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Inspiring
April 5, 2011
Released

P: Support Copy and Paste Layers

  • April 5, 2011
  • 25 replies
  • 1050 views

I am a user interface designer and have PSDs with over 300 layers, inside different folders.
Sometimes I need to copy a layer, say a button, from one folder onto another. But between those there are 100 layers/folders. The only way I can do it now is to alt-drag the layer past hundreds of layers and try to find the folder I need to drop it into. It's very inconvenient.
All I would like to have is the ability to copy and paste layers. So I would select layer, CMD+C, then select the folder I want to paste that into and hit CMD+V.

Is this doable with AppleScript? If so, can anyone write one applescript for copy and another one for paste? I can then use Keyboard Maestro to trigger it.

Thanks

25 replies

Inspiring
February 20, 2013
Would be great to be able to copy cut layers within the layers palette vs. moving them. When you work with multiple folders within one document this process becomes super tedious.

Participant
February 9, 2013
No Scripting can do better than Adobe...

Adobe Please implement this feature in Photoshop.... This will make life so much easier.....
Inspiring
February 5, 2013
Photoshop: Copy and Paste multiply layers,including styles, between documents.
And also a copy and paste support, between ALL CS software.

45634563545
Inspiring
October 16, 2012
Anything to assist in organizing the Layers Panels is great!

The ability to quickly relocate layers and layer groups elsewhere in the Layers Panel quickly and efficiently would be a very welcome benefit.

When you're working in a doc with tons of layers, the Layers Panel just becomes your whole world. Keeping it under control can be difficult.

Like many here, I've wanted this for a LONG time.

---> If you want this feature please voice your opinion here, and click the big +1 button in 1st post so it gets more attention.

______________________

Here's a little out of the box thinking for you:

First of all, imagine this - the Layers Panel is a big looooong filing drawer. Ya know, the type with the little racks that have numerous filing folders that can slide back and forth. And each sliding folder has nested files and folders (or layers and layer groups) inside each of them, multiple levels deep perhaps. How does a secretary relocate a file or folder? She simply plucks one out and puts in another slot. Simple. Because she can see BOTH the file she wants to move and also where she's going to put it.
---- Now how great would it be if you could see all files/folders simultaneously and could therefore designate a layer to move and also designate where you want it to move TO, at the same time?
---- Here's one idea: Layers Panel Unfold Mode - you select your layers to move then somehow enter a mode where your Layers Panel is "unfolded" into multiple columns displaying it's whole contents at once, on your screen. You can easily drag layers anywhere you want. If your display isn't large enough to display your entire Layers Panel's content you may be able to drag your cursor into the far left or right and make the unfolded Layers Panel pan left or right until you see what where you want to go. Then maybe hit Escape to exit this special unfolded Layers Panel mode.
And hovering a layer over a collapsed layer group for one second ought to expand it (vice versa to collapse an expanded layer group).

I'd use it.
Inspiring
October 16, 2012
In PS you can cut, copy and paste pixel data between documents, but not layers, folders or smart objects.

This creates an annoying workflow where you have to drag the smart object between documents, which is even more cumbersome if you work within tabs.

Inspiring
July 2, 2012
I suggested this exact feature back in 2009 and it stirred up a heated debate.

http://forums.adobe.com/message/2888147

Anyway, it's nice to hear others in the community seek the same feature.
Inspiring
July 2, 2012
test
powal1234
Participating Frequently
April 28, 2012
Would be great! Also concerning the working with different files.

If one could copy layers in one file and paste it in another would be great. Works enough convenient with the move tool but could be even more intuitive with copy/paste.

Great!
Inspiring
December 24, 2011
Add ctrl-c & ctrl-v support for layers and layer groups in Layers panel

Participating Frequently
November 14, 2011
Photoshop Team,
Please integrate this feature into CS6. This is needed badly. All other alternatives are not intuitive, especially the "duplicate layers" feature.