flattening jpeg/pdf

[*mark]

Can anyone help me with this?

I've flattened a couple of pages of a pdf into a single jpeg image, but when I try to outline the complete image, AF is outlining all the original component layers - I don't understand if I only have 1 flattened layer, why it is still doing this? I have tried the merge visible, then flatten again etc but its still outlining all the original layers...

How do I get the 'flatten' command to actually 'flatten' the whole document to 1 layer? Rather than it hiding all the original layers and NOT flattening them?

All I have in the layers panel is 1 layer with an fx box (checked) although I haven't actually added any effect.

Thanks 

[GarryP]

The Outline Effect puts an outline around any non-transparent pixels.
If your image has transparent pixels then the Outline Effect will put an outline around the things that aren’t transparent.
You may need to add a background before flattening so that the background becomes part of the image.

If that doesn’t explain things enough, can you upload a copy of the document – not a screenshot – so we can look at it?

[*mark]

Thanks Garry 

That was exactly it. Added a background layer and done. 👍🏻

[GarryP]

Thanks for confirming that as a solution.