PDN Fanatics

I do hope I've posted this question in the right place

I have a project that presently has 50 layers and my computer is groaning. I'm pretty sure that I'm happy with the top half of this landscape and would like to know what is best to do next.

a) should I now merge down the layers, or
b) flatten the image

I then want to continue with the project, finishing the lower half of the landscape.
I'd really appreciate some guidance and thank you in advance.

Both merging and flattening will help your computer. Merging is a little less drastic, so that is what I recommend.

When I am working on memory intensive images, I will often work over several images, with each part being one Paint.NET file. I then combine them into one image, flatting the separate files so I can copy paste the whole thing, but then undoing the flatten so I preserve the layers. The net effect is that I have fewer layers on my main image, but can still change any thing I want later.

I hope that is coherent, I typed it up rather fast (I'm a bit short on time this morning.)

Thanks so much, Ben, for the quick response. I will be merging down a lot more from now on. I will have to "digest" the rest of your reply over a cuppa!

Note that merging down, and flattening don't always gives the same results. If you adjust the opacity on some layers things get more complicated. I don't know the exact way this works, but if you just merge layers, you may have to put in some blank layers to make it work. This will sort of convert the layer opacity to color transparency.

That's an important point, Lief.

When merging a stack of layers, the bottom layer
needs to have default Layer Properties.

If unsure, the safest way is to position a new transparent layer
at the bottom of the stack and merge layers down into it,
starting with the next layer up, and continue merging that way,
from the bottom up.

If you start at the top or in the middle you may be in for some surprises.

That`s a handy tip about the transparent layer . I have no end of trouble trying to merge some layers. Never knew they had to have default settings. Thanks a lot.

Yeah, I figured that out the hard way.

It's only the bottom layer that everything else gets merged
into that needs to be default,everything else can be whatever
it is in terms of properties.

That's why it's best to work from the bottom up,
so every layer gets to be merged down into that default one.

Also want to be careful not to accidentally merge
a layer that's a not visible layer.
It will become visible when merged and could be a bit startling.

Thankfully, there is the Undo function.

Sarkut, you're amazing! It's so good to have you here too. Your input is invaluable - as attested by your posts above.

Thanks so much for the tips.

@Leif - I will now try to remember to add some blank layers if required.
@Sarkut - Oh yes! Before you posted I found this out. I merged from top to bottom, 50 layers and when I arrived at the end .......... all the work I'd done above, had gone! Thank goodness for 'undo'. Great tip about the transparent layer - I will experiment with this.

As a rule of thumb, never work on the default background layer. Always start a new layer and work from there forward. That's why many of my glass images remains transparent.

I agree with Lance there. I always make a new layer when I start. It also means you are free to insert any background you want without having to make a new layer then move it down to the bottom.

@Surkut. Thanks for clarifying that. I knew it was something like that, but wasn't quite sure.

Just as a fair-warning disclaimer, the merging method I described
should be good about 95+% of the time.

There will still be special cases that need special handling,
so don't be dismayed if you run into one.