How to copy layers from one Photoshop document to another?

Question

Is there a way to copy layers from one Photoshop document to another? I was working on a project earlier on that required this but I didn't know how this could have been done. (Procedure not as simple as Illustrator, where a simple Ctrl | Cmd + C and Ctrl | Cmd + V would work.)

Answer 1

Hi, the best way to 'copy' entire layers from one file to another is to MOVE them. Have both file windows open, select the layers you would like to be 'copied', drag the layers from the layers pallet of the first file, into the open window of the 2nd file, let go of the mouse click when they are directly over the 2nd file artboard and they should now be in the 2nd file (Copied). If you hold Shift while releasing the mouse click then the layers will drop in the same location as they were in the first file (Similar to paste in place). Please let me know if I've misunderstood your question, or overlooked something you feel is important. Thanks and good luck!

Answer 2

Hmm, that is strange. You should still be able to use CMD C/CMD V in Photoshop and transfer the layers into a new document that way. Perhaps your Photoshop document was pretty complex which made this difficult.

Another way to transfer layers into another Photoshop document is to select your layers, click + hold + drag, hover over the tab of the Photoshop document you want to bring them into, then it will automatically switch over to that document and you can drop the layers into it.