Exporting Layers; Tracking File Size; Merging And Stamping Layers; To Merge Two Layers Or Groups - Adobe PHOTOSHOP CS2 User Manual

Exporting layers

In Photoshop, you can export all layers or visible layers to separate files. Choose File > Scripts > Export Layers to
Files.
In ImageReady, you can export some or all layers of a document as files. You can export layers as Photoshop (PSD),
GIF, JPEG, PNG 8, PNG 24, WBMP, or SWF files. See "To export layers as files in ImageReady" on page 675.

Tracking file size

File size depends on the pixel dimensions of an image and the number of layers it contains. Images with more pixels
may produce more detail when printed, but they require more disk space to store and may be slower to edit and print.
You should keep track of your file sizes to make sure the files are not becoming too large for your purposes. If the file
is becoming too large, reduce the number of layers in the image or change the image size.
You can view file size information for an image at the bottom of the application window. For more information, see
"To display file information in the document window" on page 32.

Merging and stamping layers

Merging and stamping 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 the overlapped data on the lower layers. The intersection of all trans­
parent areas in the merged layers remains transparent.
Note: You cannot use an adjustment layer 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. Typically, the selected layer is stamped down to the layer below
it.
Note: When you save a merged document, you cannot revert back to the unmerged state; the layers are permanently
merged.

To merge two layers or groups

1 Make sure that the layers and groups you want to merge are visible.
Select the layers and groups you want to merge.
2
Choose Layer > Merge Layers.
3
Note: You can merge two adjacent layers or groups by selecting the top item and then choosing Layer > Merge Down or
Merge Group. You can merge linked layers by choosing Layer > Select Linked Layers and then merging the selected layers.
(In ImageReady you can choose Layer > Merge Linked.)
To merge layers in a clipping mask
Hide any layers that you do not want to merge.
1
2 Select the base layer in the clipping mask.
Choose Merge Clipping Mask from the Layers menu or the Layers palette menu.
3
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