Rasterizing Graphic

Rasterizing Photoshop Layer:

• Rasterizing a photoshop layer converts a vector layer to pixels.
• Vector graphics information is stored as a set of formulas which are evaluated to generate the graphic elements.
• When it is rasterized it will generate pixel level information (such as color and transperancy).

Why rasterize a layer?

• Certain tools like brush tool, eraser, paint bucket fill etc.. and most filters cannot be applied on a vector layer.
• In order to use these tools, the layer must be first converted to pixels.

What happens after rasterizing a layer?

• The layer looses the vector functionality.
• The text will be no longer editable, can't change words or font etc...

Make A Copy Of The Layer:

• Make a copy of the layer if you need to edit text in future and toogle off the visibility of the copy.
• We can do this by duplicating it by right click on the layer that has to be rasterized and select Duplicate layer.

How to rasterize a layer?

• There are many ways to rasterize a layer.
• For Type layers, Select the layer or layers you want to rasterize and the choose Type--->Rasterize Type Layer.

• Photoshop reminds to rasterize, when the tools that operate only on pixels and we try to use those tools for a vector layer.
• A warning dialog box includes an option for immediately converting the layer to rasterized form. Click OK to rasterize.

• We can also do it by right click on the layer and select Rasterize Layer.

• We can also rasterize it by merging it with a non-type layer down the type layer by pressing Ctrl + E.
• Ctrl + Alt + Shift +E to merge all visible layers below into one layer and also keeps the original individual layers.