How to copy to a new layer. How to copy a selected area to a new layer in Photoshop

A more or less experienced user of Adobe Photoshop is already familiar with the concept of layers. Layers are an important component of a graphics editor, which makes image editing easier and also provides a great advantage when working with images. Not everyone knows all the functionality of the layers panel, although some functions will be useful for professionals. For example, how to copy a layer in Photoshop CC to another image? In addition to this issue, we will consider duplicating layers, moving them and shifting them.

How to copy a layer in Photoshop

As mentioned earlier, layers are the most important element that you need to know how to use. Without it, it would be impossible to retouch photographs and create graphic objects at the proper level. And it often happens that you have to copy and duplicate layers.

When designing a project, you have to resort to creating new documents, where you need to transfer all the developments that were there earlier. Before copying layers in Photoshop, you must use the following instructions:

  1. Open two images in different documents, which will be hidden in tabs (let’s assume that the first image is the original, and the second is where you want to move the layers).
  2. On the first layer, we select the layers necessary for the user.
  3. At the final stage, you can use one of the three proposed methods. The first method is to reformat all the layers into one and select all the elements in the image, and then paste the copied image into a new document. The second is to select the layers and use the mouse to move them from one directory to another. The last method is to select the Move Tool from the Quick Access Toolbar and drag the desired layer onto the new image.

You can also consider one of the questions: how to copy a layer in Photoshop using the keyboard? You need to select the one you need and press the button combination on the image itself: Alt + left mouse button.

Duplicating layers

Let's look at the duplicate function from two positions: inside an image and between images. The second method is practically no different from copying a layer in Photoshop. Once the user masters these functions, editing images will become much easier.

  1. Inside the image. You need to select the one you need in the layers section and right-click on it, then select “Create a duplicate layer.” in which you should specify the name of the new layer.
  2. Between images. Open two images (as in the case of copying). Select the layer (or group) we need and create a duplicate of the entire list of selected elements. The final touch will be to transfer from one to another using one of the methods that were indicated in the section “How to copy a layer in Photoshop.”

Changing the order

The Photoshop environment obeys a certain rule - layers seem to be superimposed on each other. This means that the bottom one will be hidden behind all the others. Working with layers involves changing this order - changing them in Photoshop is as easy as pie. Just use the cursor and simply move the layers to a new location. But it is worth keeping in mind that new ones will be added on top of the selected one, and not all layers combined.

Other operations with layers

It will be useful to highlight some more actions with layers that can definitely be useful in practical activities.

  1. Blend options. This feature allows you to edit a layer, change its transparency, stroke, shadows and much more.
  2. Rasterize the layer. If you work with vector graphics or smart objects, then you may need this function to further work with them.
  3. Convert to Smart Object. Helps the user edit any objects without losing image quality.

The article is about a small nuance that allows you to use the copy to new layer function. Not everyone knows about the mode in which this convenient command works in Photoshop. The lesson is intended for a beginner audience.

It often happens that it is necessary to transfer an already selected part of the image to the transparent background of a new layer.

To do this, click once on the Magic Wand tool. And then you will have access to the Layer via Copy function, which can be easily called by right-clicking the mouse. In the Russian version, this will mean copying to a new layer. Select this line, and your selected area will immediately appear on a new layer. That's all the wisdom.

Often, beginners find this simple operation difficult precisely because the Photoshop program does not execute this command in all modes. It does not display a context menu in Pen, Lasso, Move, or other modes. She silently demands that the instrument, namely the Magic Wand, be displayed. And then the context menu, when you press the right mouse button, immediately becomes bright and ready for use.


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  • Good day everyone, my dear friends. That's what I told you about. But what should we do next with her now? In the same article I mentioned that they can be copied, moved, transformed, scaled, etc. But if we talk about all this here, then we definitely won’t fit it into one article. Therefore, I will talk about one thing.

    I decided to do this in this way: let’s leave transformation and scaling for articles on relevant topics, but today I’ll just tell you how to copy a selected area in Photoshop. And we will learn how to do this both inside one document and by copying this area to another document.

    Are you ready? Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!

    Let's say you have selected some area or object, and now you want there to be a lot of such objects on the document. It is more than possible to do all this. Moreover, I will even show you 2 methods, and you decide which one you like best.

    1 way

    Let's say you have selected an object and want to copy it. Nothing could be simpler. Press copy combination. Do you know her? Right CTRL+C. We automatically create a new layer, but don’t pay attention to that for now. In a few lessons we'll get into layers and you'll learn everything.

