Photoshop CS Savvy

Merging Layers and Flattening the Image

To reduce the file size and to more efficiently manage your document, you can merge layers or flatten the image:

1. Click to deselect the visibility icons next to all the layers except for the Blue, Purple, and Yellow layer sets. Target the Purple layer set.

2. Choose Merge Visible from the Layers palette menu. The content of all three of the layer sets is merged into a single layer (see Figure H2.23). Notice the reduction in the file size in the information field in the lower-left corner of the image window.

   Figure H2.23: You can merge the contents of all three layer sets into one layer.

   To finish the image, you will flatten it.

3. Choose Image ’ Duplicate. Name the new image Flying_Women_flat.psd .

4. Be sure all the layers and layer styles are visible. From the Layers Palette pull-down menu, choose Flatten Image.

5. Save the image.