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Why is Photoshop adding all the copies to the same shape layer when using Transform Again?

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I'm trying to create evenly spaced copies of a rectangle using Transform Again but instead of creating separate layers, PS keeps adding the copies to the same shape layer.

Is this expected behavior in newer Photoshop versions, or am I missing a setting somewhere?

Because I learned this from Piximperfect's Tip & Tricks video and in his tutorial, PS create multiple separate layers. Here's the video.

Recording 2026-05-31 162244.mp4

Jeff ArolaCorrect answer

Community Expert

Here’s what I did to get Cmd Option Shift T to create new shape layers:

After creating the initial rectangle, switch to the Hand tool
Cmd J to copy the rectangle to a new layer
Cmd T to and move your copied rectangle layer
Press Cmd Option Shift T multiple times until you get the required amount of copied rectangles.

I’m pretty sure in the past that Cmd Option Shift T worked with other tools selected like the Brush tool as shown in the video, however, for whatever reason it only seemed to work on a consistent basis with the Hand tool selected.

I did do a reset of the Photoshop preferences, but that didn’t make any difference.

Also with regular layers, rasterized layers and smart object layers there was no issue getting Cmd Option Shift J to create new layers.

Trevor.Dennis

Community Expert

Great that Jeff has sorted you out, but I’ll add that Transform Step & Repeat (Shift Ctrl Alt T) is very patchy with anything other than plain raster layers. That includes shape layers and Smart Objects. There’s a work around for Smart Objects that you’ll find if you search this forum.

I saved you the trouble ;-)

Step & Repeat With Smart Objects. | Community

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Stephen Marsh

Community Expert

@Jeff Arola - nice one!

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Jeff Arola

Correct answer

Community Expert

Here’s what I did to get Cmd Option Shift T to create new shape layers:

After creating the initial rectangle, switch to the Hand tool
Cmd J to copy the rectangle to a new layer
Cmd T to and move your copied rectangle layer
Press Cmd Option Shift T multiple times until you get the required amount of copied rectangles.

I’m pretty sure in the past that Cmd Option Shift T worked with other tools selected like the Brush tool as shown in the video, however, for whatever reason it only seemed to work on a consistent basis with the Hand tool selected.

I did do a reset of the Photoshop preferences, but that didn’t make any difference.

Also with regular layers, rasterized layers and smart object layers there was no issue getting Cmd Option Shift J to create new layers.

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asterisk99Author

Participating Frequently

THAAANKK YOUUU SO MUCH MAN, IT WORKED!!!!!

Yes, it does not seem to have any issues with Smart Objects and regular layers but for Shape Layers it wasn’t working. I’m glad it’s working now, thank you once again.

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Stephen Marsh

Community Expert

You can take a look at my Layer Step & Repeat script which can create an array, columns or rows (look for the 1.5 version code towards the foot of the page, the new forum software might have "helpfully” collapsed/hidden the reply to save scrolling):

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asterisk99Author

Participating Frequently

I’m a beginner so I don’t know much about how to use these scripts and all. Thanks! though, I’ll see what I can do.

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Stephen Marsh

Community Expert

Copy the code text to the clipboard
Open a new blank file in a plain-text editor (not in a word processor)
Paste the code in
Save as a plain text format file – .txt
Rename the saved file extension from .txt to .jsx
Install or browse to the .jsx file to run (see below)

https://prepression.blogspot.com/2017/11/downloading-and-installing-adobe-scripts.html?m=1

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c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

Other options for regularly spaced objects would be

• the Offset Filter

• making copies, moving one to the extreme »other« position and distributing vertically

It might be worth considering involving Illustrator via an embedded or linked Smart Object, because Illustrator has useful features for creating multiples of path elements.