5 Ways to Copy Layers Extremely Fast in Photoshop for Users

Top 5 Ways to Copy Layers Extremely Fast in Photoshop You Can't Miss

During the photoshop process, sometimes you have to copy layers into two or more copies to edit without affecting the original layers. Copying multiple layers is convenient for working, dividing the work and determining the level of completion so that you can distribute the work more easily.

For those new to Photoshop, duplicating and manipulating sub-layers is considered a form of data backup. Duplicate layers before moving on to a new step. If there is an error, you can simply delete the sub-layer and go back to duplicating the original layer and then continue without having to start from zero.

To help you perform layer copy operations quickly and effectively, please continue reading the detailed content on how to copy layers in Photoshop below.

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Copy layer on the same Photoshop file

This is the most common way to copy layers. All operations of adding, editing, and adjusting images on an image file require using copied layers to operate.

Duplicating layers on the same photoshop file is also quite diverse and has many different methods, we will learn below.

Copy layer in Photoshop with shortcut key

The simplest and most commonly used way to copy a layer is to select the layer you want to duplicate, then use the key combination Ctrl + J. For more than one layer, you just need to select all the layers you want to duplicate, then use the key combination Ctrl + J to complete the process. Very simple and easy to remember, right?

Sometimes you just need to duplicate a small part of an object in a layer to edit it without having to duplicate the entire layer.

Just select the object you need to duplicate in the layer panel > Create an area for the object you want to separate using any tool you find most suitable in the Selection Tool (V) group > Then hold down the ALT key while dragging and moving the object to another location.

How to copy layer using Duplicate Layer option

Method 1: Drag and drop the Layer to be duplicated into the New Layer icon below the Layers panel.

Go to menu Layer > Duplicate Layer Or Layer > New > Layer and Copy (Ctrl+J) .

Press and hold Alt + Drag the image area of ​​the Layer to another location.

Right click on the Layer you want to duplicate, select Duplicate Layer .

Method 2: Select the layer to duplicate in the layer panel > Select Duplicate Layer .

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With the Duplicate Layer feature, you can copy Layers from one file to another in Photoshop. Or to another image by selecting a new file in the Document section.

Copy layer to a new working file

If you find it difficult to stack layers in a single file or you want to separate a part of the subject into a new file. Follow the simple method below to copy layers.

Step 1: Select the layer you want to copy to a new file.

Step 2: On the menu bar of the main page in photoshop, select Image > Duplicate Layer to open the Duplicate dialog box .

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The Duplicate dialog box appears:

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Step 3: In the Duplicate dialog box , name the layer you want to separate in the As section . If left as default, the layer will automatically duplicate into a new common PSD file .

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So, we have learned 3 simple steps to copy layers to a new working file. Similarly, you can also copy to another PSD if needed.

Copy layers from one PSD file to another

When you work on multiple related projects, copying layers between PSD files is inevitable. Let's take a look at 2 ways to copy layers from one PSD file to another!

Method 1: Similar to copying layers to a new working file.

Select the layer you want to copy to a new file .

On the menu bar of the main page in photoshop, select Image > Duplicate Layer to open the Duplicate dialog box .

In the Duplicate dialog box , name the layer you want to separate in the As section . Then, in the Document section, select the PSD file that the new layer needs to be copied to.

Method 2: To duplicate layers from one PSD file to another PSD file this way. First you have to open both PSD files at the same time and follow the steps.

Move the 2 PSD windows to 2 different sides so that you can work on both PSD files at the same time . Do as described in the image.

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Click on the layer you want to copy and move it to the PSD file you want to transfer to.

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Once converted to a new PSD file, the layers will appear as shown in the image. You can now manipulate and edit the layers in the new PSD file.

In addition, you can refer to the configurations below, a minimum configuration that allows you to perform photoshop smoothly.

Configuration for Designer: HHPC GAMING - INTEL CORE i3 10100 | RAM 16G | GTX 1050Ti 

➤ MAINBOARD: GIGABYTE H410M-H
➤ CPU: INTEL CORE i3 10100 up to 4.3G | 4 CORE | 8 THREAD
➤ DESIGN: JONSBO CR-1000 RGB
➤ RAM: COLORFUL BATTLE AX 16GB BUS 3000 DDR4 (1x16GB)
➤ VGA: NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti 4GB GDDR5
➤ SSD: GIGABYTE SSD 240G SATA III
➤ HDD: YOUR OPTION ACCORDING TO NEED 
➤ SOURCE: COOLERMASTER PC700 700W
➤ CASE: JETEK KAMADO (NO FANS)

Samuel Daniel

Update 17 January 2025