Merge multiple layers

is it possible to select multiple layers (with layermask) and merge them?
tell application "Adobe Photoshop CS6"
    tell current document
        set current layer to every layer of layer set "bloem 1-9" of layer set "Bloem"
        tell current layer
            merge
        end tell
    end tell
end tell

c.pfaffenbichler,
You are right, this is the wrong place to ask.
thanks.

Similar Messages

How do I automate merging multiple layers with same name?

It was suggested I ask this question in this forum - any advise gratefully received!
I have to combine over a 800 files into one photoshop file. Each file has with sixty layers. The 60 layers in each file are named identically: Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3 up to Layer 59, Layer 60. My intention is to create a final composite file with 60 merged layers (for an animation). That is, with all the Layer 1's merged, all the Layer 2's merged, all the Layer 3's merged and so on. What I need is a script which will merge all layers with the same layer name, ie all the Layer 1s, all the Layer 2s etc (ideally without having to merge each set of layers separately).
I am using Photoshop CS6 and at present I am merging by using the find/name function, then highlighting all the layers selected and then using 'merge layers'.
Any ideas?
Best
JR

This might be close, it will prompt for a folder containing all the 800 files, it will use tif or psd files.
Once you have selected the folder sit back and watch...
#target photoshop
app.bringToFront();
main();
function main(){
selectedFolder = Folder.selectDialog( "Please select input folder");
if(selectedFolder == null) return;
var fileList = selectedFolder.getFiles(/\.(tif|psd)$/i);
open(fileList[0]);
checkBackGround();
setLayersVisOn();
for(var z = 1;z<fileList.length;z++){
    open(fileList[z]);
    checkBackGround();
    setLayersVisOn();
    dupLayers(app.documents[0].name);
app.activeDocument.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
if(z % 9 == 0) mergeSameNamedLayers();
mergeSameNamedLayers();
function checkBackGround(){
activeDocument.activeLayer = activeDocument.layers[activeDocument.layers.length-1];
if(activeDocument.activeLayer.isBackgroundLayer){
    activeDocument.activeLayer.name=activeDocument.activeLayer.name;
function twoOrMoreSelected(){
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID("Dcmn"), charIDToTypeID("Ordn"), charIDToTypeID("Trgt") );
var desc = executeActionGet(ref);
if( desc.hasKey( stringIDToTypeID( 'targetLayers' ) ) ) return true;
return false;
function mergeSameNamedLayers(){
//Get a list of the layer names
var layerNameList = getNamesPlusIDs();
//create an array for unique layer names
var uniqueName = new Array();
for(var s in layerNameList){
    if(layerNameList[s][2] == "false") uniqueName.push( layerNameList[s][1].toString());
//now we should have unique layer names
uniqueName = UniqueSortedList( uniqueName ).sort();
//select all layers with the same name, merge them and set blendmode
var BlendMode = new String();
for ( var w in uniqueName){
    deselectLayers();
    for(var z in layerNameList){
        if(uniqueName[w].toString() == layerNameList[z][1].toString()){
            //select these layers and get blendmode.
            BlendMode = layerNameList[z][3].toString();
            selectLayerById(Number(layerNameList[z][0]), true);
if(twoOrMoreSelected()) activeDocument.activeLayer.merge();
        setBlendMode(BlendMode);
function setBlendMode(blendMode) {
var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID('Lyr '), charIDToTypeID('Ordn'), charIDToTypeID('Trgt') );
desc.putReference( charIDToTypeID('null'), ref );
var desc2 = new ActionDescriptor();
desc2.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID('Md '), charIDToTypeID('BlnM'), stringIDToTypeID(blendMode) );
desc.putObject( charIDToTypeID('T   '), charIDToTypeID('Lyr '), desc2 );
executeAction( charIDToTypeID('setd'), desc, DialogModes.NO );
