Duplicating layers

Duplicating layers is an easy way to copy content within an image or between images. When duplicating layers between images, keep in mind that the layer's content will appear smaller or larger if it is copied to a file with different resolution. (See About image size and resolution.)

To duplicate a layer or layer set within an image:

1. Select a layer or layer set in the Layers palette.
2. Do one of the following:
• Drag the layer to the New Layer button , or drag the layer set to the New Layer Set button .
• Choose Duplicate Layer or Duplicate Layer Set from the Layers menu or the Layers palette menu. In Photoshop, enter a name for the layer or layer set, and click OK.
• (Photoshop) Press Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS), and drag the layer or layer set to the New Layer button or the New Layer Set button. Enter a name for the layer or layer set, and click OK.

To duplicate a layer or layer set between images:

1. Open the source and destination images.
2. In the Layers palette of the source image, select a layer or layer set.
3. Do one of the following:
• Drag the layer or layer set from the Layers palette into the destination image.
• Select the move tool , and drag from the source image to the destination image. The duplicate layer or layer set appears above the active layer in the Layers palette of the destination image. Shift-drag to position the image content in the same location it occupied in the source image (if the source and destination images have the same pixel dimensions) or at the center of the document window (if the source and destination images have different pixel dimensions).
• (Photoshop) Choose Duplicate Layer or Duplicate Layer Set from the Layers menu or the Layers palette menu. Choose the destination document from the Document pop-up menu, and click OK.
• Choose Select > All to select all of the pixels on the layer, and choose Edit > Copy. Then choose Edit > Paste in the destination image.

To create a new document from a layer or layer set (Photoshop):

1. Select a layer or layer set in the Layers palette.
2. Choose Duplicate Layer or Duplicate Layer Set from the Layers menu or the Layers palette menu.
3. Choose New from the document pop-up menu, and click OK.