Smart NEW Layers Feature in Photoshop!

Make auto-selecting, managing, and identifying Layers so much easier with this brand-new update to Photoshop Beta! With "Layer Hover Bounds," learn how hovering over the canvas highlights all the different layers, and hovering over the Layers panel highlights the corresponding layer on the canvas. In this lesson, we will test how it reacts to masking, layer groups, and learn to customize the feature. We will also discuss the limitations and see if this new add-on to the Move Tool really makes a difference. I hope this video helps you. Thank you so much for watching :)
► TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 The Problem
00:43 How to Get the Feature
00:58 How It Works
02:08 Enabling and Disabling
02:23 Hover Bounds from Layers
02:49 Expanding Layer Groups
03:52 How It Works With Layer Masks
04:32 Customizing Layer Bounds
05:26 Highlighting Layer Groups
05:57 The Problem With This Feature
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[@powerlocke5544]

I would highly recommend 3 Options! : 1. add a settigng for a "Mouse wheel-scrolling" option while the highlighting happens (if layers are stacked onto each other) this would be the most practical in my view. 2. add an Adjustable option for preventing locked layers to even be considered in first place. 3. add a second (different from the usual) "lock symbol", maybe call it "highlight-ignoring" at each layer to ignore a specific layer from being highlighted but without actually locking the layer as the usual lock function. But you should be able to customly adjust the behaviour or turn the "alternative lock symbol" mentioned in 3. on an off (appear an dissapear) in the layers-Bar

[@davidcastaneda6111]

What do you mean? all layers stack onto each other, there's no "if"

[@JANjeweetzali]

It's actually crazy that it took over 30 years for this to be implemented. One would think this would be one of the first things to get attention.

[@hrinn]

those are my first thoughts as well... i guess it's better to be grateful than having it not come out at all though 😭

[@JustARandomFio]

I chose Corel over Adobe in the mid-90s exactly for such reasons, and the fact that you got the same (professional) bang for not even half the bucks. Chose to switch last year when I decided to get rid of the 10-yo version I still used, also thanks to the affordable PS-only photography plan (not available @ Corel), and I must say, I'm still struggling to adapt to Adobe's non-intuitive workflow, not limited to its awful object (layer) handling.

[@veggiet2009]

Photoshop has always been weird in the way it chooses to update some things but not others, often choosing to increase functions but not update already existing features, while letting some features wither and die altogether (like gif saving and super large image saving which have been on the verge of dying for a long time)

[@andrepratama5199]

Ohhh I still remember in early photoshop with feather logo, you can't even edit by selecting object from canvas, you have to go through layers to select the object. Pain in the ass.

[@homecactus]

ESPECIALLY since illustrator has had it for as long as I can remember using it

[@highlandexplorer990]

This new tool looks SO useful!! 🙌 I'm always accidentally selecting the wrong layer, so the hover effect is an absolute game-changer. Definitely going to install the beta version and try this out. Thanks for the clear and helpful tutorial! 👍

[@AlkuntarGaming]

This is so helpful. Thanks for letting us know!

[@Shinnified]

Your channel is great, man. You are really good at this. I enjoy your stuff.

[@chaerazard]

Very nice, I can't wait to try this new feature, thank you!

[@thereviewbrox9989]

Thanks for the update. 6:31 We can lock the top layer (Command+/ on a Mac or Ctrl+/ on Windows) to select the layers

[@eldonmati]

First beta feature I actually see working for me!

[@MrRimshotgraphix]

as always, thank you for your awesome stuff; i think a cool feature would be for a setting to ignore adjustments layers. the biggest headache for me is that often i cannot select a layer with the autoselect is because i have a full file adjustment layer--so it selects it instead.

[@ZombieRPGee]

Solid video - and super well made

[@matinkabiri]

I recommend using controll or tab to cycle between the items that are visible; if there is an opec layer above it, it will do nothing by default, but you may change that in the settings.

[@johntnguyen1976]

Hella useful!

[@galib1992ict]

In Affnity, you can hold the alt key and click to any object to select the object below. Click again and it will select the next one. Very convenient.

[@TheLondonForever00]

We've only needed this since the very first edition. Only took them since the 90s. I'm sure they'll have the solid fill colour issue sorted as it's only Beta. The auto select should be able to grab it though.

