# Reducing Drawing Layers with the Flatten Command

The Flatten command merges drawing layers into one, reducing the number of points in your drawings and reducing the file size of your animation.

The Flatten command is different from the Optimize command in that it does not verify first to make sure that the merge will not affect the final appearance of the image. If the layered objects have transparencies, the cumulative effect of the transparency is not preserved when you flatten the layers. Also, the Flatten command may not preserve the layer order of overlapping centerline shapes.

To reduce drawing layers with the Flatten command:

1. Select View > Show Strokes to display the lines that compose your drawing objects.

2. Click the Select tool and click the brush strokes you want to convert. To select multiple brush strokes, press [Shift] and click the brush strokes.

3. Select Tools > Flatten.

As soon as you activate the command, Toon Boom Studio merges all of the selected objects.

See Also
Converting Brush Strokes to Pencil Lines
Reducing Drawing Layers with the Optimize Command
Removing Points with the Smooth Command
Merging Layers Using Draw Top Layer
Protecting Drawings