An image opened in Photoshop consists of one or more layers. Each of them has the same dimensions, resolution, color model as the main document. Using layers makes it possible to apply any kind of image editing without changing the original. You can find out how they are stacked by looking at the Layers palette. The topmost layer in this palette hides all the others.
Ways to move layers
The stacking order of layers can be changed manually or using the appropriate commands. Click on the layer thumbnail and hold down the mouse button and drag it up or down. The pointer then turns into a tiny fist. When the dividing line between the layers darkens, release the button to move the layer. As you drag, you will see a ghost image of the layer being moved.
You can change the position of the layer using the command "Layers" - "Arrange". In this case, to move to the very top, execute the command "Layer" - "Arrange" - "Bring to Front" or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift +]. And to send the layer to the very bottom, in the Arrange menu select the line Send to Back or press Ctrl + Shift + [. To raise the layer one position, apply the item "Bring Forward" or press Ctrl +]. Accordingly, to move the layer down one position, you need to select the "Bring back" line or press the Ctrl + [key combination.
The only layer that cannot be repositioned is the background layer. If you need to move it, then in the layers palette, double-click on the corresponding line. Rename the background layer in the dialog that opens, and then click OK. You can also execute the command "Layers" - "New" - "From the background".
If you want to add a layer below the one that is currently selected, click the Create New Layer button while holding down the Ctrl key. This will save you the trouble of dragging and dropping the created layer down one level.
How to change the stacking order of multiple layers at once
You can change the position of multiple layers at the same time. To do this, all of them must be selected in the "Layers" palette. To select sequentially located layers, click on the first of them, and then, holding down the Shift key, on the last one. Photoshop will automatically select all layers in between.
To simultaneously select layers that are not adjacent, click on the name of the first layer, and then, holding down the Ctrl key, on the rest. With several layers selected, you can apply the command "Layers" - "Arrange" - "Invert". It inverts their stacking order and sometimes leads to very interesting results. There are no hotkeys for this command.
Grouping layers
If the document contains a large number of layers, they can be combined into groups by purpose or some other characteristic. This saves you the hassle of scrolling through the palette when you find the layer you want. To create a group, click on the Create New Group button at the bottom of the Layers palette. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl-G. The program will add the created group to the Layers palette, and then drag the layers you want to group into it with the mouse.
You can work with groups of layers in the same way as with ordinary layers - duplicate, delete, move. You can also create nested layer groups by dragging and dropping them into one another.
