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Create and manage video layers
Last updated on
Oct 4, 2026
Learn how to use video layer workflows to combine motion content with still images in your compositions in Photoshop.
Video layers bring motion content into Photoshop, letting you edit individual frames, apply adjustments, and create complex compositions that blend video with still images.
Video layers reference original video files, keeping your edits non-destructive. Each video layer appears in the Layers panel with a filmstrip icon and can be modified using masks, filters, blending modes, and layer styles. Use these workflows when you need to add video files to documents, apply transformations, organize multiple video layers, or convert video content to static images.
Video layers bring motion content into Photoshop, letting you edit individual frames, apply adjustments, and create complex compositions that blend video with still images.
Before you begin
- Photoshop 2023 or later required. Transforming video layers requires Smart Object conversion. The Timeline panel must display in timeline mode.
- Video file in a supported format (MP4, MOV, AVI, or image sequence).
- Timeline panel displayed in timeline mode (select Window > Timeline).
Open a video file as a new document
Navigate to your video file, select it, and select Open.
The video appears on a video layer in a new document.
Add a video file to an existing document
With your document open, verify that the Timeline panel displays in timeline mode.
Select Layer > Video Layers > New Video Layer From File.
Navigate to your video or image sequence file and select Open.
Create a blank video layer
Verify the Timeline panel displays in timeline mode for your active document.
Select Layer > Video Layers > New Blank Video Layer.
Blank video layers let you create hand-drawn animations or make frame edits on a separate layer.
Transform a video layer
In the Timeline or Layers panel, select the video layer you want to transform.
Select Edit > Free Transform to use handles in the document window, or select Edit > Transform and choose a specific transformation option.
If prompted, select OK to convert the video layer to a Smart Object.
Adjust the transformation handles or enter specific values in the options bar.
Press Enter (Windows) or Return (macOS) to apply the transformation.
Group video layers together
In the Layers panel, select two or more layers by Shift-clicking or Ctrl-clicking (Windows) or Command-clicking (macOS).
Select Layer > Group Layers or press Ctrl + G (Windows) or Command + G (macOS).
Grouping video layers organizes them into a hierarchy and lets you animate opacity for all layers in the group simultaneously. You can also convert grouped layers to a Smart Object by selecting Layer > Smart Objects > Convert to Smart Object.
Rasterize a video layer
In the Layers panel, select the video layer you want to rasterize.
In the Timeline panel, move the current-time indicator to the frame you want to preserve.
Select Layer > Rasterize > Video.
Note
Rasterizing flattens the video layer to a composite of the selected frame. When rasterizing multiple video layers, Photoshop preserves the current frame only for the topmost layer.
For frame-level editing such as trimming clips, adjusting playback timing, or painting on individual frames, see Edit video and animation layers.
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