Photoshop

Create layers and groups

A new layer appears either above the selected layer or within the selected group in the Layers palette.

Create a new layer or group

  1. Do one of the following:

    • To create a new layer or group using default options, click the New Layer button  or New Group button  in the Layers palette.

    • Choose Layer > New > Layer or choose Layer > New > Group.

    • Choose New Layer or New Group from the Layers palette menu.

    • Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the New Layer button or New Group button in the Layers palette to display the New Layer dialog box and set layer options.

    • Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) the New Layer button or New Group button in the Layers palette to add a layer below the currently selected layer.

  2. Set layer options, and click OK:
    Name
    Specifies a name for the layer or group.

    Use Previous Layer to Create Clipping Mask
    This option is not available for groups. (See Mask layers with clipping masks.)

    Color
    Assigns a color to the layer or group in the Layers palette.

    Mode
    Specifies a blending mode for the layer or group. (See About blending modes.)

    Opacity
    Specifies an opacity level for the layer or group.

    Fill With Mode-Neutral Color
    Fills the layer with a preset, neutral color.

Create a new layer with effects from another layer

  1. Select the existing layer in the Layers palette.
  2. Drag the layer to the New Layer button at the bottom of the Layers palette. The newly created layer contains all the effects of the existing one.

Convert a selection into a new layer

  1. Make a selection.
  2. Do one of the following:

    • Choose Layer > New > Layer Via Copy to copy the selection into a new layer.

    • Choose Layer > New > Layer Via Cut to cut the selection and paste it into a new layer.

      Note: You must rasterize Smart Objects or shape layers to enable these commands.