This Photoshop keyboard shortcut will copy all the visible layers and merge them into a new layer. I use this handy shortcut with with nearly every image.
Let’s say I’ve added an adjustment layer to my image plus a burn/dodge layer, clone layer, etc. Now I want to apply a filter to the final result. I could flatten my image, but then I’ve lost the ability to edit those adjustments in the future. An easy way to accomplish this is to create a new layer that is a copy all of the layers and merge them into a new layer.
The Shortcut
Select the top layer to make it active, then press Command-Option-Shift-E (Mac) or Ctrl-Alt-Shift-E (PC).
Tip: This will create a merged copy of all the visible layers even if they are above the selection point, so make sure you’ve turned off any layers you don’t want merged!
This can also be handy if you need a merged copy of your textured image to place in a template or frame.
American Photographer and Designer living in France with my French husband, 2 Weimaraners and Cat Rescues. Camera, Mac, studio, garden.
I have to admit that I’m not an expert here though with these tips, I will make progress..
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In GIMP 2.6 there is an option “New from visible” after you right click on a layer in the layers dialog!
I found this page looking to find a way to do the gimp trick in photoshop…
I like photoshop, but some of these insane shortcuts on macs are just ridiculous… and why isn’t this just an option on the layers tool menu??
So weird…
A safer way to do this is by selecting all (Command+A on a Mac and Control+A on a PC) then hitting Command+Shift+C on a Mac or Control+Shift+C on a PC which will copy all visible layers without having to merge.
Hi Jason, this is safe, too. It creates a merged copy, it doesn’t merge all layers.
If you wish to retain the layers in the new document (i.e., not merge / flatten the layers) then an easy way is to select the layers in the layer window in the FROM document, right click and select duplicate, and in the duplicate windows select the TO document from the dropdown.
Thanks Daniel. Your tip applies to duplicating layers to a new document or different document, this tip is for placing a copy of the merged visible layers in the same document. You can do many things by right clicking, but I don’t think you can do this by right clicking. At least it didn’t work for me. Let me know if know differently. As always in Photoshop there are many ways to do something and I always appreciate comments with added information. 🙂
A CM Friend – I was looking for a short cut and found your site! I didn’t realize you had such an awesome site. 🙂 So good to see you here!
Thank you!
My Alt-click function was not working; thank you for the full keyboard command.