Layers

Layer management -- create, delete, duplicate, group, reorder, merge, and flatten.

Creating Layers

Add new pixel layers or groups to your document. New layers are inserted above the currently selected layer.

1. Click the + button at the bottom of the Layers panel, or
2. Go to Layer → New → Layer, or
3. Press Ctrl+Shift+N for a new layer.

Deleting Layers

1. Select the layer in the Layers panel.
2. Click the trash icon at the bottom of the panel, or
3. Press Delete / Backspace, or
4. Go to Layer → Delete → Layer.

Duplicating Layers

Create an exact copy of the selected layer, including its pixel data, masks, and effects.

1. Select the layer to duplicate.
2. Press Ctrl+J or go to Layer → Duplicate Layer.
3. The duplicate appears directly above the original.

Renaming Layers

1. Double-click the layer name in the Layers panel.
2. Type the new name.
3. Press Enter to confirm.

Layer Groups

Organize layers into collapsible groups (folders). Groups can be nested and have their own blend mode and opacity.

1. Select one or more layers.
2. Press Ctrl+G or go to Layer → Group Layers.
3. To ungroup, select the group and press Ctrl+Shift+G.

Reordering Layers

Change the stacking order by dragging layers up or down in the Layers panel. The topmost layer in the panel renders on top of the canvas.

Visibility and Opacity

Toggle layer visibility with the eye icon. Adjust opacity using the slider at the top of the Layers panel (0-100%).

Blend Modes

Change how a layer composites with layers below it using the blend mode dropdown. All standard Photoshop blend modes are supported: Normal, Multiply, Screen, Overlay, Soft Light, Hard Light, Color Dodge, Color Burn, Difference, and more.

Lock Flags

Lock layers to prevent accidental edits. Lock options include: lock transparency, lock pixels, lock position, and lock all.

Clipping Masks

Clip a layer to the content of the layer below it. The clipped layer only shows through the opaque areas of the base layer.

1. Position the layer above the base layer.
2. Alt+click the divider between the two layers, or
3. Go to Layer → Create Clipping Mask.

Merge Down

Merge the selected layer with the layer directly below it, combining their pixel data according to blend modes and opacity.

1. Select the upper layer.
2. Press Ctrl+E or go to Layer → Merge Down.

Flatten Image

Flatten all visible layers into a single Background layer. Hidden layers are discarded. This is useful before saving to formats that do not support layers.

Layer Thumbnails

Each layer shows a small thumbnail preview in the Layers panel. Thumbnails update in real time as you paint, transform, or apply effects.

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