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 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.
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.
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.
| Attribute | For sharing | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Transform* | The same moving, resizing, rotating and shearing operation between layer content simultaneously | Resizing linked shapes in proportion |
| Pixel content | The same pixels between layers that update simultaneously on editing | Making a mask share the same pixel content as another mask |
| Blend mode & ranges | The same blend mode and tonal blending | Swapping out a multiply blend mode for a soft light blend mode en masse amongst composite images |
| Visibility & opacity | The same opacity level and Show/Hide settings between layers | Making multiple semi-transparent text frames that update with opacity changes |
| Layer effect parameters | The 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 parameters | The same adjustment layer settings | Using the same white balance settings to uniformly 'warm' composited images |
| Live filter parameters | The same live filter layer settings | Sharing uniform blurs on multiple background composited images |
| Vector shape parameters | The shapes' appearances can be morphed | Rounded rectangles could update simultaneously if the corner roundness is to change |
| Vector fill | A solid or gradient fill | Consistent colour-to-transparency 'tail-off' radial and linear gradients applied to composited images. |
| Vector line style | The stroke width, colour and style | Dotted lines on a travel map could change their dot pattern simultaneously. |
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.
To hide/show linked attributes:
To unlink linked layer attributes:
To relink linked layer attributes: