Layers

[Janice Freeman]

I have recently ventured into the world of layers - mainly for very basic adjustments, levels etc. Once I have made my adjustments it gives me 3 options: merge down, merge visible and flatten image. What should I be using? I have tried reading this on the net but am not understanding it!

Thanks
Janice

[PhilipHowe]

Janice,

As I understand them:

merge down - merges the current layer with the layer below it in your layers list into a single layer,
merge visible - merges all visible layers into one layer
flatten image - merges all layers down to one

Personally, I never merge layers before exporting as a jpeg. If you just save as a jpeg, it merges visible layers into your final image.

I only use merge down when I have cut too much from an image and need to add it back from the original.

[Paul Jones]

Once I have made my adjustments it gives me 3 options: merge down, merge visible and flatten image. What should I be using?

For saving your post-processed files I would say NONE.

By that I mean that I save my images as unflattened .PSD (Photoshop) files. This means that I can go back to any image I've worked on and all the Layers are intact for me to do whatever I want with.

Some of my images can have 10, 15, 20 or more Layers. I use Layers for everything, eg seperate layers for cloning, eyes, skin, liquify, adjustment layers, etc.

It's only if I want to save them as a JPEG for web use or email do I then FLATTEN all the Layers and then 'Save As' or 'Save for Web'.

[Janice Freeman]

Gosh I am learning a lot this afternoon. Thanks Paul, that is also really really helpful. I have tended to try and o everything on the 1 layer - but now I know better!

Cheers

Jan

[Stu B]

Thats true Paul. But you are saving a very large file by keeping all the layers.

[Paul Jones]

Thats true Paul. But you are saving a very large file by keeping all the layers.

Yes. Some of my images are over 150 - 200Mb.

I don't see that as a disadvantage. File storage is relatively cheap nowadays.

If you have put a lot of work into an image saving all the Layers intact gives you the option to always go back and amend / rework it if need be.

And, yes, Janice, don't do everything on one Layer.

[mark dyson]

I suggest you try Lightroom instead of photo-shop as lightroom is a more intuitive to use,plus you work on the raw files with sliders. Lightroom is a merger of camera raw and photo-shop and is uses a database system so it is quicker and has a user friendly interface. If you have not used Lightroom I can show you what it offers next meeting if you wish.

[Janice Freeman]

Thanks for the suggestion re Lightroom Mark, however afraid the cost is prohibitive for me - perhaps I will put it on my Christmas list!!

Many thanks

Janice

[Paul Jones]

VIDEO: Layers for Beginners

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4EooYoYYTQ

[PhilipHowe]

Mark, I'm with you, once used, Lightroom is only used.

[Brian]

Janice ... The magazine Practical Photoshop is one to take a look out for .. its not like a lot of the other photoshop magazines where you need to know what you are doing before hand and as much as the tuts look quite advanced they usually cover one subject at a time (one issue covers layers, one masks etc etc etc) one thing I will say is that the magazine has been running for about 15 months now so it may be worth while looking into some back issues of spesific subjects you are interested in ... I know they have recently released a Practacle Photoshop Project Book-a-zine but tbh its most of the projects and not the explanation of the tools and techniques .. worth a look but its one of those that having the knowledge in the tool is already assumed :S