As you add layers or layer groups to an image, it’s helpful to give them names that reflect their content. Descriptive names make layers easy to identify in the Layers panel.
- Double-click the layer name or group name in the Layers panel and enter a new name. Press Enter (Windows) or Return (macOS).
- Select the layer/group and then follow these steps:
- Choose Layer > Rename Layer or Layer > Rename Group.
- Enter a new name for the layer/group in the Layers panel.
- Press Enter (Windows) or Return (macOS).
Deleting the layers you no longer need reduces the size of your image file. To quickly delete empty layers, choose File > Scripts > Delete All Empty Layers.
To delete layers or layer groups having edits, follow the steps below:
-
Select one or more layers or groups from the Layers panel.
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Do one of the following:
- To delete with a confirmation message, click the Delete icon . Alternatively, choose Layers > Delete > Layer or Delete Layer or Delete Group from the Layers panel menu.
- To delete the layer or group without confirmation, drag it to the Delete icon , Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (macOS) the Delete icon, or press the Delete key.
- To delete hidden layers, choose Layers > Delete > Hidden Layers.
Note:To delete linked layers, select a linked layer, choose Layer > Select Linked Layers, and then delete the layers.
You can export all layers or visible layers to separate files.
Color coding layers and groups helps you locate related layers in the Layers panel. Simply right-click the layer or group and select a color.
You cannot use the painting tools or filters on layers that contain vector data (such as type layers, shape layers, vector masks, or Smart Objects) and generated data (such as fill layers). However, you can rasterize these layers to convert their contents into a flat, raster image.
Once your layer is rasterized, you cannot edit them earlier because they are now converted to pixel-based layers. It's recommended to duplicate your layer and apply rasterization so that you can always go back to the original if necessary. To rasterize a vector layer or a Smart object, you can simply select a vector-based layer or a Smart Object and then choose Layer > Rasterize > Layer or Layer > Rasterize > All Layers to rasterize all layers in your document.
Type
Rasterizes the type on a type layer. It does not rasterize any other vector data on the layer.
Shape
Rasterizes a shape layer.
Fill Content
Rasterizes the fill of a shape layer, leaving the vector mask.
Vector Mask
Rasterizes the vector mask on a layer, turning it into a layer mask.
Smart Object
Converts a Smart Object into a raster layer.
Video
Rasterizes the current video frame to an image layer.
3D (Extended only)
Rasterizes the current view of 3D data into a flat raster layer.
Layer
Rasterizes all vector data on the selected layers.
All Layers
Rasterizes all layers that contain vector and generated data.
To rasterize linked layers, select a linked layer, choose Layer > Select Linked Layers, and then rasterize the selected layers.
- Photoshop User Guide
- Introduction to Photoshop
- Photoshop and other Adobe products and services
- Photoshop on the iPad (not available in mainland China)
- Photoshop on the iPad | Common questions
- Get to know the workspace
- System requirements | Photoshop on the iPad
- Create, open, and export documents
- Add photos
- Work with layers
- Draw and paint with brushes
- Make selections and add masks
- Retouch your composites
- Work with adjustment layers
- Adjust the tonality of your composite with Curves
- Apply transform operations
- Crop and rotate your composites
- Rotate, pan, zoom, and reset the canvas
- Work with Type layers
- Work with Photoshop and Lightroom
- Get missing fonts in Photoshop on the iPad
- Japanese Text in Photoshop on the iPad
- Manage app settings
- Touch shortcuts and gestures
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Edit your image size
- Livestream as you create in Photoshop on the iPad
- Correct imperfections with the Healing Brush
- Create brushes in Capture and use them in Photoshop on the iPad
- Work with Camera Raw files
- Create and work with Smart Objects
- Adjust exposure in your images with Dodge and Burn
- Auto adjustment commands in Photoshop on the iPad
- Smudge areas in your images with Photoshop on the iPad
- Saturate or desaturate your images using Sponge tool
- Content aware fill for iPad
- Photoshop on the web (not available in mainland China)
- Common questions
- System requirements
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Supported file types
- Introduction to the workspace
- Open and work with cloud documents
- Generative AI features
- Basic concepts of editing
- Quick Actions
- Work with layers
- Retouch images and remove imperfections
- Make quick selections
- Image improvements with Adjustment Layers
- Add a fill layer
- Move, transform, and crop images
- Draw and paint
- Draw and edit Shapes
- Work with Type layers
- Work with anyone on the web
- Manage app settings
- Generate Image
- Generate Background
- Reference Image
- Photoshop (beta) (not available in mainland China)
- Generative AI (not available in mainland China)
- Common questions on generative AI in Photoshop
- Generative Fill in Photoshop on the desktop
- Generate Image with descriptive text prompts
- Generative Expand in Photoshop on the desktop
- Generative Fill in Photoshop on the iPad
- Generative Expand in Photoshop on the iPad
- Generative AI features in Photoshop on the web
- Content authenticity (not available in mainland China)
- Cloud documents (not available in mainland China)
- Photoshop cloud documents | Common questions
- Photoshop cloud documents | Workflow questions