function deselectLayers() {
    var desc01 = new ActionDescriptor();
        var ref01 = new ActionReference();
        ref01.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID('Lyr '), charIDToTypeID('Ordn'), charIDToTypeID('Trgt') );
    desc01.putReference( charIDToTypeID('null'), ref01 );
    executeAction( stringIDToTypeID('selectNoLayers'), desc01, DialogModes.NO );
function UniqueSortedList(ArrayName){
var unduped = new Object;
for (var i = 0; i < ArrayName.length; i++) {
unduped[ArrayName[i]] = ArrayName[i];
var uniques = new Array;for (var k in unduped) {
   uniques.push(unduped[k]);}
return uniques;
function selectLayerById(ID, add) {
    add = (add == undefined) ? add = false : add;
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putIdentifier(charIDToTypeID('Lyr '), ID);
var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
desc.putReference(charIDToTypeID('null'), ref);
if (add) {
desc.putEnumerated(stringIDToTypeID('selectionModifier'), stringIDToTypeID('selectionModifierType'), stringIDToTypeID('addToSelection'));
desc.putBoolean(charIDToTypeID('MkVs'), false);
executeAction(charIDToTypeID('slct'), desc, DialogModes.NO);
function dupLayers(DocName) {
var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID('Lyr '), charIDToTypeID('Ordn'), charIDToTypeID('Trgt') );
desc.putReference( charIDToTypeID('null'), ref );
var ref2 = new ActionReference();
ref2.putName( charIDToTypeID('Dcmn'), DocName);
desc.putReference( charIDToTypeID('T   '), ref2 );
desc.putInteger( charIDToTypeID('Vrsn'), 5 );
executeAction( charIDToTypeID('Dplc'), desc, DialogModes.NO );
function selectAllLayers() {
    var desc29 = new ActionDescriptor();
        var ref23 = new ActionReference();
        ref23.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID('Lyr '), charIDToTypeID('Ordn'), charIDToTypeID('Trgt') );
    desc29.putReference( charIDToTypeID('null'), ref23 );
    executeAction( stringIDToTypeID('selectAllLayers'), desc29, DialogModes.NO );
function setLayersVisOn(){
   var ref = new ActionReference();
   ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID('Dcmn'), charIDToTypeID('Ordn'), charIDToTypeID('Trgt') );
   var count = executeActionGet(ref).getInteger(charIDToTypeID('NmbL')) +1;
try{
    activeDocument.backgroundLayer;
var i = 0; }catch(e){ var i = 1; };
   for(i;i<count;i++){
        ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putIndex( charIDToTypeID( 'Lyr ' ), i );
        var desc = executeActionGet(ref);
        var layerName = desc.getString(charIDToTypeID( 'Nm ' ))
        if(layerName.match(/^<\/Layer group/) ) continue;
        if(!desc.getBoolean(stringIDToTypeID('visible'))){
            var list = new ActionList();
            list.putReference( ref );
            desc.putList( charIDToTypeID('null'), list );
            executeAction( charIDToTypeID('Shw '), desc, DialogModes.NO );
function getNamesPlusIDs(){
   var ref = new ActionReference();
   ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID('Dcmn'), charIDToTypeID('Ordn'), charIDToTypeID('Trgt') );
   var count = executeActionGet(ref).getInteger(charIDToTypeID('NmbL')) +1;
   var Names=[];
try{
    activeDocument.backgroundLayer;
var i = 0; }catch(e){ var i = 1; };
   for(i;i<count;i++){
       if(i == 0) continue;
        ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putIndex( charIDToTypeID( 'Lyr ' ), i );
        var desc = executeActionGet(ref);
        var layerName = desc.getString(charIDToTypeID( 'Nm ' ));
        var Id = desc.getInteger(stringIDToTypeID( 'layerID' ));
        if(layerName.match(/^<\/Layer group/) ) continue;
        var layerType = typeIDToStringID(desc.getEnumerationValue( stringIDToTypeID( 'layerSection' )));
         desc.hasKey( stringIDToTypeID( 'smartObject' ) ) ? SO = true : SO=false;
         var blendmode = typeIDToStringID(desc.getEnumerationValue( stringIDToTypeID( 'mode' )));
Names.push([[Id],[layerName],[SO],[blendmode]]);
return Names;

