Select Window > Layer Comps to open the Layer Comps panel.
Last updated on
Sep 28, 2026
Capture multiple design variations in a single file using snapshots of layer visibility, position, and appearance.
Layer Comps let you present multiple design variations to clients without creating separate files for each version.
A layer comp is a snapshot of your Layers panel at a specific moment. Use Layer Comps when you need to show different layout options, color schemes, or content arrangements within a single document. Each comp can record layer visibility (showing or hiding layers), layer position, layer appearance (styles and blending modes), and Smart Object layer comp selections. Layer Comps work best for exploring design alternatives before finalizing your composition.
Create a new layer comp
Arrange your layers to reflect the design state you want to capture.
Select the Create New Layer Comp button at the bottom of the Layer Comps panel.
Enter a descriptive name and optional comments in the New Layer Comp dialog box.
Select which layer properties to record: Visibility, Position, Appearance (Layer Style), or Layer Comp Selection For Smart Objects.
Select OK.
Your selected options become the default settings for future Layer Comps.
Tip
Duplicate an existing comp by dragging it to the Create New Layer Comp option in the Layer Comps panel.
Apply and view layer comps
Open the Layer Comps panel by selecting Window > Layer Comps.
Select the Apply Layer Comp from Layer Comps context menu.
Use the Previous and Next controls at the bottom of the panel to cycle through all or specific comps.
Select the Apply Layer Comp option to restore your document.
Update a layer comp
Select the layer comp to update in the Layer Comps panel.
Make your changes to layer visibility, position, or appearance in the Layers panel.
Select Layer Comp Options from the Layer Comps panel menu if you need to change which properties the comp records.
Select the Update Layer Comp button at the bottom of the Layer Comps panel.
Use layer comps in Smart Objects
When you place a document containing layer comps as a Smart Object in another document, you can access those layer comps without opening the source file. This lets you switch between design variations at the Smart Object level.
Select the Smart Object layer in your document's Layers panel.
Open the Properties panel by selecting Window > Properties.
Select the layer comp you want to display from the Layer Comp menu in the Properties panel.
The Smart Object updates to show the selected comp while preserving any transforms or effects you've applied to it.
Clear layer comp warnings
A warning icon appears next to a layer comp when you delete, merge, or convert layers that the comp references. The comp can no longer be fully restored to its original state.
Select the warning icon next to the comp name to view the specific issue.
Select Clear in the message to remove the warning and preserve remaining layer properties.
Right-click the warning icon and select Clear Layer Comp Warning to clear a single warning or Clear All Layer Comp Warnings to clear all warnings at once.
You can also update the comp to its current state or ignore the warning if you don't need the missing layer information.
Delete a layer comp
Select the layer comp in the Layer Comps panel.
Select the Delete icon at the bottom of the panel or drag the comp to the Delete icon.
Select Delete Layer Comp from the panel menu for an alternative method.
Export layer comps to files
Select File > Export > Layer Comps To Files.
Choose your destination folder in the dialog box.
Select the file format for your exported comps.
Select Run to create individual files for each layer comp.
Each layer comp exports as a separate file with the comp name appended to the filename.
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