- Manage and work with cloud documents in Photoshop
- Upgrade cloud storage for Photoshop
- Unable to create or save a cloud document
- Solve Photoshop cloud document errors
- Collect cloud document sync logs
- Invite others to edit your cloud documents
- Share files and comment in-app
- Workspace
- Workspace basics
- Preferences
- Learn faster with the Photoshop Discover Panel
- Create documents
- Place files
- Default keyboard shortcuts
- Customize keyboard shortcuts
- Tool galleries
- Performance preferences
- Use tools
- Presets
- Grid and guides
- Touch gestures
- Use the Touch Bar with Photoshop
- Touch capabilities and customizable workspaces
- Technology previews
- Metadata and notes
- Touch capabilities and customizable workspaces
- Place Photoshop images in other applications
- Rulers
- Show or hide non-printing Extras
- Specify columns for an image
- Undo and history
- Panels and menus
- Position elements with snapping
- Position with the Ruler tool
- Web, screen, and app design
- Image and color basics
- How to resize images
- Work with raster and vector images
- Image size and resolution
- Acquire images from cameras and scanners
- Create, open, and import images
- View images
- Invalid JPEG Marker error | Opening images
- Viewing multiple images
- Customize color pickers and swatches
- High dynamic range images
- Match colors in your image
- Convert between color modes
- Color modes
- Erase parts of an image
- Blending modes
- Choose colors
- Customize indexed color tables
- Image information
- Distort filters are unavailable
- About color
- Color and monochrome adjustments using channels
- Choose colors in the Color and Swatches panels
- Sample
- Color mode or Image mode
- Color cast
- Add a conditional mode change to an action
- Add swatches from HTML CSS and SVG
- Bit depth and preferences
- Layers
- Layer basics
- Nondestructive editing
- Create and manage layers and groups
- Select, group, and link layers
- Place images into frames
- Layer opacity and blending
- Mask layers
- Apply Smart Filters
- Layer comps
- Move, stack, and lock layers
- Mask layers with vector masks
- Manage layers and groups
- Layer effects and styles
- Edit layer masks
- Extract assets
- Reveal layers with clipping masks
- Generate image assets from layers
- Work with Smart Objects
- Blending modes
- Combine multiple images into a group portrait
- Combine images with Auto-Blend Layers
- Align and distribute layers
- Copy CSS from layers
- Load selections from a layer or layer mask's boundaries
- Knockout to reveal content from other layers
- Selections
- Get started with selections
- Make selections in your composite
- Select and Mask workspace
- Select with the marquee tools
- Select with the lasso tools
- Adjust pixel selections
- Move, copy, and delete selected pixels
- Create a temporary quick mask
- Select a color range in an image
- Convert between paths and selection borders
- Channel basics
- Save selections and alpha channel masks
- Select the image areas in focus
- Duplicate, split, and merge channels
- Channel calculations
- Get started with selections
- Image adjustments
- Replace object colors
- Perspective warp
- Reduce camera shake blurring
- Healing brush examples
- Export color lookup tables
- Adjust image sharpness and blur
- Understand color adjustments
- Apply a Brightness/Contrast adjustment
- Adjust shadow and highlight detail
- Levels adjustment
- Adjust hue and saturation
- Adjust vibrance
- Adjust color saturation in image areas
- Make quick tonal adjustments
- Apply special color effects to images
- Enhance your image with color balance adjustments
- High dynamic range images
- View histograms and pixel values
- Match colors in your image
- Crop and straighten photos
- Convert a color image to black and white
- Adjustment and fill layers
- Curves adjustment
- Blending modes
- Target images for press
- Adjust color and tone with Levels and Curves eyedroppers
- Adjust HDR exposure and toning
- Dodge or burn image areas
- Make selective color adjustments
- Adobe Camera Raw
- Camera Raw system requirements
- What's new in Camera Raw
- Introduction to Camera Raw
- Create panoramas
- Supported lenses
- Vignette, grain, and dehaze effects in Camera Raw
- Default keyboard shortcuts
- Automatic perspective correction in Camera Raw
- Radial Filter in Camera Raw
- Manage Camera Raw settings
- Open, process, and save images in Camera Raw
- Repair images with the Enhanced Spot Removal tool in Camera Raw
- Rotate, crop, and adjust images
- Adjust color rendering in Camera Raw
- Process versions in Camera Raw
- Make local adjustments in Camera Raw
- Image repair and restoration
- Image enhancement and transformation
- Drawing and painting
- Paint symmetrical patterns
- Draw rectangles and modify stroke options
- About drawing
- Draw and edit shapes
- Painting tools
- Create and modify brushes
- Blending modes
- Add color to paths
- Edit paths
- Paint with the Mixer Brush
- Brush presets
- Gradients
- Gradient interpolation
- Fill and stroke selections, layers, and paths
- Draw with the Pen tools
- Create patterns
- Generate a pattern using the Pattern Maker
- Manage paths
- Manage pattern libraries and presets
- Draw or paint with a graphics tablet
- Create textured brushes
- Add dynamic elements to brushes
- Gradient
- Paint stylized strokes with the Art History Brush
- Paint with a pattern
- Sync presets on multiple devices
- Migrate presets, actions, and settings
- Text
- Filters and effects
- Saving and exporting
- Color Management
- Web, screen, and app design
- Video and animation
- Printing
- Automation
- Troubleshooting
Learn how to manage layers, layer groups, and layer effects in a Photoshop document to keep your project organized.
