What is the difference between flattening an image or just merging visible in PSE?
I've been able to create several pages, and as long as all my layers are visible does it make a difference whether I flatten for printing or Merge visible? -( Yep - I'm saving 3 copies, one in psd (layers intact) another flattened psd, and still another jpg - and even buring a copy to cd too.) Would hate to be sorry later b/c I only merged when I should have flattened!

Thanks!
Kim

--- This scrapping thing is getting out of hand - I cannot! stay away!

I mostly use the merge visible only when wanting to merge two or three layers of a multilayer project. This of course leaves my other layers intact... so can still make adjustments... I think that is the main purpose of this command....but someone else will know more... I haven't got the manual with me here! I just use flatten image at the end when saving for web.

I use merge visible all the time as opposed to flatten.....flatten causes that icky white in the background if you have anything that is transparent....also I use merge if I say make a frame add some embellishments to it and then put the picture on because to get them exactly how I want them they each have to be in a different layer...after I am done I hide any layers that need to be and merge the frame the photo and the embellishments so I can move them all at once......but I am new at the digital scrapbooking this mostly applies to my backgrounds and such on my msn group.....Sorry if I didnt help

Kim,

Flattening and merging visible (when all your layers are visible) is doing the same thing. Do you have reasons for saving three different files of each LO? I usually just save a fully layered version and a small version for posting. Occassionally I have to give a printer a flattened PSD file but that's really just to save bandwidth while uploading the file.

I'm more likely to use Merge Linked than merge visible. I like to link multiple layers together that create an element and then when I'm happy with the outcome I'll merge them (CTRL+E).

HTH!

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Stacy
My Gallery

avatar photo by Marja Flick-Buijs downloaded at sxc.hu

Thanks for such quick responses - I appreciate the help!

Prior to finding your site, I purchased a CD tutorial for PSE specifically for scraping. It was a tremendous help and really "jump started" my scraping. In this CD it suggested that you save 3 copies as I talked about above. I assumed 1 was for printing (merged or flattened), another for editing (layered) and another for web. Having now actually created some pages, I imagine I could save some space by simply saving it in layers (psd). I could merge or flatten prior to printing or uploading (keeping my project open) and print or upload to the web - then use my Undo history to get back to my layers and save that way before exiting the project or program.

Anyway thats why I've been saving 3 copies - I've only done 4 pages so far & I have to admit its alot of files to keep track of!

Thanks again!
Kim

I save more than one as well.. I save my psp file.. I save my jpg in the full size.. and I save a jpg in a smaller size to post in the gallery... I keep a psp file for when I get better at this and realise I could have done something better then i can go back to my layered version and change it if I want to...

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~Renate