Publishers of technology books, eBooks, and videos for creative people

Home > Articles > Adobe Photoshop > Technique

This chapter is from the book

Duplicate Anything

Duplicate an Entire Document

qus.jpg I sometimes want to make a quick copy of a document so I can try out an idea. Is there an easier way than closing the document and duplicating it on the desktop?

tick.jpg No need to run off to the desktop; you can duplicate a document from within Photoshop. Choose Image > Duplicate, name the duplicate, select Duplicate Merged Layers Only if you want the duplicate to be a flattened version of the current document, and click OK. The duplicate document appears as a new window.

Or even faster: Add the Option/Alt key when you choose Image > Duplicate and you'll get a copy without the annoying dialog box!

A document you create with the Duplicate command doesn't exist as a file until you save it, even though you see a named title bar at the top of the duplicate document.

Duplicate documents can be useful for creating variations on a document, or for quickly experimenting with techniques on a flattened or downsampled version of a document.

Duplicate Layers

qus.jpg What's the best way to duplicate a layer? And can a layer be copied to another document?

tick.jpg There are lots of ways to duplicate a layer, depending on what you're trying to accomplish.

To duplicate the current layer using the Layer menu, choose Layer > Duplicate Layer. In the Duplicate Layer dialog box, you have the option to create the duplicate in another open document or in a new document. This is a great way to "send" a layer to another document. The Duplicate Layer command also appears on the Layers palette menu.

Another, faster way to copy a layer is to select the Move tool and Option/Alt-drag anywhere in the image. This is a good option if you don't want the duplicate to be in the exact same position as the original layer.

Or, to duplicate the current layer using the Layers palette, drag a layer to the New Layer icon.

A type object exists on its own layer, so you can use any of these methods to duplicate a type object too.

Duplicate a Path or Shape

qus.jpg How can I duplicate a path or shape without duplicating the entire layer? I just want to make a copy of the vector object on the same layer.

tick.jpg It's a simple matter of changing the tool you're using to select. To copy a path or shape without making a new layer, Option/Alt-drag the path or shape using the Path Selection tool (the black arrow tool), not the Move tool ( Figure 3.34 ).

03fig34.jpg

Figure 3.34 Duplicating the original path (top) by Option/Alt-dragging the path with the Path Selection tool (bottom).

Create a Step-and-Repeat Layout

qus.jpg I don't have a layout program and I sometimes need to create step-and-repeat layouts, like a page full of business cards. It's easy enough to copy layers, but when the original needs to be updated, I have to set up the copies all over again. Is there an easier way?

tick.jpg Thanks to the new Smart Objects feature in Photoshop CS2, it's now practical to create step-and-repeat jobs right in your favorite image-editing program. You can create a single graphic, make a Smart Object out of it, and duplicate the Smart Object as needed. If you edit the contents of the Smart Object, all of the Smart Object duplicates update automatically. Here's how it works:

  1. In the Layers palette, select the layers you want to repeat, and choose Layer > Smart Objects > Group Into New Smart Object ( Figure 3.35 ).
    03fig35.jpg

    Figure 3.35 The layers of the design (left and center) combined into a smart object (right).

  2. Make sure the image canvas is large enough to contain all the duplicates you're going to make (see "Image Size vs. Canvas Size, earlier in this chapter). Or, probably better, just create a new document large enough, and drag your new smart object layer into it.
  3. Using the Move tool, position the Smart Object in the top left corner of the document.
  4. Using the Move tool, Option-Shift-drag/Alt-Shift-drag the Smart Object to make and position a duplicate next to the original. Repeat until you've created an entire row of duplicates ( Figure 3.36 ).
    03fig36.jpg

    Figure 3.36 The smart object Option/Alt-dragged across four times to create a complete row.

  5. If you didn't space the layers evenly while drawing, you can do it now. Select all of the layers making up the row and choose Layer > Distribute > Horizontal Centers.
  6. In the Layers palette, select the layers you created. Choose Layer > Group Layers The layers are now grouped in a folder in the Layers palette.
  7. You can now Option-Shift-drag/Alt-Shift-drag a copy of the group downward from the original, repeating until you have the number of rows you want.
  8. To update all of the smart objects at once, double-click any of them in the Layers palette, or choose Layer > Smart Objects > Edit Contents ( Figure 3.37 ).
    03fig37.jpg

    Figure 3.37 The Edit Contents command on the Layers palette menu (left) opens a smart object for editing. Here, the background image in the smart object was flipped (above). Saving this smart object updates all instances of that smart object in the document.

  9. The contents of the smart object open in a temporary window. Edit it as needed then save it and close the window.

When you close that editing window, Photoshop updates all of the smart object copies in the document!

Peachpit Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Peachpit and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Peachpit products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email ask@peachpit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.peachpit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020