Task 2 How to Link Layers

As you accumulate multiple layers in a file, you can link certain layers together to preserve alignment or visibility. After you link layers, they all move together as you reposition the multiple layers on the screeneven as they maintain their identities as separate layers. You also can merge linked layers together with a single command, as explained in Task 9, "How to Merge and Flatten Layers," of this part.

1. Open the File

Locate and open the file you want to edit by either selecting File, Open or clicking the Go to Bridge icon in the Options bar.

2. Open the Layers Palette

Select Window, Layers to open the Layers palette. This example starts with an image that contains several layers in addition to the basic Background layer.

3. Select the Primary Layer

In the Layers palette, click the layer to which you want to link other layers. The layer you select here becomes the primary layer, or the active layer. In this example, the Background layer was chosen.

4. Link Secondary Layers

Hold down the Ctrl key (Window users)) or the x key (Mac users) and click any additional layers you want to link. Click the Link Layers icon in the bottom-left corner of the Layers palette. A chain icon appears to the right of the layer's title, indicating that the layers are linked.

5. Unlink Layers

To unlink layers, click any linked layer to select it and then click the Link Layers icon in the bottom-left corner of the Layers palette to remove the links. When the link icons are gone, the layers are no longer linked. Alternately, you can Shift+click a layer's link icon to temporarily unlink that layer. When you want to relink the layer, Shift+click again on its link icon (which now appears with a red x across it, signifying its temporary unlinked status).

How-To Hints

Transforming Linked Layers

Linked layers do more than just move and align together. You also can apply the Transform command, as outlined in Task 6, "How to Transform Layers," to modify all the linked layers at once.