How to Create Layer Order in Adobe Photoshop

Layers are independent images that make up an Adobe Photoshop document. Changing the order of the layers in Photoshop will bring some objects to the top of the screen and send some objects to the back of the screen. You can change the layer order as long as you have at least two layers in your document.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop

1. Start Adobe Photoshop and start a new Photoshop document.

2. Create a new layer by going to the "Layer" menu, selecting "New" and "Layer…," renaming the layer and choosing any settings you want.

3. Add an object or text to this layer so you can see how the layer order affects your document.

4. Add another new layer to your document, adding some sort of object or text on this new layer. Notice that in your Layers palette you now have a Background and two other layers.

5. Click on the middle layer in the Layers palette with your mouse.

6. Hold down your mouse button, drag the layer to the top of the Layers palette and let go of your mouse button. In doing this, you are changing the order of the layers.

7. Notice that when you change the order of layers, it changes the order of objects on the screen. The layer at the top of the Layers palette should be the layer that you want to be on the top, or closest to you, on your document. All the other layers will go under it in the Layers palette, the last layer being the layer that will be at the bottom, or farthest away from you, on the screen.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't see the Layers palette, choose "Layers" from the "Windows" menu, or press the F7 key on your keyboard.
• To rename a layer, right-click on the layer in the Layers palette you wish to rename and choose "Rename."