How to Rasterize a Layer in Photoshop

Photoshop filters work only with rasterized layers.

One of the advantages of working in Photoshop is the large number of built-in and plug-in filters that are available. Being able to apply filters to a layer can improve the speed and quality of your work. But if the layer contains text, vector graphics imported from another program or shapes produced by the Pen tool, you won't be able to apply filters or paint fills to it. The layer needs to be rasterized -- converted into pixels -- first.

Instructions

1. Open Photoshop. Go to File and click “New” to open a new image. Make the size and resolution settings whatever you like for this example.

2. Select the “Pen” tool in the toolbar. In the options bar at the top of the program, make sure the mode is set to "Shape layers."

3. Draw a simple shape by clicking on various points on the canvas; each point will become a corner of the shape. Close the shape by re-clicking on the first point you created. You now have two layers visible in the Layers palette: the background and a layer containing your shape, which is filled with the foreground color.

4. Select the shape layer in the Layers palette, if it isn't already active. In the Layer menu at the top of the program, scroll to "Rasterize" and select “Layer” from the fly-out menu.

Tips & Warnings

• If you attempt to apply a filter to a layer that isn't rasterized, a window pops up telling you that the layer needs to be rasterized before you can work on it.

• Another method of rasterizing a layer is by right-clicking on it in the Layers palette and selecting "Rasterize Layer."

References

• Adobe: Rasterize Layers

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish