---
title: "Merge Layer Down"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/11595.html"
section_path: "BodyPaint 3D > Layer Menu > Merge Layer Down"
description: "This command merges the active layer with the layer below to form a single layer. This frees RAM and simplifies the layer stack, hence you should merge …"
---

# Merge Layer Down

Merge Layer Down

This command merges the active layer with the layer below to form a single layer. This frees RAM and simplifies the layer stack, hence you should merge layers once you have finished editing them.

> **Tip:** You can select this command only if both the layers are visible.

> **Tip:** You can also merge layer masks with this command. There are two outcomes depending on whether the layer or the layer mask is active:
>
> - Layer Mask Active. The layer mask is merged with its layer — the masked areas in the layer become genuinely transparent rather than masked and the layer mask is deleted.
> - Layer Active. The layer mask is merged with the layer as described above. Next, the layer down is merged with its layer mask — again, as described above. Finally, the two layers are merged to form a single layer.