A Complete Guide on How to Rasterize in Photoshop

In Photoshop, you can "rasterize" an image to change it from a vector image to a raster image. This post helps you know how to rasterize in Photoshop. Check it out now!

Rasterizing a layer converts any vector layer type to pixels. As a vector layer, your image comprises mathematical formulas that describe shapes. That works great for graphics that need clean edges or scaling up. 

Photoshop makes it easy to turn layers into raster images. However, some tools need to go through the process to work right. The pixel-based version will lose that sharp, perfect edge. Meanwhile, the vector-based version will keep it. Let's explore this post to know how to rasterize in Photoshop!

How to Rasterize in Photoshop

It's quick and easy to make a raster in Photoshop. For example, you can turn a graphic into a raster image with just a few clicks.

To convert an image to a raster in Photoshop:

Step 1: Make sure you can see the Layers panel. Suppose it's not there; press F7 to show it.

Choose Layers - clippingpanda.com

Step 2: Click the layer with the vector image you want to turn into a raster image.

A small shape icon will be in the bottom right corner of any layer that has vector graphics.

Step 3: Make a copy of your layer to use the original vector image if you need to. To do this, click the right on the layer and select "Duplicate Layer."

Select Duplicate Layer - irnpost.com

Step 4: Give your layer a name and press OK.

Step 5: To hide the copied image, click the eye icon next to the duplicated layer.

Step 6: Right-click the original vector layer and select Rasterize Layer. 

Choose Rasterize Layer - quora.com

How to Avoid Getting a "Raster"

Work on an empty layer

Who says you can't paint or draw on the vector layer? You can make a new layer on top that is blank and make your changes there.

Use the New Layer icon at the Layers panel's bottom to add a new layer. Or hit Shift + Ctrl + N (Shift + Cmd + N).

Use the properties of the Vector Layer

Use the properties of the vector layer instead of the Paint Bucket tool to color in shape.

Double-clicking on the layer icon with the vector layer selected will open the color picker panel. Then, choose a new color and click OK.

To color the text, you have to do something slightly different. If you double-click on the layer icon, the color picker won't open, but the text will be highlighted. Then click Window and then Character to direct the text properties.

Use an Eraser Instead of The Layer Mask

Another tool that needs a rasterized layer to work is the eraser. You can make a layer mask instead of using this tool. Click the mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel while the vector layer is highlighted.

You can brush through with black as the foreground color to get the same effect as the eraser without rasterizing the vector layer.

Read more tips and practices for Photoshop users:

FAQs

1. Is rasterizing bad for quality?

When you rasterize an image, force it to have a specific size and resolution. Whether it changes the quality depends on what you pick for those values. For example, you can rasterize a graphic at 400 dpi and look good on a home printer.

2. What is the purpose of rasterizing?

Rasterize is the process of turning a vector image into a raster image. It is an image made up of points and curves defined by math.

Scene geometry is turned into pixels so that you can show it on a screen or print.

3. Does rasterize decrease the size of a file?

Rasterization removes the intelligence of intelligent objects (Layer>Rasterize>Smart Object). So it frees up space. The object's functionalities have been removed from the file. That results in a smaller file size.

Conclusion

Rasterizing is not bad, and most people don't notice the change from vector to pixel format. If you don't zoom in close or blow up the image, you won't see that the edges are not sharp as they used to be. We hope this post is valuable for you to know how to rasterize in Photoshop.

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