I am sure you have heard the idiom, “There is more than one way to skin a cat.”  In Photoshop, there are multiple ways to duplicate a layer. You may have your own preference because it is the fastest or maybe it is the only way you know to accomplish this task. There really is no right or wrong way. Today, I will describe different methods on how to duplicate a layer.

The initial step is to open the object you want to duplicate. Once you have it open, select the layer in the layers palette. Here are the methods. Note that I am using Photoshop CC 2015.

1. Right click the layer in the layers palette and choose Duplicate Layer from the window that appears.

2. Click the layer options (top right on the layers palette) and choose Duplicate layer.

3. Click Ctrl-J (Command + J for MAC) on your keyboard (this is probably the easiest of them all).

4. Go to the top menu and choose Layer > Duplicate Layer

5. Drag the layer onto the New Layer icon at the bottom of the layers palette.

6. While holding down the ALT key, click on the layer you like to duplicate. Left click and hold down the mouse button while you drag the element up. When the mouse reaches the top of the layer you have selected, release the ALT key and the mouse. The layer will be duplicated.

7. With the marquee, lasso, or crop tool selected, right click the canvas and choose Duplicate Layer.

Did you see your favorite method? As mentioned before, there is no right or wrong way of doing it. Just choose whichever way fits in with your current process the best.

That’s all for now. Keeping it short and sweet! For those of you celebrating Easter, I wish you a joyous one! Until next time. This is Leah signing off…  Happy scrapping!