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Safety Net for Rasterizing Text

Make a Copy Before You Rasterize Text

By Sue Chastain, About.com

Converting text from vector-based objects to pixels is called rasterizing or rendering in Photoshop, and simplifying in Photoshop Elements. This is a destructive procedure; once you've rasterized the text, it can no longer be scaled without degrading, the text can't be edited, and fonts and colors can not be modified without starting over.

Before rasterizing your text, it's a good idea to make a duplicate copy of the type layer and hide it. Then, if you later decide you need to edit the text you can go back to an editable text layer.

Related Resources:
Photoshop Text Effects

Compatibility: Photoshop 6 and higher, Photoshop Elements

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Sue Chastain
Guide since 1999

Sue Chastain
Graphics Software Guide

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