Join Julieanne Kost for an in-depth discussion in this video Merging and flattening layers, part of Photoshop CC 2017 Essential Training: The Basics.
- [Narrator] As your documents begin to contain…more and more layers,…sometimes those file sizes will grow to be quite large.…So people are always looking for a way…to reduce the file size,…but unfortunately the different ways that Photoshop has…to merge layers or to flatten images,…also removes some of their flexibility.…But let's take a look at them…so that you can decide for yourself.…Right now at the document size in the lower left hand corner…you can see that if this document was flattened…it would be about 12 Megs.…
But as a layer document it's 52.4 Megs.…So let's see if we can get that file size down.…Now one of the ways we could do this is by…cutting or cropping any extra information…that's actually outside of the visible canvas area.…So when we first brought this orange file…into this document,…it was actually a little bit bigger.…So there's actually some orange that is kind of…hanging out here, outside of the canvas area.…
So if I wanted to crop that I could do a quick Select All…and then in Image, and then Crop, and we can see that now…
Author
Julieanne Kost
Released
11/2/2016Julieanne Kost reviews the basics of digital imaging, from bit depth to image size, and shows how to use different Photoshop tools to crop and retouch photos, while always maintaining the highest-quality output. She shows the most efficient ways to perform common tasks, including working with layers, making selections, and masking. Along the way, you will learn the secrets of nondestructive editing using Smart Objects, and master features such as adjustment layers, blend modes, filters, and much more—increasing your productivity every step of the way.
- Opening files in Photoshop, Bridge, and Lightroom
- Arranging your workspace
- Modifying keyboard shortcuts
- Changing color mode, bit depth, and document size
- Cropping and straightening images
- Working with layers and layer masks
- Using brushes
- Making detailed selections
- Retouching
- Editing images with the Content-Aware tools
- Using blend modes
- Creating Smart Objects
- Using adjustment layers to change color, tone, contrast, and saturation
- Applying filters
Skill Level Beginner
Duration
Views
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Introduction
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Welcome57s
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1. Opening Files
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Opening files from Lightroom5m 10s
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2. Documents and Navigation
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3. Customizing the Photoshop Interface
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Customizing the toolbar5m 22s
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4. Digital Image Essentials
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Understanding file formats7m 11s
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Understanding color space4m 59s
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Changing document size5m 28s
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Saving documents3m 45s
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5. Cropping, Straightening, and Adjusting Canvas Size
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Using the Crop tool5m 38s
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Cropping to the perfect size4m 30s
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Increasing canvas size5m 52s
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6. Layers
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Exploring layer basics7m 53s
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Working with layer groups6m 34s
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7. Color and Brush Essentials
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Color basics3m 2s
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Brush options6m 51s
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8. Working with Layer Masks
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9. Making Selections
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Combining selections4m 41s
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10. Local Pixel Editing and Retouching
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Using the Clone Stamp tool3m 42s
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11. Blend Mode Essentials
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12. Smart Object Essentials
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Smart Object basics4m 19s
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13. Essential Transformations
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14. Adjustment Layer Essentials
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15. Essential Filters
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Overview of filters1m 10s
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Sharpening images7m 26s
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Conclusion
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Next steps40s
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Video: Merging and flattening layers