Diffence in overlaying and flatten

Lorri · **Joined:** Sep 12, 2011 **Posts:** 377 **Location:** UK

GIMP Version: 2.6.11
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: 7
GIMP Experience: Beginner Level

What is thr difference in overlaying and flatten an image? I do both

Draconian · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:05 pm **(#2)**

Aomeone please correct me if I don't explain this correctly but the way I understand it is that Overlay is a layer mode (almost the same as Soft Light as far as appearance) that only afects one layer whereas Flatten effectively combines everything into one layer. Merge down or Merge Visible Layers sometimes loses any layer modes you have set. Kinda depends on what you are doing, number of layers, yada, yada, yada.

lylejk · **Joined:** Sep 24, 2010 **Posts:** 12849

Pretty much true Drac. Overlay is a layer mode while flatten (or merge for that matter) is a layer operation which combines all layer modes into a single layered result (and with flatten, it removes alpha channel too). All evidence of what was done is gone too (many folk would prefer self documenting edits (lossless; hate the term lossless by the way); I personally really don't care since I believe in the philosphy of the ends justifies the means).

Draconian · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:46 pm **(#4)**

Thanks for the clarification, Lyle. I couldn't remember the alpha channel thing. I guess that's why you lose some of the effects of the Layer Modes with a Merge operation.

PS: My phingers don't smell very well when I

wype. Darn it....TYPE!