Merge layers?

[Blue]

This may seem silly, but i typically work in painter flat (no layers) so i never really noticed this. Tonight i've been workin on a painting and experimenting with multiple layers but.. I need to merge two layers, but dont want to effect the canvas (yet). I can't seem to find any proper option for this.

Is it possible to merge two layers floating above the canvas without dropping them to the canvas?

[Helzon]

Heya Blue,
I just experimented around a bit..and might have found something. I would imagine that John Derry, or jinny can absolutely write you a treatise on this Anywho..here goes. If you have multiple layers you want to merge without it affecting the canvas.
1) Shift+Click on the layers you want to merge in order to select them.
2) Once satisfied with your choice go down to the little icon on the far left of your Layers Pallette. It's official name is 'Layer Commands'
3) Click on it and choose 'Group', You'll notice that all of your layers have just been made part of 'Group one' with a little arrow so that you can expand or contract the list.
4) Go back to that same 'Layer Commands' icon and click, then choose 'Collapse' this will in effect merge all of your layers without touching the canvas.
hope that helps. If i screwed any of that up, or if there is a shorter or alternate way...i more than welcome being corrected.

[Blue]

Aha! Awesome. Works like a charm. Thanks Helzon

[Helzon]

No problem..glad I could help.

[gorillagrin]

If you're a hotkey freak like me, you can use also select your layers, hit Ctrl+G for Group and Ctrl+Shift+X to Collapse, which does exactly what Helzon was describing.

[cartoonfox]

Ah awesome, I've been looking for this for a while. I didn't think of making a thread, thanks : ]