What is the purpose of rasterizing type, and how is it done? What is its main drawback? What is it's main benefit?

What will be an ideal response?

Student answers will vary, but should include the following information:

To rasterize type, target the layer on which the type appears, click Layer on the application bar, point to Rasterize, then click type.

When you rasterize a type layer, you convert it from "live" type-type that is selectable and editable-to pixels. Its appearance doesn't change, but functionally, it is really not live anymore. You can't select it, and you can't modify it.

Rasterizing type is a commitment. Once you do so, other than using the Undo command or reverting the file, you can never go back and convert the rasterized text back into live type. So why rasterize type in the first place? The biggest reason for rasterizing type is to avoid font issues. When you share a Photoshop file that includes font information, the person that opens your file will need the same font installed on their computer to render the type. When type is rasterized, you no longer need the font installed because it's not type anymore, it's just pixels.