How do I merge multiple layers in CS6?

I am used to using the keyboard commands cmd + E and cmd + shift + E in previous CS Editions. I am currently trying to merge together a number of paths please help!

Hello, could you post a screenshot of what you get, or describe the file? Are the two shapes on different layers?
If they are on different layers, just multiple-select the layers, and use CTRL+E. Note that their stroke and fill will be those of the topmost layer.
To combine sub-paths, look at the options you'll find under this button on the Shape Tool's Option Bar:
The last one will create a single shape.
http://forums.adobe.com/servlet/JiveServlet/downloadImage/2-4755563-239412/combine.gif
Hope this helps!

Selecting multiple layers and merge

is it possible to select multiple layers (with layermask) and merge them?
tell application "Adobe Photoshop CS6"
    tell current document
        set current layer to every layer of layer set "bloem 1-9" of layer set "Bloem"
        tell current layer
            merge
        end tell
    end tell
end tell

Yes, for that you have to select the layers that are in the set. Here is one way using javascript
function selectLayerBelow( add ){
    var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
        var ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID( "Lyr " ), charIDToTypeID( "Ordn" ), charIDToTypeID( "Bckw" ) );
    desc.putReference( charIDToTypeID( "null" ), ref );
    if(add!=undefined && add = true )desc.putEnumerated( stringIDToTypeID('selectionModifier'), stringIDToTypeID('selectionModifierType'), stringIDToTypeID('addToSelectionContinuous') );
    desc.putBoolean( charIDToTypeID( "MkVs" ), false );
    executeAction( charIDToTypeID( "slct" ), desc, DialogModes.NO );
// assumes a layerSet the the activeLayer and doesn't work correctly if there are nested layerSets
var numberOfLayersInSet = app.activeDocument.activeLayer.layers.length;
selectLayerBelow();
for(var layerIndex = 1;layerIndex<numberOfLayersInSet;layerIndex++){
    selectLayerBelow( true );
app.activeDocument.activeLayer.merge();

How do I automate merging of multiple layers by name?

I have to combine over a 800 files each with sixty layers to create a final document with 60 layers (for an animation). All the 60 layers in each file are named 01, 02, 03 up to 59, 60. Iam using Photoshop CS6 and at present I am merging by using the find/name function, then highlighting all the layers selected and then using 'merge layers'. Is there a quick comand/action to merge all layers with the same names, ie all 01s, all 02s etc without having to merge each set of layers separately.
Any advise gratefully received.

I may have misunderstood the op.
So you need to merge the 60 corresponding Layers from 800 different files?
Could you post a screenshot with the Layers Panel visible? (with the camera icon)

Photoshop Elements select tool, when targeting layer or multiple layers the layer properties box pops up. Having to very carefully and repeatedly select and highlight layers to move, or merge when using Move Tool. Win 8, Adobe 12, Intuos 4 w/ updated dr

This issue has been going on for several weeks.
The Move Tool is not functioning properly when selecting and TARGETING a layer or multiple layers, as the Layer Properties box pops up requiring me to close it and try again.
How to reset or is there an update and fix for this issue.
Using Win 8, Elements 12, and Intuos 4 Pen and Tablet.

To reset the tool I suggest click on it once and then look for something like this in the bottom half of your window:
In the above picture I have marked one section in red box. You need to click on it to get the option to either reset the only tool you have clicked or to reset all the tools in the editor window. Of course you have to be in Expert Mode to get this to work.
Good luck.

How to Apply adjustment layers to multiple layers that have different blending modes ...

How to Apply adjustment layers to multiple layers that have different blending modes and keep the colours the same as the adjusment done?
I work in Animation painting Backgrounds. My files are sometimes upwards to 200+ layers.
I will use adjustment layers to quickly balance colours and constrast on top of those many many layers.
The only way that I know of how to apply adjustment layers it to every single layer ( by applying I mean I need to get rid of the adjustment layers because we cant use them in production but i need the new colours be applied to all layers underneath ) in a psd is to manually do it By duplicating the adjusment layer 200+ times and then merging each layer to one of those adjustment layers so that that layer can take the adjustment layers effect permanently.
The issue is that Within Those 200 layers I have some layers set to Multiply or OVERLAY.    IT obviously wont apply the adjustment layer properly to those layers because those layer blend mode affect the layers under them. The colour wont be the same anymore in the spots that had the multiply blended mode.
HEres an example of a simple File. to show what i mean.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3408266/ball%20layers.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3408266/ball.psd
I have 2 adjustment layers up top. I need to get rid of them by applying them to each layer! I cannot merge any of the layers. We need all those layers for production.
I can apply the adjustment layers manually and this works GREAT for all Layers set to normal. THey take on the colour change just FINE.
However, The issue is that layer 6 and layer 4 are both set to mutiply and this screws up the colour once i apply the adjustment layers to each layer manually...
How can i apply my adjustment layers to a file like this with some layers being set to multiply while keeping the layers exactly the same configuration and The new colour taking efffect exactly how i looks before i apply the adjustment layers?
Now the simple solution is to merge the multiply layers to the layer that it affects HOWEVER I NEED those multiply layers to be seperate!
I'm assuming what I want to do is impossible? Hope this isnt confusing. As far as i know its impossible to do what I want it to do. but just wanted to ask and see.
I would REALLY REALLY love to talk to a adobe programmer/ technician/pro working at adobe about this. Theres just no way to get in touch with anyone... =(
any thoughts ?

