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Create layers and groups



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

Create a new layer or group

  1. Do one of the following:

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

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

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

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

    • Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) the Create a New Layer button or New Group button in the Layers panel 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 panel.

    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.
    Note: To add currently selected layers to a new group, choose Layer > Group Layers, or Shift-click the New Group button at the bottom of the Layers Panel.

Create a new layer with effects from another layer

  1. Select the existing layer in the Layers panel.
  2. Drag the layer to the Create a New Layer button at the bottom of the Layers panel. 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.