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How to End a Layers Session

Q: What is the best way to end a session in which I've been using a layer (or layers)?
Do I just click "flatten layers" and then save?
Thanks!
Dave


A: I would say that it depends on what you did to your photo during the session.

If you do a special effect like in the Burnt Edge Tutorial you probably don't want that effect to permanently be on your original photo.

But if you make an improvement to the quality of the photo like Whiten Teeth or Remove Glare from Glasses you probably wouldn't mind replacing the old version of the photo with the new and improved version.

Let's take a closer look at those two scenarios.

Scenario 1 - Applied a Special Effect

You created Layers in your photo during the process of applying an effect to the picture. You might want to have 3 versions of the photo:

  1. Your original photo. This is left unchanged because after you apply the effects to it you do a Save As which actually creates a new Photoshop Elements document.

  2. The new LAYERED special effect version. (This version is optional). The Layers are left intact so you can go back in and adjust the effect. With this version after you have finished you do not flatten the Layers.

    Go up to the File menu and choose Save As…

    When the dialog window opens give your file a new name that makes sense to you (maybe Dave burntedge_layered) and choose a location to save it to. Then in the Format drop-down menu choose Photoshop and click Save.

    The Photoshop format unlike most other file formats, allows you to save your image with Layers. Your original file will be exactly the same as it was and now you'll also have a new Layered file that you can go in and adjust.

  3. The new FLATTENED special effect version. After you have saved your Layered version, (or if you aren't saving a Layered version, then after you have finished creating your effect) immediately go to the Layers Palette and click and hold on the arrow at the very top-right of the palette. This will reveal the drop-down menu. Move your mouse down towards the bottom of the menu until you're over Flatten Image and release the mouse.

    That will merge all your Layers into one Layer called Background in the Layers palette. Now go up to the top of your screen to the File menu and choose Save As…

    When the dialog window opens give your file a new name that makes sense to you (maybe Dave burntedge_flattened) and choose a location to save it to. Then in the Format drop-down menu choose JPEG and click Save.

    The advantage of Flattening the Layers is that it makes your file size much smaller so it conserves on computer space. The disadvantage is that you can no longer go in and adjust those Layers because they are gone.

Scenario 2 - Improved the Quality of your Photo

This would be a situation where you used Layers to make a change to your photo quality that you are happy with and are sure you're never going to want to go back to the way it was originally.

This is pretty easy. You just go to the Layers Palette and click and hold on the arrow at the very top-right of the palette. This will reveal the drop-down menu. Move your mouse down towards the bottom of the menu until you're over Flatten Image and release the mouse.

That will merge all your Layers into one Layer called Background in the Layers palette. Now go up to the top of your screen to the File menu and choose Save.

Your photo will now be the new and improved version.

I hope that answers your question for you Dave. If you need more clarification use the "Add Your Comment" link below. That goes for any other visitors also. Let me know what you think.

Until next time,
Rick

Comments for
How to End a Layers Session

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Thank you!
by: Dave

Rick,
Thanks very much! The information is exactly what I needed.
Interesting that of all the many tutorials I've seen, none have addressed how to end a layers session!
You've got a new fan...please keep up the great work!!
Thanks again,
Dave
"How to end a layers session"
by: JAW

This is my reply to Rick's answer to the above topic. Let's say you have made several layers to your photo and you now have these layers in your layers palette area and now want to save your work. "Save your work" can be interpreted in several ways as previously explained in Rick's reply.

I am only going to add a few lines to hopefully help explain Scenario 1, #3. This is my take on Rick's selection. If I "abbreviate" using this sign (> caret sign) - it is to tell you to go to the next step. I do hope you can follow me as I tend to use shortcuts (if I remember them) whenever possible.

Example: Flatten your image - flatten as stated above or go to Layer>flatten image. I am using PSE 6 for Mac. so my shortcuts may be located in a different area in relation to your version of Adobe Photoshop elements. If so, look around under the different heading in your version, hopefully you will find "flatten" or "flatten image" there and can follow along.

After you have flattened your image>Save As>click on JPEG box, click on Save. Now your almost home. IN the next popup box ("use jpeg options")>set "quality - 8", "baseline optimized">OK. This saves your current improved fattened photo by replacing your old photo with a new, improved version you made using layers. Hope this helped others understand this one area and how it makes for a new improved saved photo.

Now if you want to use this photo, say, as a photo for your desktop, you will need to drag your new photo into "preview">Edit>Select All>Save As( jpeg or png)>that is it, it is no longer a PSD file and will no longer open in elements when clicked on. That does not mean you can't drop this photo in elements ever again - it just means this photo will now open on your desktop and not in elements.

Remember, experimenting is the mother of solving many a question. If you don't like what you have made, through it away (delete the elements layers not the original photo), it will not affect the original photo you have used in your experiment.

By experimenting you begin to understand the effects you can make on, around, or within a photo and how to use these effects with different projects in the future. Learning or understanding elements is a process, a process that is an ongoing effort even for me. I am always learning something new and willing to share that info whenever, wherever I can.

Any questions - just ask, our members here may be new or old hands at this but you have to initiate the asking. Hopefully I have not mettled things up. If your a PC person, I'm not much help.

Regards, JAW
How to End a Layers Session
by: Rick

Hey Dave,

Thanks for your kind words. It's always great to hear I was able to help someone.

Take care,
Rick

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