ORGANIZE THE LAYERS PANEL with names and colors

Although the tasks in this chapter add only a few layers to each image, depending on the complexity of the project, you will often accumulate many more layers in the Layers panel as you work. You can view all the layers at once by scrolling through the list, or you can expand the Layers panel by clicking and dragging the Layers panel tab to separate it from the other panels on the screen. You can also close any panel tab groups you are not using so the Layers panel expands automatically to fill the space. You can name individual layers to help you remember which one applied a specific adjustment to an image. You can also color-code your layers to help you visually organize the Layers panel. Whether you work alone or with a group of designers and share projects, organizing your Layers panel with names and colors streamlines the entire editing process. 

Close Tab Groups 

1 Click the panel menu button on any unused tab group. 

2 Click Close Tab Group. The tabbed group disappears and the other tabbed groups expand to fill the space. 

Note: You can optionally repeat steps 1 and 2 for other unused groups. 

Note: You can also click and drag a panel out of a group to maintain it on the screen before closing the other tabs in the tabbed group. 

Rename Layers 

1 Double-click the name of a layer. 

2 Type a new name in the box. 

3 Repeat for any other layers to give each layer a distinctive name.

Color-Code Layers

1 Control+click (rightclick) a layer.

2 Click to select a color 1 for the layer.

A The layer’s eye icon box changes color.

3 Repeat steps 1 and 2 to colorcode other layers.

TIPS

Try This!
 

You can group multiple layers into one layer group by selecting the layers and then clicking the New Group button ( ) on the bottom of the Layers panel, or by clicking Layer Group Layers from the menu. Layer groups can be opened for editing purposes and then collapsed to display a single folder. You can also move a group of layers all at once. Layer groups can be nested more than five levels deep.
 

More Options!
 

You can merge any layers that do not need to remain separately editable. Make sure the two layers are one above the other in the Layers panel by clicking and dragging them if necessary. Click the top layer to select it. Click the panel menu button ( ) and select Merge Down, or press Ô+E (Ctrl+E). You can also merge layers by Ô+clicking (Ctrl+clicking) two or more layers and then clicking Layers Merge Selected.