Inspiring

Question

Importing layers from PSD into another PSD File

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
April 12, 2024
3 replies
6103 views

Hi all!

I have one main document and want to place/import several PSD files, including an image with a layer mask to make the image transparent. When dragged and dropped as an object, to adjust the layer mask, I need to "edit content," which is an extra step I would like to remove.

Is there a way to import layers from another PSD into the open PSD (preferably by drag-and-drop)?

Thanks in advance for your time and sharing the knowledge 🙏

Cheers!

macOS

This topic has been closed for replies.

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

When imported as an object, to adjust the layer mask, I need to "edit content," which is an extra step I would like to remove.

But depending on the use of the placed elements (multiple instances, transformations, different Color Spaces, use in multiple images [in the case of linked smart objects], …) the benefits can outweigh that inconvenience.

Stephen Marsh

Community Expert

You can also duplicate selected layers from an open doc to another open doc.

I wrote a script to stack files retaining layers here:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/request-photoshop-script-load-files-to-stack-including-layers-in-order/td-p/14202346

Esther NetherlandsAuthor

Inspiring

Thanks Stephen! This indeed looks to be doing kind of what I am looking for... but the canvas settings etc should remain from the "main" document. Now the size is enlarged due to the other files being bigger in pixel size.

Stephen Marsh

Community Expert

You can disable the following line of code by adding a couple of double forward slashes in front of it:

//

From:

activeDocument.revealAll();

To:

//activeDocument.revealAll();

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

Open both images and drag the Layer (edit: either from the Canvas or the Layers Panel) to the other image window. A reason not to use tabbed view.

In tabbed view it is naturally also possible but a little less convenient.

Esther NetherlandsAuthor

Inspiring

I knew about the open/drag function, but when I did this with several at once, my windows became a mess and I got confused about which ones I did and did not do. 🫣

That is when I thought, let's ask to make sure I am not missing out on some cool feature to automatically fuse different PSD files into one, having all the original layers accessible. But, if I understand correctly, there is non. Right?

Trevor.Dennis

Community Expert

It obviously makes a difference what layer is selected, if any, in the target document, so I like to select the upper most layer so the new layers will be placed at the top of the stack. If I am copying severral layers to a new document, then I would either group them, or combine them as a Smart Object.

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