[@alikhan-xs5wc]

Your each and every tutorial is awesome.. thanks for teaching us.

[@AndyPua_My]

To select the below layer of the top layer. Maybe can click alt+select Click 2 time for deeper layer Click 3 and more for below of the above layer

[@34286244]

Just like Illustrator .. Love it🥰

[@keithsimpson8676]

Very useful video

[@deepaksahota]

"you did exceptionally well!,,

[@JohnRichardsonAuthor]

This is a feature that makes Canva so easy to use. Nice to see PS implement it.

[@sobansheikh666]

Thanks

[@blackmamba3984]

I liked your hair style 😍

[@peteraylward443]

What about other adjustment layers? Maybe holding alt should activate autoselect on only adjustment layers. Totally diffect subject but I also wish they'd introduce copy merge all below selected layer (with shortcut). Among other things...

[@educationalgametime]

Dear Sir i am one of your fan, and i am learning adobe photoshop through your toturial. further want to learn adobe premiere pro so please make videos on that or suggest good youtuber like you.

[@polystormstudio]

I always have auto-select enabled, I can't live without it. My way around accidentally moving unwanted layers I would click once and keep an eye on the layers panel to make sure I got it right and then drag it. But this new feature is great, just click-and-drag! Thanks for your continued quality content!

[@DesignBine]

Very helful

[@Rhythm_Academy]

I like it. It's this publicaclly available now ?

[@outdoormarketinggroup2945]

For a large foreground object they could just implement a depth map so as the mouse runs over the image it would favor depth first

[@ozora.926]

To the question at the end: hold CTRL or CMD so you can hover through objects and see the outlines of lower objects, then each click (to select) would cycle downwards through the objects on the z-stack. Cheers! 🥂

[@CalTek]

OMG....yes please and thank you. Love that Photoshop is continuing to improve.

[@user-on9wx9nr5i]

(edited) if at 5:55 this is the only problem with transparency, at first it needs quickly and well identify transparency in an image (and in the images that are under this image). For example, Photoshop has a tool, that can show the transparency of a part of an image, regardless of whether it is editing transparency or not (“Windows - info - pannel options - second color readout - mode - (choose) opacity”). It is necessary that the places in the image that are transparent are ignored (maybe with a setting from 95-85%) when the user hovers over them with the mouse. Photoshop engineers have probably thought of and done everything a long time ago. They probably ask about it for no reason

[@maxbiho]

great!

[@Ryanphotos1]

Does anyone know if he has a video on exporting to instagram? Everyone does video's claiming the best settings but i want to hear it from the goat 🙏🏻💯

[@shekharkaangne]

6:31 We can use the ALT key to highlight the back layers this can be easy and workable I think

[@kaushal8589]

This has been in Illustrator for a long time. Good to see it in Photoshop as well. Thanks for the update Unmesh!

[@j.u.c.o]

Really?? How do I do this in illustrator?

[@kaushal8589]

Selection tool highlights the object on hover by default. I have never had to change any setting to enable it. It is default.

[@JefHarrisnation]

Such a small fix/feature makes a huge difference in workflow efficiency.

[@buzzclikverifyme]

Thanks so much for solving this post-update mystery for me! I thought I'd accidentally hit some hotkey. 😄

[@Xanderall]

It's almost scary how much Unmesh knows about Photoshop!! I've learned so much over the years with his videos!!

[@CalTek]

Appreciate his knowledge and that he shares it with others. Learned a lot from him

[@jcksprr0w474]

This channel is truly Bob Ross of Photoshop. I've learnt a to z from this channel. Thank you Mr.PiXimperfect. You are amazing. Now I'm going new journey, Adobe Illustrator. Does anyone know Bob Ross of Illustrator?

[@user-pr5ll6jp1b]

No offense, but Bob Ross is considered a joke amongst professional artists and illustrators. He's more the equivalent of making the same bird house out of pop-sickle sticks over and over. This channel is clearly not that. Plus, Bob Ross didn't even invent that technique, an old Germanic guy named Bill Alexander did...

[@giriphotostudio4493]

6:32 , like a transform tool.... minor diagonal lines

[@rabiawahid8571]

Thanks Unmesh...Plz also make a video on how to bypass whatsapp image compression while uploading profile picture.. Keep up the good work❤‍🔥

[@mdalamgirislam5458]

Hey dear mentor❤ Advance congratulations for 5M subscribers🎉

[@Frolmaster]

What happens if the top layer is locked? Could you select the layers under it?

