COLLAGE - Managing Layers

When working on an artwork with multiple layers, particularly collage, the sheer number of layers can start to become unmanagable. Here are a few things you may want to do to manage them.

Naming layers:
When you add a new layer, by default it is called 'Layer 1' (and so on, depending on how many layers you have). This can start to become confusing if you are wanting to reorder or make certain layers invisible.  It's a good idea to name your layers. Simple double click on the layer name and rename it to something significant.

You can also merge layers, which is particulary handy when you want to copy from an image with adjustment layers. There's different ways to do this.
1. You can drop one layer to the layer below it: Layer > Merge Down (Command E).
2. You can merge all visible layers: Layer > Merger Visible (Shift Command E).
3. Flatten the whole image so all layers are dropped to the background layer: Layer > Flatten Image.