    These are the simple ways I wanted to show you. But in general, for a good mastery of Photoshop and each tool separately, I recommend that you look through this wonderful video course, thanks to which you can easily master Photoshop. The course is beautifully structured, everything is told in human language, and it is designed for any level of user. Be sure to watch it if you want to learn how to work in Photoshop.

    Well, I guess I’m done for today. I hope that the article was useful and interesting for you. And by the way, what method do you use (or decided to use)? Write in the comments.. Well, I wish you good luck in your further conquest of Photoshop. See you. Bye bye!

    Best regards, Dmitry Kostin

    You can use the Move tool to copy selections as you drag them within an image or between images, or you can copy and move selections.

    You can use the Move tool to copy selections as you drag them within or between images, or you can copy and move selections using the Copy, Copy Combined, Cut, and Paste commands. Dragging with the Move tool saves memory because it doesn't use the clipboard.

    When a selection or layer is pasted between images of different resolutions, the pasted data maintains its pixel dimensions. This may result in the inserted fragment having incorrect proportions relative to the new image. Use the Image Size command to make the source and destination images the same resolution before copying and pasting, or use the Free Transform command to resize the pasted portion.

    Note. Depending on the color management settings and color profile of the file (or imported data), a message may appear indicating that the color information of the file (or imported data) is being processed.

    Understanding the copy and paste commands

    Copy Copies the selected areas on the current layer. Copy combined data Creates a combined copy of all visible layers in the selected area. Paste Pastes the copied selection to another part of the image or to another image as a new layer. If there is already a selection, the Paste command places the copied selection onto the current selection. If there is no current selection, the Paste command places the copied selection in the middle of the viewport. Paste instead If the clipboard contains pixels copied from another Photoshop document, the selection is pasted into the same relative location within the target document that it occupies in the original. "Paste In" or "Paste Outside" Pastes the copied selection into or outside of another selection in the image. The original selection is pasted onto a new layer, and the boundary of the final selection is converted to a layer mask.

    Copying a selection

    1. Select the area you want to copy.
    2. Choose Edit > Copy or Edit > Copy Merged Data.

    Once the required area of ​​the image is selected, we can move it, copy it, duplicate it, or delete it.

    Let's look at what actions can be performed on selected image fragments in Photoshop.
    It should be noted that all actions with image fragments are performed in the active layer, i.e. directly in the layer where the image is located, provided that this layer is selected
    Let's open an image File (file) -> Open (open).
    Consider the operation " Moving».
    Let's select an arbitrary part of the image, for example, with a rectangular selection. Now let's place the selection tool inside the selected area and, by clicking the mouse button, begin moving. The selection began to move along with the pointer. However, the image did not change.
    Now select the “move” tool and perform the same operation. The selected area began to move along with the image fragment.
    Now let's deselect. The selected fragment is “pasted” into the image.

    Consider the operation " Copy».
    Edit (edit) -> Copy (copy). In this case, the selected part of the image was copied to the clipboard.
    Now in the main menu we select Edit (edit) -> Paste (insert). The copied part of the image appears in a new layer. The source of the image remains unchanged.

    If, when copying a selected area, you select the command Edit(edit) -> Copy Merged (copy merge), then not only the selected image fragment from the active layer, but also from all visible layers will go to the clipboard.

    Consider the operation " Removal».
    Let's select an arbitrary part of the image, for example, with a rectangular selection. In the main menu we select Edit (edit) -> Cut (cut).
    The selected area of ​​the image has disappeared. But by using the “cut” command, we do not destroy the selected fragment. He is the same as with the command Copy (copy), goes to the clipboard, from where we can retrieve it with the command Edit(edit) -> Paste (insert).

    Now select a fragment of the image and select from the main menu Edit (edit) -> Clear (clear). The selected fragment has disappeared. Moreover, insert it with the command Edit (edit) -> Paste (insert) will no longer be possible.

    Consider the operation " Cloning».
    Select an arbitrary part of the image. Now select the Move Tool and place it inside the selection. Next, press the key<Alt > and, without releasing it, we begin moving the pointer. We see that a copy of the selected image fragment is moved, while the original image does not change. Cloning (reproduction) of an image fragment inside the active layer occurs.
    Let's release the mouse button. The selected fragment has been fixed inside the original image and has now become part of it.
    We can continue cloning by dragging the selection, or finish by deselecting it.

    That. We looked at how you can copy, delete and clone a selected portion of an image in Photoshop.