Photoshop Elements >
Layers >
Grouping & Merging Layers: When?
When does one group layers—or—merge layers?
Grouping
Short Story
When you group an adjustment layer with a layer below it—the adjustment layer only affects the layer below.
Long Story
Let's say you're making a collage of beach photographs.
You've got three layers:
1) Underwater
2) Running
3) Yellow
You can download grouping_exercise.psd.
(If you do so, ignore the three Type layers)
Below, the work area is on the left, and the layers stack, on the right.
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| Work Area | Layers Stack |
You create a Levels adjustment layer at the top of the layers stack.
You move the sliders.
Everything gets lighter or darker.
Both layers are affected, as well as the yellow background.
The Levels adjustment layer broadcasts its effect down to all of the layers below.
Below, everything below the Levels 1 adjustment layer got darker.
The effect is pronounced for clarity.
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| Work Area | Layers Stack |
What if you want to adjust each layer independent of the other layer?
Group a Levels adjustment layer with each photograph.
Do the following.
1) Select the Levels 1 layer (highlighted).
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Levels 1 |
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Underwater |
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Running |
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Yellow |
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Background |
2) Go to Layers > Create Clipping Mask, or press Ctrl + g.
A tiny arrow will appear in the Levels 1 adjustment layer, to the left of the Levels icon.
The Levels 1 adjustment layer is now grouped with the Underwater layer.
The Levels 1 adjustment layer now only affects the Underwater layer.
Below, the Underwater layer was made lighter.
The Running layer wasn't affected by the Levels 1 adjustment layer, nor was the yellow background.
Again, the effect is pronounced for clarity.
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| Work Area | Layers Stack |
Next, we'll create a Levels adjustment layer for the Running layer.
3) Select the Running layer (highlighted).
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↓ Levels 1 |
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Underwater |
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Running |
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Yellow |
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Background |
4) Create a Levels adjustment layer.
The Levels 2 adjustment layer will appear above the Running layer.
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↓ Levels 1 |
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Underwater |
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Levels 2 |
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Running |
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Yellow |
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Background |
5) Go to Layers > Create Clipping Mask, or press Ctrl + g.
A tiny arrow will appear in the Levels 2 adjustment layer, to the left of the Levels icon.
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Levels 1 |
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Underwater |
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↓ Levels 2 |
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Running |
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Yellow |
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Background |
The Levels 2 adjustment layer is now grouped with the Running layer.
The Levels 2 adjustment layer now only affects the Running layer.
Below, the Running layer was made darker.
The Levels 2 adjustment layer didn't affect the:
• Underwater layer.
• Yellow background.
Again, the effect is pronounced for clarity.
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| Work Area | Layers Stack |
More
If you haven't already done so, go to:
• Linking.
• Grouping.
Merging
When you merge layers, the contents of the layers become one layer.
Uncertain?
You can't undo the merge after closing the file.
If you're uncertain about merging files irrevocably, make a second copy of your image.
Go to File > Duplicate.
Merge the layers on the copy.
Two Reasons
You merge layers for two reasons.
Merge Reason #1 - Convenience
Are you retouching a face—making a collage—adding text here and there?
If so, you may have many layers.
The layers stack becomes hard to scroll up-and-down.
You can merge layers to clean up the layers-stack clutter.
For example, let's say you've got five layers with clouds.
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Cloud 5 |
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Cloud 4 |
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Cloud 3 |
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Cloud 2 |
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Cloud 1 |
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Background copy |
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Background |
Do the following.
1) Press and hold Ctrl, and click on the five cloud layers.
The layers will be active (highlighted).
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Cloud 5 |
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Cloud 4 |
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Cloud 3 |
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Cloud 2 |
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Cloud 1 |
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Background copy |
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Background |
2) Check to make sure each cloud is in the right spot.
You won't be able to move one of the clouds after the merge, as the clouds will be on a single layer.
3) Press Ctrl + e.
The new layer takes the name of the topmost layer, in this case, Cloud 5.
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Cloud 5 |
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Background copy |
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Background |
Merge Reason #2 - Can't Perform
An Operation on Separate Layers
If you have bits-and-pieces of an image scattered on many layers, you may not be able to perform an operation.
Most of the time, select Sample All Layers or All Layers, in options bar/Tool Options.
You'll be able to use the Clone Stamp tool, for example, even though the image is on multiple layers.
If that doesn't work, you'll have to select the pertinent layers, and press Ctrl + e.
Note
If one of the layer types below is at the bottom of the layers that you want to merge—you may have to simplify this bottom layer—before you can merge the layers.
| Type Tool |
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| Shape Tool |
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| Layer > New Fill Layer |
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To simplify:
• A layer made with a Shape tool, click Simplify in options bar/Tool Options.
• The other layer types, go to Layer > Simplify Layer.
Go to Simplify a Layer.