Using Layers > Creating a layered image > Duplicating layers
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Duplicating layers


You can duplicate any layer (including the background) within an image. And you can copy any layer (including the background) from one image to another.

When copying layers between images, keep in mind that the printed size of the copied layer depends on the resolution of the destination image. (See About image size and resolution.)

To duplicate a layer in an image:

1 Select the layer in the Layers palette.

2 Duplicate the layer:
  • To duplicate and rename the layer, choose Layer > Duplicate Layer, or choose Duplicate Layer from the Layers palette menu. Name the duplicate layer, and click OK.
  • To duplicate without naming, select the layer and drag it to the New Layer button () at the bottom of the Layers palette.
  • (Windows only) Right-click on the layer bar (not the thumbnail) and choose Duplicate Layer.

    • To copy a layer between images:

    1 Open the two images you want to use.

    2 In the Layers palette of the source image, select the layer that you want to copy.

    3 Do one of the following:
  • Drag the layer's name from the Layers palette of the source image into the destination image.
  • Use the move tool () to drag the layer from the source image to the destination image. The copied layer appears in the destination image where you release the mouse button (and above the active layer in the Layers palette). If the layer you're dragging is larger than the destination image, only part of the layer is visible. You can use the move tool to drag other sections of the layer into view.

    • Hold down Shift as you drag a layer to copy it in the same position it occupied in the source image (if the source and destination images have the same pixel dimensions) or to the center of the destination image (if the source and destination images have different pixel dimensions).
  • Choose Select > All to select all of the pixels on the layer, and choose Edit > Copy. Then make the destination image active, and choose Edit > Paste.

    • To copy multiple layers into another image:

    1 Make sure that both the source and destination images are open, and select one of the layers you want to copy.

    2 In the Layers palette, click in the column immediately to the left of any additional layers you want to copy. The link icon appears in the column.

    3 Use the move tool () to drag the linked layers from the source image to the destination image.

    To duplicate a layer into another image or a new image:

    1 If you plan to copy a layer to an existing image, open both the source and destination images.

    2 In the source document's Layers palette, select the name of the layer you want to duplicate.

    3 Choose Layer > Duplicate Layer, or choose Duplicate Layer from the Layers palette menu.

    4 Type a name for the duplicate layer.

    5 Choose a destination document for the layer:
  • To duplicate the layer to an existing image, choose a filename from the Document pop-up menu.
  • To create a new document for the layer, choose New from the Document pop-up menu, and enter a name for the new file. An image created by duplicating a layer has no background.

    • 6 Click OK.

    Using Layers > Creating a layered image > Duplicating layers