Also note that the laundry is in front of the window, and the graffiti is behind our groom. The second image wall has changed some! The wall is complete and it has graffiti, a one way ( senso unico) sign, and some windows. Our starting image (left) by Carlo Giorgi, for use only in this course, and our ending image (right), which we'll create with clever layering.Ī file with just a Background layer, like a JPEG, is considered "flattened." You can flatten any layered image by saving as a JPEG or going to Layer > Flatten Image. Let's use the duplicate approach on a new image and examine what it does. To duplicate, or jump, press Ctrl-J (PC) or Command-J (Mac). If you only wish to convert a Background layer to a regular layer, simply double-click its name and click OK in the dialog that appears. Large PSD could become an issue if you plan on sending them to others. Adding additional layers with artwork to your project will increase the size of the PSD file. Do you want to keep the original and make a duplicate of the Background layer, or do you want to simply transform the background layer into a more usable, unlocked form? Keep in mind that PSD files, which are the native files of Photoshop, can be large in size compared to a JPEG or other web ready file. There are two basic choices to confront when unlocking the background. So a good practice to follow is when you open a document with a Background layer, immediately change that background to an unlocked layer. If you cut something out of a Background layer, what's left underneath will be the background color you have in the bottom part of the toolbar. Notice the lock icon on the Background layer.