Flattening Channels

Channels with large layer stacks or complex groups of layers, adjustments and procedurals can be flattened into a single base layer to save space and simplify channel organization. Flattening layers does not affect the final output, as the texture from the accumulated layers is not changed, only combined into a single layer.

If you are considering flattening the layer stack for a channel so that you can save space when exporting the channel, please bear in mind that it is possible to flatten channels on export. Flattening a channel on export does not affect the layer stack in your project, but combines the layers into a single base layer in the exported file.

To flatten the selected channel, right-click in the Channels palette and select Flatten, or from the Channels menu, select Flatten. A progress bar displays showing the time left until the channel has finished being flattened.

Note:  To flatten channels containing multi-channel layers, you first need to either disconnect the required channels from the shader choosing the option to convert them to paintable layers, or flatten all the multi-channel layers within the Channel.