Read the full article. Start with selecting any of these topics to learn more:
Discontinuation of 3D features in Photoshop
Photoshop’s 3D features will be removed in future updates. Users working with 3D are encouraged to explore Adobe’s new Substance 3D collection, which represents the next generation of 3D tools from Adobe. Additional details on the discontinuation of Photoshop’s 3D features can be found here: Photoshop 3D | Common questions on discontinued 3D features.
When you have finalized the content of layers, you can merge them to reduce the size of your image files. When you merge layers, the data on the top layers replaces any data it overlaps on the lower layers. The intersection of all transparent areas in the merged layers remains transparent.
When you save a merged document, you cannot revert back to the unmerged state; the layers are permanently merged.
With Photoshop, you can apply any of the following merge operations on layers:
- Merge down: To merge two adjacent visible layers where the bottom layer is a pixel layer, select the top layer in the Layers panel and then choose Layer > Merge Down, or choose Merge Down from the Layers panel’s menu, or press Cmd+E (macOS)/ Ctrl+E (Windows). Following this, Photoshop merges all top layers into the bottom pixel layer. You'll always need a pixel layer at the bottom of your layers to use the merge commands.
- Merge visible: To simply merge a selected few layers in your document, you can hide the layers you don’t want to combine and select a pixel layer as your base. Then, go to Layer > Merge Visible, or choose Merge Visible from the Layers panel’s menu, or press Shift+Cmd+E (macOS)/ Shift+Ctrl+E (Windows).
- Merge active: Select all the layers you want to merge whether they are vector or pixel layers, and go to Layer > Merge Layers, or choose Merge Layers from the Layers panel’s menu, or press Cmd+E (macOS)/ Ctrl+E (Windows).
- Merge linked: To merge linked layers together, select the linked layers by choosing Layer > Select Linked Layers, or choosing Select Linked Layers from the Layers panel’s menu, and then opting for the steps listed for merging active layers above.
You cannot use an adjustment or fill layer as the target layer for a merge.
Merge layers in a clipping mask
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Hide any layers that you do not want to merge.
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Select the base layer in the clipping mask. The base layer must be a raster layer.
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Choose Merge Clipping Mask from the Layers menu or the Layers panel menu.
For more information on clipping masks, see Mask layers with clipping masks.
In addition to merging layers, you can also stamp them. Stamping allows you to merge the contents of more than one layer into a target layer while leaving the other layers intact. When you stamp multiple selected layers or linked layers, Photoshop creates a new layer containing the merged content.
You can prefer to use stamping when you want to edit multiple layers with the same tools but only one layer at a time. Stamping combines the selected layers into a new layer, leaving the original layers as is.
You can work with the following stamping options:
- Stamp active layers: Select the layers that you want to stamp and then press Opt+Cmd+E (macOS)/ Alt+Ctrl+E (Windows).
- Stamp visible: You can disable the layers that you do not wish to stamp by turning off their visibility in the Layers panel and then pressing Shift+Opt+Cmd+E (macOS)/ Shift+Alt+Ctrl+E (Windows). Also, you can hold Opt (macOS)/ Alt (Windows) as you select Merge Visible from the Layers panel’s menu to merge them into a new layer.
Flattening reduces file size by merging all visible layers into the background and discarding hidden layers. Any transparent areas that remain are filled with white. When you save a flattened image, you cannot revert to the unflattened state as the layers get permanently merged.
You can work with any of the following flattening options:
- Flatten Image: To flatten your entire Photoshop file, go to Layer > Flatten Image or select Flatten Image from the Layers panel’s menu.
- Flatten All Layer Effects: To flatten only the layer styles instead of the entire image file, select File > Scripts > Flatten All Layer Effects. This makes the layer styles combine with the layer they are attached to. On applying any layer styles to vector layers like Type or Shape layers, the layer styles will get rasterized.
- Flatten All Masks: To permanently apply masks to their associated layers, select File > Scripts > Flatten All Masks.
The image on the left shows the Layers panel (with three layers) and file size before flattening. The image on the right shows the Layers panel after flattening.
Converting an image between some color modes flattens the file. Save a copy of your file with all layers intact if you want to edit the original image after the conversion.
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