[@jennhoff03]

I feel so seen right now! So many of my projects have a layer on top with low opacity. I have always wished you could select a couple of layers to be exempt from auto-select. I would pick the background and top layer to be exempt, and it would make my life sooooo much easier!

[@lowemasterpro]

You could always lock the layer.

[@lowemasterpro]

Also, ctrl+click brings up a list of layers under your cursor so that you can select a layer other than the one at the top.

[@1zidajner]

@@lowemasterpro Even better, you can Opt + Command + Right Click on the layer you want to select (on canvas) without bringing up menu with layer list. Basically you "turn on" with that shortcut temporarily /Select: Active Layer/ from the control bar. I've being using this for a very very long time and its the best way to quickly select layers IMO.

[@jennhoff03]

@@lowemasterproOh my gosh!!!!! You are BRILLIANT!!! I didn't realize locking it would save it from auto-selection! I'm so happy I'm legit getting a little choked up! Thank you!!!

[@lowemasterpro]

@@jennhoff03Glad to help :)

[@molandemil]

This is a hugely welcome update. No more CTRL + T to check the boundaries!

[@TXanders]

Currently, you can select `Show Transform controls` which is a good step in this direction.

[@afgh1408]

man, even the comments in here have good tips

[@TXanders]

@@afgh1408 Makes for a nice experience doesn't it? :)

[@Zwebbbel]

Solution to problem: Have a checkbox next to each layer on the right. When it's unchecked it is not affected by the auto-selecting. When it's unchecked the mouse never selects it when hovering over it.

[@lschiz-photography1765]

Always, ALWYAS enjoy and appreciate your instruction and help!! Excellent thank you!!

[@visual_chris]

Finally

[@J.Squared.]

This is something which was there in Illustrator.

[@Enomyx]

The problem you mentioned at the end could be solved like in Adobe Illustrator, to press cmd or option (not sure which one it was), so you select the layer below the one you're hovering on.

[@thenextpage910]

Can Adobe hire this man as software tester? Just to make sure, we have the best product and features that are very relatable to users.

[@machpe]

Every update brings Photoshop closer feature-wise to its superior cousin, Illustrator. ;)

[@user-lg4ch6nd5f]

[@oriaz07]

Decades goes. Such a slow software. Failed to handle typography. If a layer is locked under groups🥺🥺🥺

[@radarswing]

What would you like to see improved for Typography?

[@torowazup1]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👌🏼😎

[@kevinsastrophotography]

I make parallax animations with hundreds of layers, mostly transparent. My idea would be to look for images under the top one in which the color value at the cursor position differs from the top color value. Transparent parts wouldn't be detected, but the layer would be highlighted when you hover a colored part.

[@maclad7763]

This is almost same as we have in AE. The problem as showed at the end of the video is been in AE for years now. One work around can be, Cursor can ignore the opacity when a special button is pressed like for eg. Ctrl + Shift.

[@FR-mq2xc]

Thank you 🙏

[@GX-105D]

this happens to me all the time, not holding the layer, but acts like the mouse is stuck on the layer and moves the image

[@CG_School]

I would recommend to add another option so that the hover over could be turned on and off for selecting underneath layers.

[@Endy1730]

The Pineapple logo. That is a good one) An hierarchical selection would do it with the auto-select groups / layers many times per session switching problem and with fill / adjustments layers also. One click: you select top layer / group level, next click you select next layer lower layer around the cursor/ a nested group or a group member, if there aren't any nested ones. And so on and so forth

[@gfxtips3052]

at the end, you mention that top layer, so we should lock the top layer, and then we can hover over

[@Lao_lu]

I havn't tried, but If you lock the semitransparent fill layer, you should be able to select the objects underneath it. right?

[@Weirtoe]

Could they use alt and hover for back layers?

[@Tdog500]

Thanks for all your hard work.

[@portnaluinge]

I feel like this deserves a 'finally'. Something like this should've really shipped with the auto-select feature, but at least now we have it they've achieved a really polished version.

[@jimcarmellini8294]

So simple...yet so useful! Thanks for the share...love your content and presentation!