Sure... if you want to put it that way. Either way its not the desirable outcome.
its just frustrating that theres no way to apply adjustment layers to hundreds of layers while keeping them in the same configuration ( blendmodes, layer order , without merging) while keeping the same end result.
works great if all your layers are set to normal though..    But I really need to keep shadow layers seperately and be able to adjust on the fly aswell as apply those adjusment to all my layers.
I suppose that just isnt possible.   I understand the math required for this would be tremendous/ complicated if something like this would ever be implemented. Would be nice if adobe could come up with some solution to this. Its really a huge issue in my work flow and theres no alternatives.    How else can I adjust colours to 100+ layers with a few clicks that lets me play around the the adjustment until im happy with the outcome.    Really wish i could adjust and the quickly apply that adjustment to all my layers regardless of blend mode.   LIke If the Layers with blendmode could somehow take the properties of the adjustment layer and keep adjusting those layers undereathe on top of that blended mode that its doing...

__Is there a way to 'merge' multiple curves into a single curve?

__Is there a way to 'merge' multiple curves into a single curve?
By this I mean I have file with 2-12 curve layers - I wanted to 'merge' the curves so that I can end up with a single curve with the attributes of many. Maybe is there a script that would do this?

I don't mean to be critical, but how do you get to a situation where you have 12 successive Curves layers?
The advantage to a Curves layer is that you can adjust and re-adjust it to your heart's content.
If you're habitually adding new Curves layers one over the other, maybe you should re-evaluate your process of working... Perhaps the way you're thinking you should just work at a high bit depth and do repeated Curves operations on the pixels? Or put some time into retraining yourself to not add a new Curves layer but to manipulate the one that's already there. There are some nice new enhancements (e.g., the "finger" subtool that allows you to choose a spot in the image and manipulate that part of the curve).
Again, I'm not trying to criticize you, just looking to see if maybe there's a way to avoid getting to the point where you need to combine Curves in the first place, since there's no direct "Merge Curves" capability, outside of just stamping a set of image and adjustment layers into pixels. For completeness I suppose I should mention how to do that... You can Stamp any combination of visible layers into a single layer of pixels (effectively combining all the Curves layers et. al.) by pressing Control - Shift - Alt - E.
-Noel

Merging/Flattening Layers with different blending modes and maintaining the visual appearance

Hello,
I see there are many others that are having the same problem as me. And alas, it doesn't seem like the problem has been solved or very understood for that matter.
I want to be able to take a document, that has multiple layers, inside of multiple groups with various layers having various blending modes applied to them and from within that document, select simply two of those layers, one with a Divide blending mode and the other layer Normal, merge those two layers, but have the visual appearance of the merged layer maintain the visual appearance of what the layers looked like before I merged them.
Everytime I attempt this, Ps takes my Divide layer, reverts it back to Normal and then merges the layers, thus changing the appearance of what it was before the merge. This is not the desired result.
I understand that when you flatten an entire series of layers, it applies all the blending modes and maintains the visual appearance. Is there a way to do this with just two layers instead of all the layers? If so, that would be great information. If not, why not?
Thank you
Jake

Short answer: No.
A "layer" with a specific blending mode implies a sequence of math operations on a given pixel. Think of the visible pixel R, G, and B values as the result of a potentially complex math formula that combines numbers from each layer in complex ways (those ways being defined by the blending mode you've chosen). You can't always simplify particular factors of your choosing in a given math formula.
The next step is to examine why you would want to do so. Perhaps there's a more direct way to achieve your goal that would avert the need entirely.
Another possibility, if the effect of several layers together is something you'd like to manipulate as a unit, is to Group the layers.
-Noel

Can't select multiple layers

This sounds very obvious, I know.
But! I have lost the ability to select multiple layers. Shift, Command, Control Click. Nothing works. I can't select them with the selection box like I used to either. There must be a setting or something that I accidentally clicked? If I can't select multiple layers I basically can't do anything including grouping or linking or merging layers in additon to a bunch of other stuff that is crutial!
This is driving me batty.
Thanks in advance.

To supplement this it might also be a conflict with a third party software as well.
If the keyboard tmethsd of resetting the preferences doesn't work then
1. Quit Photoshop
2.Go to User/username/Library/Preferences/ Adobe Photoshop CS4 Settings and trash the settings folder, the whole folder not just the contents of the folder..
3. Start Photoshop. Photoshop creates a new preferences file.
Also if you recently updated your system there might be a conflict with the systems key board shortcuts, Like Spotlight, Universal access, dashboard and Exposé or asI said before it could be something like Quicken.
Have you installed anything lately.

Dragging To Select Multiple Layers In Document Window?

