Adobe 23101335 User Guide - Page 256

Managing layered images, Tracking file size, Deleting a layer

Page 256 highlights

246 CHAPTER 8 Using Layers Managing layered images Adding nontransparent layers to an image increases its file size. To conserve disk space, you can delete layers or layer sets, merge two or more layers, or flatten all layers in an image into one layer. Tracking file size File size is proportional to the pixel dimensions of an image and the number of layers contained in the image. Images with more pixels may produce more detail at a given printed size, but they require more disk space to store and may be slower to edit and print. You should keep track of your file sizes to make sure the files are not becoming too large for your purposes. If the file is becoming too large, reduce the number of layers in the image or change the image size. To track file size: Check the values in the Document Sizes box at the lower left corner of the screen (Windows) or the image window (Mac OS). (See "Displaying file and image information" on page 78.) For more information on displaying file size, see "Changing image size and resolution" on page 95. The first (left) value indicates the size of the file if flattened. The second (right) value shows the estimated file size of the unflattened file, including any layers and channels. To track the use of the Photoshop scratch disk (temporary disk space used for storing data when RAM is insufficient), position the pointer over the triangle at the bottom of the image window, hold down the mouse button, and choose Scratch Sizes. Deleting a layer Delete layers and layer sets you no longer need to reduce the size of your image file. To delete a layer: 1 Select the layer or layer set in the Layers palette. • Click the Trash button ( ) at the bottom of the Layers palette, and click Yes, or drag the layer name in the Layers palette to the trash button. • You can also delete a layer using the Layer menu or Layers palette menu. To delete a selected layer automatically, Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the Trash button at the bottom of the Layers palette. When you Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) the Trash button while a layer set is selected, you can specify whether only the layer set is deleted, or the set and its contents.

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CHAPTER 8
246
Using Layers
Managing layered images
Adding nontransparent layers to an image
increases its file size. To conserve disk space,
you can delete layers or layer sets, merge two or
more layers, or flatten all layers in an image into
one layer.
Tracking file size
File size is proportional to the pixel dimensions of
an image and the number of layers contained in
the image. Images with more pixels may produce
more detail at a given printed size, but they require
more disk space to store and may be slower to edit
and print. You should keep track of your file sizes
to make sure the files are not becoming too large
for your purposes. If the file is becoming too large,
reduce the number of layers in the image or change
the image size.
To track file size:
Check the values in the Document Sizes box at the
lower left corner of the screen (Windows) or the
image window (Mac OS). (See “Displaying file
and image information” on page 78.) For more
information on displaying file size, see “Changing
image size and resolution” on page 95.
The first (left) value indicates the size of the file if
flattened. The second (right) value shows the
estimated file size of the unflattened file, including
any layers and channels.
To track the use of the Photoshop scratch disk
(temporary disk space used for storing data
when RAM is insuf
cient), position the pointer over
the triangle at the bottom of the image window, hold
down the mouse button, and choose Scratch Sizes.
Deleting a layer
Delete layers and layer sets you no longer need to
reduce the size of your image file.
To delete a layer:
1
Select the layer or layer set in the Layers palette.
Click the Trash button (
) at the bottom of the
Layers palette, and click Yes, or drag the layer name
in the Layers palette to the trash button.
You can also delete a layer using the Layer menu
or Layers palette menu.
To delete a selected layer automatically,
Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS)
the Trash button at the bottom of the Layers palette.
When you Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click
(Mac OS) the Trash button while a layer set is
selected, you can specify whether only the layer set is
deleted, or the set and its contents.