Want to learn how to rasterize a layer in Photoshop? Believe me when I say you can learn and do it in a few seconds. Yes, it’s that easy. But before we get there, let’s get into some basic terms to help us understand better what we are doing.
How does rasterizing a layer in Photoshop work?
Rasterizing a Photoshop layer is the conversion of a vector layer to pixels. Vector layers create graphics with the aid of lines and curves to enable them to maintain their clarity when you enlarge them. However, this format is not suitable for artistic effects that make use of pixels. You need to understand that by default, shape text is created on a type of layer known as a vector layer. No amount of zooming in on a vector layer can change the edges. The edges remain perfectly crisp.
Why Does Photoshop Tell You You Need to Rasterize a Layer?
It is because certain tools, like the brush tools, eraser, paint bucket fill, and filters, only work on rasterized layers. Thus, in order to use one of these tools on a vector layer, the layer must first be converted to pixels.
However, you have to understand that when you convert a vector layer to pixels, it loses its vector functionality. This implies:
- That shape and text can no longer be scaled to any size without some loss of quality.
- The text is no longer editable. This means that you cannot change the words or the font.
How to Rasterize a Layer in Photoshop
At some point in your project, you may need to rasterize a vector layer in order to use the tool to get the edit that you want.
However, before you rasterize a vector layer, you should always duplicate it by selecting Layer > Duplicate. Thereafter, rasterize the copy.
This will preserve the original vector layer if you happen to go back and make changes later.
To rasterize a layer in Photoshop, here are a few steps that will guide you:
- Start by pressing the “F7” key to display the Photoshop Layers panel.
- Then tap a vector layer in the Layers panel.
- Thereafter, click “Layer” in the menu bar and tap “Rasterize” in order to open a new pane of options.
- Then click on “Layer” to rasterize the layer.
What are the alternatives to rasterization?
There are some common alternatives to rasterizing a layer in your project, and here are some:
Rather than rasterize to paint or draw directly on a vector layer, you can create an empty layer above the vector layer and then use any of the painting or drawing tools on the new layer. To do this:
- Tap the ‘New Layer’ icon in the Layers panel.
- Use the brush tool to paint on the new layer.
In order to constrain the paint to the edges of the shape, start by using the Magic Wand Tool to make a selection of the shape; thereafter, paint or draw inside the selection.
For the second option, instead of rasterizing to use the Paint Bucket Tool to change the fill color of a shape or text, you can directly change the fill from the vector tool’s properties. To do this:
- For shapes, choose the vector layer in the Layers panel.
- Open the Properties panel (Window > Properties).
- Change the color with the aid of the color picker.
- For text, you can double-click on the icon in the Layers panel to highlight all of the text.
- Then open the Character panel (Window > Character).
- Change the color using the color picker.
For the third option, instead of rasterizing to use the Eraser Tool to hide parts of a vector layer, you can use a layer mask. To do this:
- Start by selecting the vector layer in the Layers Panel.
- Thereafter, tap on the “Layer Mask” icon to add a layer mask to the vector object.
- Then you can use the brush tool to paint black on the layer mask. Painting with black will conceal parts of the layer, while painting with white will reveal those parts of the layer.