How to merge layers in Photoshop in English. Learning to combine blending modes

Merging layers in Photoshop means combining two or more layers into one. To understand what “gluing” is and why it should be used, let’s look at a simple example.

Do you have an image - this A. There is another image - this B. They are all on different layers, but in the same document. Each of them can be edited separately from each other. Then you glue A And B and a new image is obtained - this is B, which can also be edited, but the effects will be evenly applied to both images.

For example, you drew a thundercloud and lightning in a collage. Then combine them together to add dark shades and some kind of gloomy effect to the color correction.

Let's figure out how to glue layers in Photoshop.

Right-click on a layer in the palette of the same name. A drop-down menu will appear, where at the very bottom you will see three options:

Merge Layers
Merge visible
Perform flattening

If you right-click on only one selected layer, then instead of the first option there will be "Merge with previous".

I think this is extra team and few people will use it, since below I will describe another - universal, for all occasions.

Let's move on to analyzing all the commands.

Using this command, you can glue two or more layers that you select with the mouse. The choice is made in two ways:

1. Hold down the key CTRL and click on the thumbnails you want to combine. I would call this method the most preferable because of its simplicity, convenience and versatility. This method helps out if you need to glue layers that are in different places on the palette, far from each other.

2. If you need to merge a group of layers next to each other, hold down the key SHIFT, click on the initial layer at the head of the group, then, without releasing the key, click on the last one in this group.

Merge visible

In short, visibility is the ability to disable/enable the display of an image.

Team "Merge Visible" needed to merge all visible layers with one click. In this case, those where visibility is disabled will remain untouched in the document. This is an important detail, and the next command is built on it.

Perform flattening

This command will glue all layers at once with one click. If there were invisible ones, Photoshop will open a window in which it will ask for confirmation of actions on them. complete removal. If you unite everything, then why do you need invisible ones?

Now you know how to merge two layers in Photoshop CS6.

The Photoshop program has become very popular among users, because it helps to process images without much difficulty. In this article we will tell you how to combine layers in Photoshop and why you need it. This operation will be easy to perform even for inexperienced users. In Photoshop, you can combine several layers into one. This is done to reduce file size or to merge layers as you work so they don't get in the way.

Merge with previous

This command, as the name suggests, merges adjacent layers. Click on the "Layers" menu and select the "Merge Down" command. You can also enter this command using the keyboard combination Ctrl keys+E. This is done as follows: you need to hold down the Ctrl key and, while holding it, press the E key. You can also merge layers without standing nearby. To do this, you need to select the layers to be merged. This is done like this: hold down the Ctrl key and left-click on the layers you want to merge. Next, select the “merge layers” command from the menu. In the English menu, this command will still be called “Merge Down”. After this you need to save the image. To do this, click the "File" command, then select "Save As", enter the file name and the format in which you want to save the image (.psd, .jpg, .jpg, .jpg) .

Merge Visible Layers

You can merge only visible layers using the Merge Visible command. The command is also found in the Layers menu. The fact that the layer is visible is indicated by the image of the “eye” next to the layer on the right side of the screen. You can also enter this command using the keyboard using the key combination Shift + Ctrl + E. You must simultaneously hold down Shift keys, Ctrl and E. The final stage is saving the image.

Perform flattening

In the English menu this command will be called “Flatten Image”. Also located in the Layers menu. It will merge all layers. Used, for example, before sending an image for printing. This way, it will be impossible to make changes to your work and accidentally ruin it. This will also protect copyright. However, the command is used quite rarely. It should be added that it is not necessary to go to the Layers menu in order to select the mentioned commands. Simply right-click on the layer on the right side of the screen and select the required command from the menu that opens. We hope that our little guide helped you figure out how to merge layers in Photoshop. Happy learning!

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Congratulations to the future Photoshop master!

In this article you will learn how to manage Photoshop layers- activate, move, fasten and combine.

1. Layer activity

For example, let's take our blue avatar, which consists of five layers.

It should be understood that each layer is responsible for its own part of the avatar. The “glasses” layer is for glasses, the “eyes” layer is for eyes, and so on. If we want to change the color of the frame of the glasses, then we need to activate the layer that is responsible for the glasses. To activate a layer, you need to click on the desired layer. Changing the color of the frame means working with the “glasses” layer:

Remember: only one layer can be active at a time.

2. Moving layers in the document

The tool is responsible for moving layers Move Tool- it is located on the tool palette.

When working with this tool, at the top under the main menu you will see a panel with its settings. IN this moment We are interested in the following setting:

If the setting is not checked (as in the picture), then no matter what part of the document you find yourself in, only the active layer will move. Now I have this layer with glasses. Using a tool Move Tool I moved the frame up.

If the setting Auto Select Layer is marked, then the layer on which you click in the document will move (grab the mouth - move, grab the eyebrows - drag, etc.) This is very convenient function, if the objects are quite large, small objects, such as letters, are harder to grasp, in this case it is better to disable the checkbox.

