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Photoshop Tip : Create a flattened layer AND keep all your layers intact
It’s always a good idea to keep an original PSD file with all your layers when you’re working on a project. If you want to flatten an image in Photoshop, you don’t need to make a duplicate file in order to create a fattened layer while keeping your original layers. You can use this keyboard shortcut to have both in one file.
In windows, use Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E
On the mac, use Cmd + Option + Shift + E
In the example below, you can see the layers palette on the left with four layers on it. By using the keyboard shortcut, Photoshop creates a new layer for you and places a flattened version of the image into this layer.
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Great site!
BTW, in the same context, I frequently use “Copy Merged” to create a quick email of a design, or to move to another PS file. Just Command-A (select all) then Command-Shift-C (Copy Merged) then either go to your email app and paste or create a new PS file, and paste.
Hi Rich
Thanks for visiting and for your Photoshop tip!
Great tip! Thanks! I will definitely use this.
Thanks for visiting Susan. Glad you found it useful.
When I work with a large file in PSD or Tiff format and want to send the file via email, I first dramatically reduce its size, flatten the layers, then SAVE AS (using the same file name but tack on the suffix “EM” to the file name to denote it’s for email) then send. I then have two files of the same photo…one very large file in either PSD or Tiff format (with all the layers unflattened) and another, much smaller JPeg image that I use for mailing or putting on a web page.
I’m still a little fuzzy on your tutorial here. I see in your example that you now have a flattened image (Layer 1) PLUS the remaining individual layers beneath. I don’t get it…all the layers seem to be there…unflattened. Granted, you have a merged new layer on top, however, the remaining layers seem to be still in existence. How does this reduce the file size so you can email it?
I just don’t get it….please explain.
thanks for your efforts,
chet
Hi Chet
Yes, you’re right, this actually produces a larger file size because you have all of the layers PLUS the flattened layer. By choosing Save for Web you can save the file for emailing or web use. And yes, you would get the same effect without creating a flattened layer. The main point I was (trying) to make is that you can easily keep all your layers and keep one flattened layer all in the same file. In my haste of writing, I mentioned email and web use which isn’t relevant.
I’m now going to remove the part of the sentence that mentioned it so the focus is purely on the shortcut.
Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment!
Thanks I didn’t know this, but now that I do I’m gonna use it all the time. LOL
Hi Zanne
Yes, it’s a handy one alright!
Great tip thanks for sharing, I had been looking to find the “flatten and keep your layers” shortcut.
Uh.
It doesn’t work on 7.0.