Save Layers as Individual Files in Photoshop – 3 Easy Methods!
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Save layers as individual files in Photoshop by exporting each layer as its own image, using a script, Quick Export, or the Export As dialog.
In this tutorial, you will learn three techniques to save layers as individual files in Photoshop.
The first technique works on older versions of Photoshop. The other two work on newer versions.
We will work with the same Photoshop document containing three layers in all three examples.
- A Background Layer.
- A Vector graphic with a Layer Style.
- A text layer also with a Layer Style.
The video was recorded in Photoshop 2018 (version 19.1.6), and every method still works the same way in the current version of Photoshop.
One reason to export layers separately is to prepare artwork for something like Instagram’s multi-post carousels, which need each image sliced into its own file. See our tutorial on splitting one canvas into an Instagram carousel for that technique.
Key Takeaways
- Photoshop offers three ways to save layers as individual files: a script, Quick Export, and the Export As dialog.
- The Layers to Files script sits under File > Scripts in older versions of Photoshop, and under File > Export in newer versions.
- Quick Export names each file after its layer, while the script names files with a prefix and a number.
- Hidden layers export too, unless you check Visible Layers Only in the script’s dialog.
- Trim Layers crops each exported file to its actual pixels instead of the full canvas size.
- The Export As dialog lets you assign a different file format to each layer in the same export.
Table of contents
What You Will Learn
- How to export layers using the older Layers to Files script.
- How to save selected layers with Quick Export as PNG.
- How to change the Quick Export file format in Preferences.
- How to assign a different file type to each layer with the Export As dialog.
Requirements
Before you start
- Photoshop 2018 (version 19.1 or later) or the current version.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Select a continuous range of layers | Shift click | Shift click |
| Select non-consecutive layers | Ctrl click | Command click |
| Open Preferences (to change the Quick Export file format) | Ctrl K | Command K |
Save Layers As Individual Files In Photoshop Using a Script
In older versions of Photoshop, you’ll need to go to File > Scripts and select Layers to Files. But in the current version of Photoshop, the option Layers to Files has been moved to File > Export > Layers to Files.
Then follow the steps in the Export Layers To Files window.
- Select the folder location where the individual layers will be saved.
- You can change the file name if you like. By default, the File Name will be the prefix to the exported files, along with a numerical value.
- To export only the visible layers, Check “Visible Layers Only.”
- Choose the file type for the exported documents. If you have transparent backgrounds, select PNG-24 since it supports alpha channels.
- You can enable ICC Profile and Transparency when using PNGs with transparent backgrounds.
To only include actual pixel content check the Trim Layers box. Photoshop will then crop each individual exported file to match the content.
Once you’re done, press Run.
You’ll get a notification once all the layer files have been saved.
In the resulting folder, you will see all the layers saved, and each file name will have the naming prefix you set and a numerical value for each.
Tip: If you need to manage several design variations inside one file instead of exporting them, pair Layer Comps with Smart Objects. See our tutorial on using Layer Comps with Smart Objects for that workflow.
Save Layers As Individual Files In Photoshop Using Quick Export
Let’s now look at the new Quick Export command and how you can use it to save layers into individual files in Photoshop.
Let’s start by selecting all the layers. Select the topmost layer, hold Shift (Windows) or Shift (macOS) and click on the bottommost layer to select all three layers.
Alternatively, you can select any layer and hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (macOS) and tap on the other layers to select non-consecutive layers.
Next, Right-click on any of the selected layers, and from the dropdown menu, choose Quick Export as PNG. Then choose the folder you want the individual layers to be saved.
Once all the layer files have been saved in the designated folder, you’ll see the file name format. It differs from the first technique for saving individual layers we showed you earlier.
The file name of each document corresponds to the Photoshop layer name.
If you want to change the Export as PNG file extension to JPG, go into the Preferences panel by pressing CtrlK (Windows) or CommandK (macOS).
Under the Export tab, go to the file extension dropdown and change the file extension to JPG. Then press OK.
Keep in mind that you also have preferences for the JPG Metadata.
Now, when you right-click on a layer, you’ll see Export as JPG.
You can also change the other settings at Preferences > Export.
Save Layers As Individual Files In Photoshop Using The Export As Command
Let’s work on the third technique for saving individual layers to files in Photoshop.
Start by selecting all three layers. Right-click and choose Export As.
Change the settings for your Export here:
1. On the far left panel, click the corresponding layer to assign a file extension.
2. Select the preferred file extension for the corresponding layer.
3. You can edit the Metadata or Color Space. If you’re exporting a file to be used on the web, enable Convert to sRGB.
4. Click on the Export Options link to learn more about these settings and the Export As dialog.
When done, tap on the Export All button.
This process works in reverse too. To combine several separate image files into one document as layers, see our tutorial on opening multiple images as layers.
Frequently Asked Questions
In older versions, go to File > Scripts > Layers to Files. In newer versions, it moved to File > Export > Layers to Files.
Select the layers you want, right-click next to them, and choose Quick Export as PNG. Photoshop names each file after its layer.
Click the first layer, then hold Shift and click another layer to select every layer in between. Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (macOS) and click to add layers that are not next to each other.
Yes. Open Preferences > Export and change the Quick Export Format to JPEG, or choose the format per layer in the Export As dialog.
The Layers to Files script exports every layer by default. Check Visible Layers Only in its dialog to skip hidden layers.
Trim Layers crops each exported file to its actual pixel content instead of saving the full canvas size for every layer. Leave it off when every file needs the same dimensions, for example frames you plan to line up again later.
Quick Export saves selected layers fast, using one file format for all of them. The Export As dialog lets you assign a different format and settings to each layer individually.
Any recent version of Photoshop can do it. Older versions keep the Layers to Files script under File > Scripts, and newer versions moved the same script to File > Export.
Conclusion
Photoshop gives you three ways to save layers as individual files: the older Layers to Files script, Quick Export, and the Export As dialog.
Once you pick a folder and a file format, exporting even a dozen layers takes seconds.
Watch the video above for a full walkthrough, and comment on the video with any question.
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