Question about Layers in PS CS

[heathscraps]

I've switched from PSP 7 to Photoshop CS just within the last few months, so it's still a learning curve for me. There is something that has always bugged me with PSP and I had hoped there was a way to go about making it easier in Photoshop. Perhaps I am overlooking this but I have yet to find a solution to this in PS...

I use a lot of layers in creating anything and sometimes I want to merge a couple of layers but want to still leave the numerous other layers unmerged as I am still manipulating them. So here's the question: Is there a way to merge a couple of layers together without having to hide the dozen of other layers and then going Merge Visible? Gosh, I hope I am making sense here lol It just takes a while to hide all the layers and then to make them visible again after merging just a couple of layers, so is there an easier way to do this?? Am I overlooking some easy shortcut to this?

Let me know if I need to articulate my question better!

[michie_michie]

You worded your question fine!

It's actually pretty easy. You just hold the Ctrl button down as you click on the layers you want to merge in the layers window. You can select as many layers as you like by doing this. When you have all the layers you want, just right click on one of them and select the "merge layers" option.

A different approach is to group layers into folders instead of merging them. I often make a several groups on my layouts to keep the layers more organized. For example, I might make a folder named "journalling" and put my journalling layer and the paper layers that mat the journalling in it. This is more flexible then merging the layers, because you could still recolor the papers later if you chose to. To make a folder, click the folder icon in the bottom of the layers window (it says "Create a new group" when you put your mouse over it). You can then drag and drop your layers into it.

How's that for a long winded answer? let me know if I've created more questions for you, or if that answers your original question!

Michelle

[heathscraps]

That is awesome!!! Thanks tons for the tips, Michelle!!! I'm going to try those both :)

[BarbaraS]

Wow! Applause! Thanks, Michelle!

[sweeetmelly]

Heather, You can also link your layers together within the layer pallete.... which is sometimes helpful if your layers contain small things that are difficult to click.

To link layers, select the first layer of your set. Then, click on the little box that is to the right of the eyeball (I'm not sure what this is called) on each of your subsequent layers. Anyway, a little chain link will appear.

Hope this helps.

[heathscraps]

These are some awesome tips!! thanks tons! :)

[michie_michie]

glad to help!