Like any digital painting app, Procreate also has a “Layers” feature, which adds to its functionality enhancing its digital art making capabilities. These layers act like transparent sheets that are stacked one over another, which you can draw or paint on, without making changes to the original sheet.
By merging these layers, artists can organize their layer panel better, especially, while working with a large number of layers. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to merge layers in Procreate.
Merging Layers in Procreate
There are three different methods available to merge layers in Procreate.
Method – 1: Merge Two Layers at a Time
With the help of this method, you can merge two subsequent layers in Procreate. To do this:
- Open the canvas in your Procreate for Windows version.
- Go to the “Layers” menu by clicking on the “Double Page” icon present at the top right corner on your canvas screen.
- Now in the Layers menu, select that layer by clicking on it, which you want to merge with another layer.
Make sure that both the layers (top and bottom) are enabled (checked) and positioned subsequently.
- After selecting the layer, tap on it. Now, a popup menu will appear, click on “Merge Down” option present at the bottom in it and after that layers will be merged successfully.
- And repeat the process to merge other layers in this new layer.
Method – 2: Merge Multiple Layers Using Groups
This process allows you to merge multiple layers at a time, unlike the previous method in which you have to repeat the same process several times to merge multiple layers.
To merge multiple layers using the “Group” feature follow the steps given below.
- Open your project in Procreate.
- Go to the “Layers” menu by clicking on the “Double Page” button present at the top right corner of the screen.
- Now select your top layer that you want to include in the new merged layer.
- After selecting the top layer, select other bottom layers by sliding them right and ensure that all the layers are enabled (checked).
- Then click on the “Group” button present at the top right corner of the Layers menu, to group all the selected layers.
- After that, a new Group with these layers will be created. You can collapse this group by clicking on the drop-down arrow present at the top right corner of the Layers menu.
- Now click on this “New group” and then, a popup will appear, select “Flatten” in it. After that a new merged layer will be created.
Method – 3: Merge Layers With Pinch
Procreate has “Pinch to Merge” functionality with the help of it you can merge multiple layers at a time with pinching fingers. To merge layers using pinching in Procreate, follow the given steps.
- Open your project in Procreate.
- Click on the “Double Page” icon present at the top right corner of the screen, to open the Layers menu.
- And now to merge two consequent layers, put your one finger on the top layer and another on bottom and pinch it- they will be merged together.
- If you want to merge multiple layers with pinching then, first select your top layer by tapping on it and then select other layers by right sliding them and after that pinch them then they will be merged automatically.
While meringue layers in Procreate, remember to merge only those layers which you don’t want to edit anymore- once merged, different layers can be difficult to unmerge.
FAQs
How to unmerge layers in Procreate?
You can only use the undo option to unmerge the layers for only a few moments, right after you’ve merged them.
And after closing the Procreate app, there is no way to unmerge these layers, however, you can separate your elements in different layers by cutting them from the merged layer but this is only suitable for simpler art.
Unmerging With Undo
Once you have merged the different layers, then by immediately tapping on a “curved arrow pointing left” present at the lower left corner of the screen you can unmerge them. Alternatively do a Two-finger tap on the canvas to Undo.
Separating Elements From Merged Layer into Different Layers
To cut elements from the merged layer into different layers follow the given steps.
- Open your project with a merged layer.
- Go to the selection tool by clicking on the “S” shape icon present at the top left corner of the screen and then draw a boundary around the element that you want to separate.
- After that, go to the Actions (top right corner, a “Wrench” icon”) > Add > Cut.
- Now add a new layer by clicking the “Double Page” icon at the top right corner and then click on “Plus” icon. And after that go to Actions > Add > Paste.
- After that your element will be separated from the merged layer.
- Shortcut to do this– Select the “Selection” tool and make a boundary around the element and then swipe down with the three fingers on the canvas. In the new menu, choose “Cut & Paste.” Your selected element will be separated from the merged layer and a new layer will be created automatically.
