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Jp_508
Jp_508
Inspiring
March 27, 2017
Question

Flattening an Image

  • March 27, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 2944 views

In Ps after you've been working with say 3 or 4 images & using layer masks it's advised to flatten the image before re-importing back in Lr. Why should this be done & what are the pros & cons, I just don't understand what it does. Also do you just flatten the final image after using layer masks or select all images with associated layer masks & then flatten?

Looking forward to hearing from anyone who can shed some light on it for me. Thanks...

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3 replies

D Fosse
Community Expert
D FosseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 28, 2017

I see my initial post was a bit short and a bit misleading, but it was cleared up by the others.

Lightroom can only work with flat images, but that can be a composite layer embedded in a layered file. However, the layer data can not be used in Lightroom.

So if you want to do further work on the file in Lightroom, there's little point unless the file is already flattened. It's just like using the ACR filter (which is probably a better option in these cases).

    Jp_508
    Jp_508Author
    Inspiring
    March 28, 2017

    I'll give that a try, thx

    Per Berntsen
    Community Expert
    Per BerntsenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 27, 2017

    There is no need to flatten before importing to Lightroom, it can handle layered files, but you won't see the layers in LR. (it will display the image as if it were flattened, but the layers are still there)

    I do quite a lot of work with layered files in Lightroom, and have had no problems. When I choose Edit in Photoshop, the layers are there, but I can't see the adjustments I have made in LR - I use Edit Original.

    And I never flatten any of my layered files, if I need a flattened version, I flatten a copy, or export from Lightroom.

      davescm
      Community Expert
      davescmCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 27, 2017

      All you need for Lightroom is to ensure in Photoshop that you set the Preference under File Handling to Maximise PSD and PSB File Compatibility to "Always".  That saves a flattened version of the image in the PSD that will be used by Lightroom , along with the layers that are available when you open in Photoshop.

      Dave

      Per Berntsen
      Community Expert
      Per BerntsenCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 27, 2017

      Dave, I use Tiff files, for which there are no such setting in Preferences.

      So I'm guessing that Lightroom creates a preview of the flattened file. (Lightroom never displays the original, but creates its own preview, also for non-raw files)

      I never use the PSD format, but I would have thought that layered PSDs would work in Lightroom regardless of those settings?

      D Fosse
      Community Expert
      D FosseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 27, 2017

      Lightroom can only work with flattened files. It has no layer support.

      Jp_508
      Jp_508Author
      Inspiring
      March 28, 2017

      What about the 2nd part of my question. Do you highlight all images using the shift key then flatten or do you just flatten the bottom image only?

      Benjamin Root
      Benjamin Root
      Legend
      March 28, 2017

      Do you highlight all images using the shift key then flatten or do you just flatten the bottom image only?

      Flattening will combine (flatten) all layers into one background layer, regardless. If you use one of the merge features, the layers are not actually flattened, only merged.

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