> PHOTOSHOP USER>^ AUGUST 2019[ 66 ]
The Layers panel in Photoshop is where we spend the most time when editing our images. Having
a clean and organized workflow is critical. Properly labeling, color-coding, organizing layers in
groups, and deleting unnecessary layers will save you lots of headaches and allow you to work
more efficiently. In this installment, I’ll show you a few shortcuts that will optimize and speed up
your workflow. Let’s start with the essential shortcuts.LAYERS PANEL SHORTCUTS
Shortcut #1: To create a new layer, press Command-
Shift-N (PC: Ctrl-Shift-N). A dialog will appear where you
can name and color code the layer in advance. Note: To
color code an existing layer or group, simply Right-click
on the layer or group and select a color from the pop-up
menu. To remove the color code, do the exact same thing,
but choose No Color from the menu. To name an existing
layer, simply double-click on the layer name, type your
new name, and press Return (PC: Enter).Shortcut #2: To duplicate a layer, press Command-J
(PC: Ctrl-J). You can also
Option-click (PC: Alt-
click) on the layer and
drag it upward.Shortcut #3: To create
a new layer below the
selected layer, Command-
click (PC: Ctrl-click) on
the Create a New Layer
icon at the bottom of
the panel.Shortcut #4: To select
multiple layers stacked
together, click on the
top most layer you want to
select and Shift-click on
the bottommost layer of
the stack. This will allow
you to quickly select all
the layers instead of Com-
mand-clicking (PC: Ctrl-
clicking) on all of them
individually.Shortcut #5: To group
layers, first select multiple
layers in the Layers panels,
and then press Command-
G (PC: Ctrl-G).
Once you’ve created
a group, make sure to
name it and color code it.
These simple habits will
save you a lot of frustra-
tion whenever you need
to make changes to any
of your layers. Even when
the groups aren’t col-
lapsed, you can easily see
which layer belongs to
what group because of its
color code.Shortcut #6:
To un group layers, select
the group in the Layers
panel and press Com-
mand-Shift-G (PC: Ctrl-
Shift-G).Shortcut #7: To merge a group into one layer, select
the group in the Layers panel and press Command-E
(PC: Ctrl-E).Shortcut #8: To merge all visible layers, press Command-
Shift-E (PC: Ctrl-Shift-E).Shortcut #9: To scroll downward through the layers in
the Layers panel, press Option-[ (PC: Alt-[). To scroll upward
through the layers, press Option-] (PC: Alt-]).
Shortcut City
GILMARSMITH