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If, like me, you regularly work with dozens of layers, this [2] Adobe Photoshop tip will save lots of time by allowing you to select multiple [3] Layers at the same time. Once you have selected your choice of layers, you can then quickly duplicate, delete or apply Filters and Commands to them.

([4] My completed gem encrusted Union Flag - 800+ Layers Gem Britannic - can be viewed here).

(This tip is suitable for Photoshop CS2, CS3 and CS4 (Extended) - and I am using Windows XP).

Open your work onto Photoshop’s workspace.

Then activate the Move Tool.

First, press and keep pressed your Keyboard’s Shift Key.  Now, let’s say for example, you wanted to highlight/activate just the blue gems’ layers, below.  You would highlight each respective layer in the Layers Palette by carefully left-clicking over each blue gem.

Note
You must ensure every gem (or object) is highlighted in the Layers Palette: if its not highlighted, it won’t move as a unit.

Zoom Tool Tip
If you Zoom into your work using the Zoom Tool you will find it easier to highlight intricate objects.  (Remember to reactivate the Move Tool after Zooming in).

Keep the Shift Key pressed: and simultaneously press and keep pressed the Keyboard’s Alt Key.  Now, whilst the Shift and Alt Keys are pressed; hover your cursor over the area you want to move (for example the blue gems), and your cursor icon will change to two Arrowheads - one will be White and the other will be Black.  Now, while the Shift and Alt Keys remain pressed; drag your cursor away from the area you are copying (for example, the blue gems).  All highlighted Layers (gems) will then behave as if they were one unit: that is to say, they will all move together - as illustrated below.

Important
After you have duplicated your layers, (for example, the gems), at this stage, don’t drag them to a different position, dragging them now will cause the unit to break up, and you will have to go back and highlight them again.

To move your highlighted objects as one unit; you can either nudge them into position using your Keyboard’s Arrow Keys.

Alternatively, from the top menu, choose Edit then choose Transform: then select a Transformation Tool from the subsequent drop-down list.

After they have been repositioned, click the following Commit Transformation Tick.  Alternatively, tap your Enter key.

Delete Objects Tip
Whilst their layers remain highlighted, objects can be deleted by tapping your Keyboards’ Delete Key.

Smart Filters Tip
After any transformation, it’s always a good idea to apply a Sharpening Filter.  To apply a filter to your selected unit, you must convert them to Smart Filters first.  To do so, from the top menu, choose Filter then choose Convert for Smart Filters.

Once your selected unit has been converted into Smart Filters, they will be merged into one layer.  This layer (the merged unit) can then be moved with the Move Tool in the usual manner.  You can then apply a Sharpening Filter of your choice.

Smart Objects Tips
As an alternative to Smart Filters, your selected group can be converted into Smart Objects.

Applying Filter or Commands to Smart Object and Smart Filters
To be able to apply any Command or Filter to Smart Filters or Smart Objects, they must be Rasterised first.  To Rasterise a Smart Object/Filter’s Layer, right-click the layer (in the Layers Palette), and choose Rasterise Layer from the subsequent drop-down list.

You can now apply one of the following Adjustments, or a Filter of your choice to the Rasterised Smart Object/Filter’s Layer.

If the duplication has missed out some of your work, (this can happen if all objects haven’t been highlighted): after your unit has been fully repositioned - you can quickly fill in the gaps by duplicating a single object by Alt/Clicking and dragging away from the object.

[5] My comprehensive on-line Photoshop Layers tutorial can be found here.

[6] Wendi E.M. Scarth. (22nd January 2010).

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