Linking

Linking layers means you can share layer attributes between layers and have them all update simultaneously if any one of the layer attributes of any linked layer is altered.

Linking layers before
Linking layers after
Linked HSL adjustment layers applied to all balloons allow them to be recoloured simultaneously by changing a single setting.

About linking

By default, layer attributes are shared when linking. Some layers have common attributes such as blend mode and opacity while other layers have attributes unique to the layer type, e.g. an adjustment layer or filter layer. For example, an HSL adjustment layer can be synchronised with another HSL adjustment layer but not with a White Balance adjustment layer; their common blend mode and opacity can be shared however.

About unlinking

There may be an occasion where you might want to selectively unlink an attribute from a specific linked layer, giving it its own independent setting. For example, if you wanted a linked Gaussian Blur live filter layer to share the same attributes as other linked Gaussian Blur live filter layer, but not its Blend mode settings, you can unlink this attribute.

Relinking simply adopts the same attribute as all other linked layers—the reverse of unlinking.

About linked layer attributes

Attribute For sharing Example
Transform*The same moving, resizing, rotating and shearing operation between layer content simultaneouslyResizing linked shapes in proportion
Pixel contentThe same pixels between layers that update simultaneously on editingMaking a mask share the same pixel content as another mask
Blend mode & rangesThe same blend mode and tonal blendingSwapping out a multiply blend mode for a soft light blend mode en masse amongst composite images
Visibility & opacityThe same opacity level and Show/Hide settings between layersMaking multiple semi-transparent text frames that update with opacity changes
Layer effect parametersThe same layer effect settings (shadow, bevel, colour overlays)Multiple text captions can use a common drop shadow appearance that update if the effect is modified.
Adjustment parametersThe same adjustment layer settingsUsing the same white balance settings to uniformly 'warm' composited images
Live filter parametersThe same live filter layer settingsSharing uniform blurs on multiple background composited images
Vector shape parametersThe shapes' appearances can be morphedRounded rectangles could update simultaneously if the corner roundness is to change
Vector fillA solid or gradient fillConsistent colour-to-transparency 'tail-off' radial and linear gradients applied to composited images.
Vector line styleThe stroke width, colour and styleDotted lines on a travel map could change their dot pattern simultaneously.
To create linked layers:
  1. Select the layer(s) to be linked.
  2. On the Edit menu, select Duplicate Linked.

Linking To indicate linkage, linked layers on the Layers panel will show a link icon on both the original and duplicated layer.

On the now displayed Links pane at the bottom of the Layers panel, the attributes associated with the linked layer are listed. These attributes can be hidden if needed.

Panel Preferences To hide/show linked attributes:
Unlink linked layer attributes To unlink linked layer attributes:
Link Drop To relink linked layer attributes:
  1. On the Layers panel, select the 'source' linked layer, i.e. the layer whose attribute you want to relink to.
  2. Drag the 'target' layer, i.e. the layer whose attribute is currently unlinked, to the Link Drop icon in the Links pane.

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