Unify layer properties in animation frames

Last updated on Oct 28, 2025

Use the unify layer buttons to consistently apply position, visibility, and style attributes across multiple animation frames in Adobe Photoshop.

The unify layer buttons help you control how changes to layer attributes in one frame affect other frames in your animation. The unify buttons in the Layers panel determine how changes you make to attributes in the active animation frame apply to other frames in the same layer.

Apply layer properties across all frames

Select the frame where you want to change an attribute in the Timeline panel (Window > Timeline).

Make the desired changes to the selected frame's layer such as move an object, change visibility, or modify a style.

Select the Unify Layer Position icon, Unify Layer Visibility icon, or the Unify Layer Style icon from the Layers panel. The attribute you changed will now be applied to all frames in the active layer, maintaining consistency throughout your animation.

You can also propagate changes from the first frame to all subsequent frames using the Propagate Frame 1 option.

Propagate changes from the first frame

Select the first frame of your animation in the Timeline panel.

Make the desired changes to your layer attributes in this frame.

Select the Propagate Frame 1 option from the Layers panel. The changes you made to the first frame will be applied in relation to all subsequent frames in the active layer.

Tip

You can also propagate frames by holding Shift and selecting any consecutive group of frames in the layer and changing an attribute in any of the selected frames.

Show or hide unify layer buttons

Select the panel menu icon from the Layers panel.

Select Animation Options.

Select Automatic, Always Show, or Always Hide.