3. Moving Layers in the Layers Palette

Now let's talk about moving layers in the Layers palette. At the moment, if we list from top to bottom, then I have the following order for placing layers: glasses, eyebrows, eyes, mouth, blue square. And all together they form a cute blue avatar. Go to the layers palette, stand on the “eyes” layer, hold down the mouse button and move it to the very top in place of the “glasses” layer (at the same time you should have a grabbing hand).

This is what we got - the layer with the eyes covers the layer with the glasses.

In fact, it still suits him better when his eyes are behind the glasses - move it back! The main thing is that you understand the meaning of dragging layers. There are times when you don’t see a layer, go to the palette, maybe it’s simply covered by one of the existing elements. In this case, you need to take and move your lost layer to a higher level.

4. Bonding layers

If you would like the eyebrows to move along with the eyes, then the function will help us with this Link Layers, which is located at the bottom of the panel Layers

or in the main menu Layers - Link layers (Layer - Link Layers).

With the key held down Ctrl Click on the layers that you want to link together. In our case, select “eyebrows” and “eyes”, and then click on the icon Link Layers. Now the eyes and eyebrows of the avatar will be inseparable.

You can remove the fastener with the same click. Or, conversely, add to other layers.

5. Merging the layer with the bottom one

Now let's try to combine two layers into one. Let's merge the “eyes” and “glasses” layers. Why go to the layer with glasses and press the key combination Ctrl+E or in the main menu Layers - Merge with previous (Layer - Merge Down).

Now we have this picture - we have combined the layer with the bottom one:

6. Merging all visible layers

To connect all parts of the avatar together, press the key combination Shift+Ctrl+E or Layers - Merge Visible, then all visible layers will be merged into one layer.

Now we have a single and indivisible blue avatar.

See you in the next lessons!

The rule is that You should keep each image element on a separate layer, in some cases it does not work. Sometimes you need to merge layers together. It can be just two layers or even all at once. For these purposes, Photoshop has commands such as Union, gluing And mixing. What these commands mean, as well as in what cases and why they may be needed is explained in this article.

So, to use these commands, you must have at least two layers in the layers palette. Access to merging commands is available through the context menu, called by right-clicking on the layer.

Merging layers

If you have achieved perfection from a fragment of an image and know what is more never If you don't want to change it, you can combine two or more layers into one. This will not only reduce the length of your layers palette, but will also make smaller size final file.

Photoshop offers several ways how to merge layers.

Merging with previous

If you want to combine two layers located next to each other, select the top layer from this pair, and then select the command (Merge Down) from the context menu or press the hotkey combination Ctrl+E.

For example, you need to combine layers 4 and 3. To do this, you need to call up the menu on the 4th layer and select this command:

Result:

Merging Visible

Using (the eye icon on the left side), prepare the necessary layers for merging: for those that need to be collapsed, leave the eye icon, and for those layers that should remain untouched, remove the eye icon.

After this, call the context menu by right-clicking on any of the visible layers and select the command (Merge Visible) or press the hotkey combination Shift+Ctrl+E.

For example, the task is to collapse only layers 5, 4 and 3. This means you need to remove the visibility icon from 1 and 2:

Result:

Merge selected

Often the palette is a mess and layers are scattered completely haphazardly and chaotically. Therefore, in order to merge layers that are far from each other, they must first be selected by general rule To select layers, hold down the Ctrl key and click on each desired layer () in turn. They will become highlighted. Now you can apply the command to them Merge Layers(Merge Layers) or press the hotkey combination Ctrl+E.

For example, you need to collapse layers 1, 3 and 5. Select them, then select the command:

Result:

Merging related

If you are, you can also combine them easily. First you need to select all connected layers. The fastest way to do this is through the program menu Layers - Select linked layers(Select Linked Layers). After this, you can open the context menu and select the command Merge Layers.

Result:

Gluing layers

You can think of gluing as more safe version merging, since in this case the newly created gluing will appear on a new layer, while the sources will remain untouched. You will just need to turn off the visibility of the sources so as not to interfere. Then at any time you can always return to them.

Scientifically, this action in Photoshop is called: Print Layers.

There are two ways how to glue layers in photoshop.

Gluing selected

The command can only be accessed using the hotkeys Ctrl+Alt+E. First you need the layers that you want to glue together.

So as not to get confused, new layer will automatically receive a name prefix "United".

For example, you need to glue layers 2 and 4. Select them in the palette using the Ctrl key held down:

Then we use the hotkey combination:

Bonding visible

Turn off the visibility of the layers you don't want to stamp by clicking on the visibility icons and then pressing Ctrl+Shift+Alt+E.

Or you can also hold Alt key when choosing a team.

For example, you need to glue layers 3 and 4, which means you need to remove the visibility icon from the rest:

Now either press the hotkey combination, or you can call up the context menu and, while clicking on the command, hold down the Alt key.

The result will be gluing while preserving the originals:

Flattening Layers

Flattening layers collapses absolutely all the layers on the palette, leaving only one layer. It automatically receives the name “Background” and becomes (as indicated by the padlock icon). Moreover, all images become white.

