How to Make Photoshop Layer Comps

Photoshop's layer comp feature can save a lot of time and trouble. Rather than saving several versions of a file to see how different changes look, you can save multiple layer comps (or mock ups) in the same file and turn them on and off to compare changes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Open your image in Photoshop. Rather than using Image Adjustments to correct the color use "Adjustment Layers." If you want to adjust the levels, for instance, add a Levels adjustment layer. Hide the first adjustment layer and try a new Levels adjustment with different settings or use a totally different adjustment layer (Curves, or Color Balance.)

2. Add layers to your image. Try a vector layer, such as type or a custom shape. Or make a selection from another image and drag it into this one. You may not keep these layers in the final version; you just want to see what they look like.

3. Add a drop shadow to your type (or shape) layer. Click on the "Add Layer Style" icon in the Layers palette and choose "Drop Shadow" from the pull down. Add another style such as "Outer Glow" or "Gradient Overlay." Add styles to other layers, such as your selection from a different image.

4. Open the Layer Comps palette. You will see a layer comp named "Last document state." Choose "New Layer Comp" from the palette's options menu and name it. You will see new comp in the palette with the name you just selected. The square beside the new comp will show the comp icon to indicate this is the currently active state.

5. Return to the Layers palette. Hide the currently visible adjustment layer, and show the first adjustment layer you created. Turn off one or more layer styles, and hide the type layer.

6. Create a new layer comp with the Layer Comp palette (you will notice that "Last document state" became the active layer comp again.) Now your palette will have three comps. Show and hide different layers and layer styles to create as many layer comps as you want.

7. Save your file. Select the layer comp you most prefer and flatten the image ("Flatten Image" in the Layers palette options menu.) Use the "Save As" command to save your finished file so that you can keep a working copy of your layer comps should you need them again.

Tips & Warnings

• Layer comps only preserve the visibility of layer styles, adjustment layers and individual object layers. They can't keep track of position changes, or changes made to pixels on layers.