Select File > New to create a blank document.
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Learn the basics
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Set up toolbars and panels
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- Edit images with AI Assistant
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- Generative AI in Photoshop
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Create, open, and import images
- Import files
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Create images
- Generate an image with descriptive text prompts
- Edit images with Generative Fill
- Generate sharper variations with Enhance Detail
- Explore beyond the canvas with Generative Expand
- Use reference images for consistent results
- Generate images guided by a reference image
- Edit images with Prompt to edit
- Use Markup for AI image generation
- Create documents using presets
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Create and manage layers
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Get started with layers
- Layers overview
- Organize layers with layer groups
- Work with the Layers panel
- Video Layers overview
- Convert background and regular layers
- Duplicate layers
- Create document from layer or group
- Change transparency preferences
- Sample from all visible layers
- Rasterize layers
- Organize layers in the Layers panel
- Transform and manipulate layers
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Color adjustment and fill layers
- Adjustment and fill layers overview
- Work with adjustment layers
- Use layer masks to target adjustment or fill layers
- Create adjustment layers
- Merging adjustment or fill layers
- Adjustment presets overview
- Create custom presets
- Correct color balance with Color and vibrance
- Create fill layers
- Adjustment layer options
- Change adjustment and fill layer options
- Adjust contrast with Clarity and Dehaze
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- Adjust image lighting with Light
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Apply layer effects
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- Layer style effects and options overview
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Smart objects
- Smart Objects - overview and benefits
- Create embedded Smart Objects
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- Embed Linked Smart Objects
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- Filter the Layers panel by Smart Objects
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- Create layer compositions
- Layout and design tools
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Get started with layers
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Crop, resize, and transform
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Resize and adjust resolution
- Printed image resolution
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- Resample option in the Image Size dialog
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- Resampling options in Photoshop
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Resize and adjust resolution
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Make selections
- Get started with selections
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Automatic and color-based selections
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- Make precise selections using Select People
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- Paint a selection with Quick Selection tool
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Refine and modify selections
- Move a selection or selection border
- Refine your selection and mask
- Hover layer bounds in the Move tool
- Copy and paste selections
- Create multiple copies of a selection within an image
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- Delete or cut selected pixels
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- Adjust a selection manually
- Select only an area intersected by other selections
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- Use selections for generative editing
- Select areas and pixels of images in focus
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Repair and retouch
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Remove objects and fill space
- Remove background in your images
- Replace background with Generate Background
- Retouch tools overview
- Blend objects and people into any background with Harmonize
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- Tools to fine-tune sampling and fill areas
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Clean and restore images
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- Keyboard shortcuts to adjust perspective
- Get started with Photomerge
- Create panoramic images with Photomerge
- Create 360-degree panoramas
- Remove imperfections with the Spot Healing Brush
- Retouch a large area with the Healing Brush tool
- Repair an area with the Patch tool
- Remove red eye in flash photos
- Define an image as a preset pattern
- Erase parts of an image with the Eraser tool
- Auto Erase with the Pencil tool
- Create smoother brush strokes using stroke smoothing
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- Remove similar pixels with the Magic Eraser tool
- Remove reflections
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Remove objects and fill space
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Adjust color
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Apply painting techniques
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Brushes and presets
- Get started with brush presets
- Display the Brush Settings panel and brush options
- Create a brush tip from an image
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Draw shapes and paths
- Create shapes
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Text and typography
- Get started with text
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Effects and filters
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Artistic and stylize filters
- Reshape and distort images with Transform Warp
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- Get precise distortions with Split Warp
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- Overview of Liquify filter
- Overview of distortion tools
- Use Liquify to distort an image
- Freeze or thaw areas
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- Work with backdrops
- Reconstruct distortions
- Replace the sky in images
- Select and manage sky presets
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Use grids and measurement guides
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Measure and scale
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- Measure and position with the Ruler tool
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Add video and animation
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Create animation frames
- Create frame-based animations
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- Create frames using tweening
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Create animation frames
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Automate tasks
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Save and export
- Save files
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Export files to different formats
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- Photoshop file formats overview
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Create collages and montages using layers
Last updated on
Sep 28, 2026
Add multiple images to a single document as separate layers using the Move tool.
Each image sits on its own layer, so you can adjust, move, or modify individual elements without affecting the rest of your collage.
Use this workflow when you want complete control over image placement and need flexibility to make changes throughout your creative process.
Before starting your collage, ensure you have:
- Multiple images saved on your computer
- A clear idea of your final collage dimensions
- Basic familiarity with the Layers panel
Create a blank canvas, then add each image as a new layer. To display the Layers panel, select Window > Layers .
Create the collage document and add images
In the New Document dialog, specify your desired dimensions (such as 1920 x 1080 pixels or 8 x 10 inches), set resolution to 150 pixels/inch or higher, and choose a white background.
Select Create.
Select File > Open and navigate to your first source image.
Select the Move tool from the toolbar.
Click anywhere within the source image window, drag to your collage document window, and release to place the image as a new layer.
In the Layers panel, double-click the layer name (such as "Layer 1"), type a descriptive name for easy identification, and press Enter (Windows) or Return (macOS).
Close the source image window.
Repeat steps 4 through 7 for each additional image you want to add.
Note
Source images with varying resolutions may appear at different sizes in your collage. You can adjust layer size later using Edit > Free Transform.
Each image now appears on its own named layer in the Layers panel. You can drag layers up or down to reorder them, adjust individual layer opacity, or apply transformations to refine your composition.
The Background layer remains beneath all added images, providing the base color you specified during document creation.
For more complex blending effects, explore layer blend modes by selecting different options from the blend mode dropdown at the top of the Layers panel. To merge your finished collage into a single layer, select Layer > Flatten Image, though this removes editing flexibility.
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