To flatten layers, select the command from the context menu Perform flattening(Flatten Image).

Result:

Download my PSD file and try to work through all the analyzed examples to thoroughly consolidate the material you have read. Merging layers in Photoshop is not at all difficult process, but has its own nuances. Practice and then you will understand everything right away. Good luck in your studies!

If you notice an error in the text, select it and press Ctrl + Enter. Thank you!

A drawing in Photoshop can consist of one or several layers, and any of them (except the background) can have transparent areas through which underlying elements are visible. Most important feature The components of the drawing are their absolute independence and independence from others, and the result of their interaction with each other depends on the method of combining layers in Photoshop.

You can draw and erase on a layer, move it, lock it, temporarily hide it, transform it, change its opacity, make it a smart layer, or delete it altogether. You can “put a mask” on it and draw on it or “cover” it with a corrective analogue in order to make corrections without destroying the original.

A novice user who has launched the program for the first time with the intention of creating a masterpiece does not need to rack his brains over how to make layers in Photoshop, because by pasting an image copied to the clipboard into a document or loading a picture using the "Place" command (in the "menu" File"), it will detect that the objects are inserted, automatically positioning themselves in the palette in a new place.

Layers panel

Each layer on the panel is equipped with a miniature copy of its image and an icon of an eye, closing which with a mouse click temporarily turns off the visibility of the image.

You can use your mouse to move the components of the palette up or down. Double click by thumbnail will select the contents of the layer on the canvas. By clicking on the icons in the “Lock” line, we can save the transparency and colors of the pixels, lock the position of the layer, or save them all (button with a lock).

Create a new layer

For those who are eager to learn how to create layers in Photoshop, at the bottom of the panel there is special button(leaflet with a folded corner), by clicking on it, you will place a new layer above the selected (selected) one. You can also add "New" as shown below.

As the hints on the other icons in the palette below indicate, we can (from left to right) “Add a style ...”, “Add a mask”, “Create a new adjustment ...”, “Create new group" and finally throw it in the trash. The same commands are duplicated in the Layer menu.

A new layer will be created if you right-click it and drop it onto the leaf icon in the panel below. You can rename it by double-clicking on its name in the palette.

Merging layers

All commands that determine how to merge layers in Photoshop are called by right-clicking or selecting from the Layer menu. There are “hot keys” for each command, which make the life of a “Photoshopper” very easy.

If one layer is selected in the palette, it can only be “Merge with previous”, and if two or more are selected, they can be linked, merged and grouped by selecting the appropriate commands. You can select them simultaneously by clicking on them while holding down the Ctrl key, or select the top one and then press Shift to select the bottom one.

You can not select anything, but simply select the “Merge Visible” command.

The ability to manipulate multiple components at once depends on how you combine layers in Photoshop.

Layers are collected into a group using the "Group..." command in the Layer menu (Ctrl + G). The advantages of joining a group are that its members have general parameters opacity and blend mode, eliminating the need to fiddle with each layer. In addition, you can move and transform (Ctrl + T) the entire group, as well as create a single mask for it.

If you choose a very tricky key combination Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E, Photoshop will combine all the selected ones into a single, separate layer with the resulting effect, placing it on top of the others and keeping each one in its place in the palette.

How to "layer"

The “originality” of the title is associated solely with the desire to cause a smile (a friendly one), and in fact, calls for focusing on such an extremely important and incredibly broad topic: how to apply layers in Photoshop.

The “Blending Modes” ( Blending mode), a drop-down list of which is located at the top of the panel.

The editor can count desired effect from the imposition of many layers of different colors, using for this different ways and algorithms. In CS6, for example, there are already 27 such algorithms (mixing modes).

All blending modes are divided into 6 groups based on the principle of common behavior (with the exception of the first, nameless group). Their number and names translated into Russian may differ depending on different versions editor.

The first two modes have absolutely nothing in common. "Regular (Normal)" is set by default, and blending occurs only if the layers have different opacity. And in the “Fade (Dissolve, Scatter)” mode, nothing is mixed at all. Here the top layer crumbles into small dots, and the more of them, the lower the opacity.

The second group consists of “Darkening modes”, in which the resulting image is always darker than the original layers.

The next 4-5 are combined into a lightening group, since each of them is the opposite of the corresponding mode from the second group.

The contrast group includes seven modes, each of which darkens something and brightens something in the image, ultimately enhancing contrast.

The fifth group includes 2-4 of them and is called “Comparison (comparison) modes”. The tools of this group, calculating differences in color channels, compare pixels between layers and are rarely used in photo editing.

The last group with the name “Color Component Modes” is also called HSL group by the names of the first three modes (Hue, Saturation, Luminosity). In each of the elements of this “company,” the top layer controls either the brightness, saturation, or color of the bottom one.

Thus, final result creating or editing an image will depend on how to combine layers in Photoshop and what blending modes will be used.

When it comes to photo editing, there are five blend modes that are most commonly used (Overlay, Multiply, Screen, Brightness, and Color).