Export Layers; Merging Layers - Adobe Photoshop CS6 User Manual

Deleting layers you no longer need reduces the size of your image file.
To quickly delete empty layers, choose File > Scripts > Delete All Empty Layers.
1. Select one or more layers or groups from the Layers panel.
2. Do one of the following:
To delete with a confirmation message, click the Delete icon
Group from the Layers panel menu.
To delete the layer or group without confirmation, drag it to the Delete icon
icon, or press the Delete key.
To delete hidden layers, choose Layers > Delete > Hidden Layers.
To delete linked layers, select a linked layer, choose Layer > Select Linked Layers, and then delete the layers.

Export layers

You can export all layers or visible layers to separate files.
Choose File > Scripts > Export Layers To Files.

Merging layers

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.
Note: You cannot use an adjustment or fill layer as the target layer for a merge.
In addition to merging layers, you can stamp them. Stamping allows you to merge the contents of more than one layer into a target layer while
leaving the other layers intact.
Note: When you save a merged document, you cannot revert back to the unmerged state; the layers are permanently merged.
Merge two layers or groups
1. Make sure that the layers and groups you want to merge are visible.
2. Select the layers and groups you want to merge.
3. Choose Layer > Merge Layers.
Note: You can merge two adjacent layers or groups by selecting the top item and then choosing Layer > Merge Layers. You can merge linked
layers by choosing Layer > Select Linked Layers, and then merging the selected layers. You can merge two 3D layers by choosing Layer > Merge
Layers; they will share the same scene and the top layer will inherit the bottom layer 3D properties (the camera views must be the same for this to
be enabled).
Merge layers in a clipping mask
1. Hide any layers that you do not want to merge.
2. Select the base layer in the clipping mask. The base layer must be a raster layer.
3. 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.
Merge all visible layers and groups in an image
Choose Merge Visible from the Layers panel or the Layers panel menu. All layers showing an eye icon
Note: A visible layer must be selected to enable the Merge Visible command.
Stamp multiple layers or linked layers
When you stamp multiple selected layers or linked layers, Photoshop creates a new layer containing the merged content.
1. Select multiple layers.
2. Press Ctrl+Alt+E (Windows) or Command+Option+E (Mac OS).
Stamp all visible layers
1. Turn visibility on for the layers you want to merge.
2. Press Shift+Ctrl+Alt+E (Windows) or Shift+Command+Option+E (Mac OS).
Photoshop creates a new layer containing the merged content.
. Alternatively, choose Layers > Delete > Layer or Delete Layer or Delete
, Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the Delete
To the top
To the top
are merged.