I've looked this up but can't seem to make it work. I want to select the 6 or 7 layers that make up a picture in my file. I'm working with a file someone else created so there are dozens of layers, which makes it hard to select just a few from the Layers Pallete.
Is there an easy way to select all the constituent layers of a particular item on the document window? I've tried ho0lding Shift down while trying to select all the layers, but that isn't effective because the layers are on top of eachother. Is there no way I can drag my mouse and have Photoshop select every layer that is complete inside the dragged area?
Thanks.
Ken

Ken, Marek's response is correct with regard to selecting, (read: targeting), layers in the Layers Panel.This is good if you need to apply a transformation to the contents of multiple layers simultaneously, use alignment/distribution features on those layers, or merge them.
Your description of what you're attempting, however, suggests you want to select the pixels residing on particular layers. The way you're doing it isn't the way it works. What you want can be done, but not in the image window. In the Layers Panel, Ctrl+Click on the layer thumbnail of the first layer you want selected, (you should see the actuated selection in the form of 'marching ants' surrounding the layer's non-transparent pixels...in the image), then add the Shift key and Shift+Ctrl+Click on the layer thumbnail of each of the additional layers to subsequently add their non-transparent pixels to the selection.
Note that all you're doing here is making a selection, as opposed to selecting the contents of multiple layers. Such a selection can only target a single layer, and any pixel-altering operation you apply with this selection active will only affect one layer...not all those that may have contributed to the additive selection-building process described.

Import Illustrator File with multiple layers and sublayers as composition retaining all layers and sublayers

I have drawn a country map with multiple layers and sublayers including streets, cities, rail lines, ...
Now I want to create a template for my collegues in After Effects.
For this I want to import the .ai file into After Effects retaining all sublayers and layers in compositions and subcompositions.
When I do that, I get the first couple of layers correctly, the other ones comes in one merged composition.
What can I do, to get all layers each as a layer in After Effects?
Yours, Raphael

Illustrator only imports the first level of layers. If you have groups or paths below you need to release the groups to layers. The layers will then be stacked in order as sub layers. Then you need to move them up.
The steps are to select a layer in the Illustrator layer panel, then without selecting any specific element in the layer click on the menu in the top right corner and select release to layers. All a elements in that layer will be converted to layers. Now select them all and drag them up above the original layer. This will leave the original layer empty and put all elements in new layers.
Here's a tutorial I did a zillion years ago which uses this technique to turn a blend into a morph.
Morphing With Adobe Illustrator. I hope this helps.

Importing PSD as multiple layers

Hi! Nearly every time I try to import a PSD document as multiple layers, Motion merges the layers on import, which renders the project useless. Anyone can help?

When you import a PSD, you need to click on it from the File Browser and *drag* it into your project (on the canvas is easiest, or into the layers pane.) Hold the mouse button down until a popup menu appears. You will be offered the choice of any of the individual PSD layers (with Choose Layer if you have a lot of layers) OR to import all layers OR import merged.
If you have layer styles in PS, you'll need to rasterize those layers first (or just convert them to Smart Objects.)

Merge All Layers?

Looking for a quick, one-step method for merging all layers.
Usually, I Select the top-most layer, then shift-click the bottom-most layer (selecting all layers between), then right click and hit "merge layers".
Simple enough - but I'm working on an "action" and recording the method above is limited because it relies on a file's specific layer names. I want to be able to use this action as a generic action for any project with multiple layers.
Is there a better way to do this or a File > Merge All option I'm missing?

You could try Shift+Ctrl+Alt+E (Shift-Cmd-Option-E) (merge visible layers to a new layer)
Or just flatten would merge all the layers
If you just want to select specific layers to merge you can use keyboard shortcuts that don't record layer names:
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/photoshop/cs/using/WSD578BD7D-07BC-46f6-AAC2-6E491E8AD818a.htm l#WS7D245964-27B4-403e-82D5-DDD1CB19A82Ba

I want to make a new layer of multiple items on multiple layers...

Hello,
This is probably easy, but I can't figure it out.
I have a multi layered document and I don't want to flatten things to do this.
Sure I can go the long route, but there has gotta be a better way that I just
do not know about.
I have drawn a selection with the marquee tool. But the items this selection includes are all on separate
layers.
Without merging them, how can I make a new layer out of this selection?
I'm on CS4
Thanks
Nikki

Stamp multiple layers or linked layers
When you stamp multiple selected layers or linked layers, Photoshop creates a new layer containing the merged content.
Select multiple layers.
Press Ctrl+Alt+E (Windows) or Command+Option+E (Mac OS).
Stamp all visible layers
Turn visibility on for the layers you want to merge.
Do one of the following:
Press Shift+Ctrl+Alt+E (Windows) or Shift+Command+Option+E (Mac OS).
Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS), and choose Layer > Merge Visible.
Photoshop creates a new layer containing the merged content.

Merge multiple layers

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