click on the chain button in the bottom line of the layers palette. The corresponding image appears on the merged layers. To disconnect, press the chain button again.
Step 6
Layers can be combined into a group for the convenience of working with them. In versions CS2 and CS3, select the required layers and press Ctrl + G. In older versions, you first need to create a new group by clicking on the button in the form of a folder at the bottom of the layers panel, and then drag the desired objects there with the mouse. You can separate layers by pressing Shift + Ctrl + G or drag out each layer with the mouse separately.
