Do You Want Access To 700,000+ Presets & Templates?
Yes, I Want Make Better VideosNo, I Don't Want To Make Better Videos

How to Unflatten an Image in Photoshop - The Only Working Solution

If you've flattened an image in Photoshop and need to revert it, don't panic. Either use the History panel to undo your steps if the document is still open, or take advantage of Smart Objects to unflatten your layers—both methods will save you the headache of starting from scratch. Trust me, understanding these techniques is a game-changer for effective layer management.

September 15, 2023
How to Unflatten an Image in Photoshop - The Only Working Solution
"Photoshop Is Nothing Without It"
Join over 1 million users who have upgraded their Photoshop skills with the #1 AI tool for image enhancement!
"It's Like Video Editing On Steroids!"
- Sebastian Navarro, FreeVisuals Editor
Endorsed by Adobe, Envato Elements is the ULTIMATE tool for creating high-quality videos! Browse 15M+ assets for Premiere Pro, After Effects, FCPX & DaVinci!
Get 100s Of FREE Effects & Tools In A Single Plugin!

Join millions of users who have unleashed their true potential with the AEJuice Starter Pack & All In One Bundle!

Download FREE AEjuice Plugins

How do I recover a flattened image in Photoshop?

Unflattening images is a crucial Photoshop feature that allows you to revert your flattened image back to its layered state, giving you the flexibility to make additional edits, adjustments, or corrections. It's like having a safety net for your creative projects.

Today, we're going to delve into:

  • The importance of keeping your document open and how to use the History panel to undo your steps
  • The power of Smart Objects and how they can be your saving grace when you've merged layers
  • Step-by-step procedures for both scenarios to ensure you can unflatten your images effectively

Step 1: Open the Layers Panel

If you've merged your layers into a Smart Object, navigate to the Layers panel by clicking Window > Layers.

Step 2: Double-Click the Smart Object

Find the Smart Object thumbnail in the Layers panel and double-click it. This will open a new document containing your original, unmerged layers.

Step 3: Select All Layers

Hold down the Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) key and click on each layer to select them all.

Step 4: Duplicate Layers

Click on the panel menu (the three horizontal lines at the top-right corner of the Layers panel) and choose "Duplicate Layers."

Step 5: Choose Original Document

A dialog box will appear. Select your original document from the drop-down menu and click "OK."

Step 6: Delete the Smart Object

Return to your original document. You'll see your layers have been copied back. Now, you can delete the Smart Object layer as it's no longer needed. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Smart Object and choose "Convert to Layers" to revert it within the same document.

32% Of Photoshop Users Can't Live Without....

We collected results from 16,832 users to find out which AI tools were most popular. Here are the results.

32% - Topaz
21.5% - SkyAI
11% - Elements 2.0
5% - Gigapizel

Related Content