Question: I feel kind of dumb asking this, but I just don't get it. What is the difference between “merging” the layers and “flattening” the layers? Is doing either of them permanent? Do you HAVE to do it in order to print your layout? (Can you tell that I'm new to this?) Thanks for your patience with me.
Answer 1: That is a very valid question. Don't ever hesitate to ask if you come across something that you don't understand.
I have found that you can undo both merge and flatten IF you hit the undo before you save it. You can merge just certain layers, which is what I do if I am putting a frame on a photo and I want to add a drop shadow, or you can merge all of the layers together. I don't know what the technical difference is.
I don't normally go through a step to merge or flatten all of the layers because the file will be automatically flattened when you save it as a JPG file. You don't have to flatten an image if you are printing at home and you aren't changing the size of the image to print it. If you resize before flattening, it can mess up styles like drop shadows. When I get an image ready to post here at Scrap Girls, I make sure that my PSD file is saved and then I select “Save As” and save it as a JPG file. I then close the PSD file and open the JPG file to resize it.
Answer 2: I only merge layers like photo frames with their photos so that they drop shadow correctly. I save the same way, too. I always like to keep my PSD files intact so that I can make changes if I want to. (I have plenty of times.)
Answer 3: Another thing I learned is when you have made adjustments to PNG files - things like embellishments where you have to merge layers - you should “merge” so the background does not become part of the embellishment when you move it onto the layout. If you “flatten,” then the embellishment ends up with a white background and you don’t want that.
It is a good question, and you know, the only dumb question is the one you don't ask!
Answer 4: When I first started working on my digi layouts, I thought I had to flatten the layout to save it as a JPG. When I printed them, it did not have the dimensional look to it as they do now with just saving the PSD file as a JPG. I don't know the technical end of it, but I think it was because you are really flattening the file, if this makes sense. I just merge the layers that I need to merge and save both a PSD version and a JPG version.
Answer 5: “Flatten” will finish off the whole layout, make it all one and if you have any hidden files it will remove them. “Merge Visible” will do the same, but will not include the hidden files. Make sure to save your file as a PSD if you want to ever change, add or delete something.
I keep a special folder for each month of layouts and mark them March o8 layouts, June 08 layouts, etc., so that I know when the files were made. I also keep a file for flattened web versions of each layout. It makes it easier to identify the file if you keep the PSD and the file is marked with the file maker's name on each layer.
Answer 6: I always save three ways but never knew why! Thanks for the question and answers!
I feel so much smarter now.
Response 1: OK, let me see if I've got this straight. You can merge OR flatten, it doesn't matter. But you need to save it in TWO ways - as a PSD for future changes and as a JPG in order to send out to print. But, I need to undo BEFORE I save it to the PSD in order to be able to make adjustments to layers later on, should I want to. I'm still not completely clear on exactly WHY you merge or flatten. I understand the part about adding a shadow to a frame and to have them printed, but are there any other reasons to do it? Can't I just leave them UN-MERGED?
Answer 7: I honestly don't do it quite that way. I never flatten anything. I just merge layers that need to be one for drop shadow purposes. I save my PSD file without flattening or anything. Then, I will click “Save As” and then choose JPG from the list. I save it at the highest quality. (If you send things out to be printed, this is the file you will use.)
I then open my JPG file. You can put “300” at the end of your title before you save and then you will be able to tell if it is the print quality version. I open this file and change the size with Image> Image Size. I change the dpi to 72 and the pixels to 600 and then click “Save As” again and delete the word “copy” and put in “_web.” Then I know which one is the layout to upload to the gallery. I do it this way to protect the layers in my PSD file.
I tried doing things the other way when I first started and I have a few layouts that are saved as PSD files that don't have their layers anymore. I wanted to change one a tiny bit, but I won't because I don't want to re-create the entire layout. Hope I didn't confuse you.
Answer 8: I'd have to agree with the above version of merge vs. flatten. That is the way I understand and what I have done. Oh, so much to learn!
Answer 9: I may be way off on my technical terms, but I do exactly as mentioned: create in PSD and save it with all of the layers. Save again, only I name “blah blah print” and then resize and save as “blah blah upload.”
Some of the things I use “merge” for would be if I used a bunch of alphas to form a word. I create a new transparent layer and arrange and size the letters and then I merge them so that they are all one word. It’s much easier to handle as one single word. I would also merge something like an Assemble Your Own Beads or something where I made one element out of several elements. Another use for “merge” would be when making word art. If I did a text layer with one font and then did another text layer with another font, but I really want it to appear as one item, then I merge them.
I never merge all the layers, as in my pictures with my backgrounds and all the elements, etc. That would restrict you so that you could not change anything. I thought that when you flatten a layer that it can be done with just one layer such as a text layer. When you flatten it, it becomes an object rather than text. It can then be treated like any other element object using Move, Color, etc. Hopefully, that will help clarify things.
Answer 10: When I referred to undoing, I was addressing the question of “is it permanent?” If you flatten a PSD by accident, then you can undo that flattening if you do it before you save it again. You don't need to undo anything on your PSD file after you've saved it as a JPG, at least not in PSE, and I assume PSCS also.
When you do a “Save As” and choose JPG, it does not change the PSD that you see on your screen. You can then close the PSD and open the JPG to change the size. Does that make sense or only muddy the waters more? When you save a PSD as a JPG it is, in effect, flattening or merging all of the layers. The post above refers to “simplifying” a layer, such as text, to make it a bitmap object rather than a vector object. I don't think you can “flatten” a single layer.
Response 2: OK, I am confused now. I always save as a PSD file first and then I change the size and save as JPG - not save as JPG first. I have not lost my drop shadows, etc. Am I toying with disaster?
Answer 11: Sometimes, I've had the styles go wonky on me, sometimes, not. I just do it that way to be safe. The “Scale Styles” box really should work though. If you're not having trouble, don't worry about it. Check your layouts though, once you upload them. That is usually why some drop shadows look enormous.
Answer 12: I had only occasionally run into the styles going wonky if I resized first, and then someone posted about saving as a full size JPG first and I just adapted that method. It made sense to me. If you do it by resizing first, you might get a messed up layout now and again, but as long as you have your PSD saved with the layers intact, you can always go back to it and save it as a JPG before resizing.
Response 3: My head is spinning now! I'm going to have to really sit down and STUDY what you have said here. I guess I just don't know that much about the program yet to really grasp it. I'll get back to you if I have any other questions and I'm pretty sure that I will! Thanks for your help. You ladies are great!
Answer 13: I'm learning a lot here myself. First, it seems that everybody works with PSD files, where I use TIFFs. I always save a full blown layered TIFF file of my layouts. This is the file that I use to print from as well. I then save a full-sized JPG. I used to always flatten first, but after having some of my styles go wonky, I now merge similar layers, making sure that my styles remain true. I then save and upload a JPG file that has been sized for the gallery. At then end of a layout, I always have three files of it. |
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