[@blackvx]

Yes, thanks 👍👍

[@infosureuneed1479]

great job

[@massimobaita7178]

Thank You very much!

[@williamreliford_vfx_artist]

Thanks for the video.

[@ficardo22]

I recommend to use right click on top of the layer you want to select. A small window will appear with all the layers that are present at that point, even groups. So even if another layer is covering everything you can still select the background layer. Is important to identify the elements with the labels, so, if is a big project naming is key. If you are only moving and framing all the layers at the same time, auto-selecting + blocking the top layers that cover everything is the best way for me. Thank you Unmesh for explaining all the tools to enjoy more creating . 🖌💻

[@bradpattinian4875]

I do like the last point you make about a layer that takes up the whole layout still being a problem. My solve for that is to lock those layers but it's annoying to have to unlock and relock. It would be nice to have a way to be able to make a layer ignore auto select without locking it. Maybe more similar to Lock transparent pixels.

[@Jessica-ls7kv]

That will be so helpful. Especially in large files to find that one layer you want to fix can be a pain so this'll be amazing. But not only adjustment layers but for example added layers for grunge and such that will take up the whole canvas will make this hard (as shown in the last bit). I think some programs like for example affinity designer, allow pressing a button (alt or control) to select *through* other layers. basically with each click going back a layer but maybe there is a way to do something like that? Unless that is already implemented and I never found it in Photoshop.

[@dec0r8or]

Thanks Unmesh! This was very helpful! I love your tutorials so much!

[@johnpage-tb6re]

This channel is absolutely great for those who can afford the software and have a good enough computer to cope but I need a channel as well produced as this to help with Photoshop Elements.

[@mdmiadulislam-]

Love this Feature!

[@techetales]

pineapple logo 😂

[@chensoraptls]

thank you for this info

[@Mo7amedYosry]

6:32 Just like Autocad from Autodesk .. keep hovering and press TAP to switch between overlapping layers 😅

[@GachaRobin]

This is game changing for me!

[@erwinmeisel2545]

This is one of the most useful features in years.

[@benjaminleavitt3666]

Maybe have a shortcut where holding down alt and clicking deselects the top layer and toggles to the next layer item in the stack that’s under your cursor.

[@alirax4058]

Thanks very much

[@DaleSteadman]

This is a welcome feature long overdue.

[@snowleopard62]

I think this is a helpful tool that will be useful in certain situations. If you label all of your layers then I don't think it's necessary, but if you receive a file from another designer to work on this could really help you to make changes more quickly and easily than going through manually trying to figure out what layer is what.

[@drewcama2488]

To figure what layer is what you just turn them off and on, but You make a good point things can be very complicated when sharing a file between designers and graphic artists.

[@brooke510]

Fantastic feature. This is one of my main gripes with Photoshop, and why I've stuck by Fireworks (if you can believe that) for all these years for website design. I just don't know how people use Photoshop for websites when it's so hard to interact quickly with layers as objects. This is a game-changer (though I still won't use Photoshop for website layouts).

[@pedrorochapedro]

Photoshop isn't made for webui designs though. I'd say XD, Figma or even Illustrator are better options.

[@olivierwalter5044]

Merci pour votre enthousiasme, votre énergie communicative et la générosité qui l'accompagne. On apprend beaucoup à votre écoute.

[@oo0Spyder0oo]

That seems odd that this is only being implemented now. Using affinity you hold alt and just click down through each layer hiding behind another one, very useful.

[@Nikxill]

the crazy pickups for video's ending songs i always like✨

[@donnacarroll2189]

Wow - I need this. For those that do digital scrapbooking this is a feature that will be so valuable!!

[@Oldyellowbrick]

For 2 mins I genuinely thought you were saying ‘layer bounce’ and thought surely it doesn’t literally bounce? Penny dropped actually seeing the layer ‘bounds’ 😂 Great new feature, will look forward to this!

[@BigBarel]

5:36 off topic question... BUT I promise I will give you an answer as well😁 I always use Auto-Select and sometimes it's changes to Group instead of Layer. I am probably triggering a shortcut. so my question is if anyone knows what is the shortcut to change Auto-Select from Layer to Group and ‏vice versa? and to your question! If it's an adjustment layer or a vignette for example I am usually locking the layer by pressing "Cmd+?", also for background layers and such...

[@radarswing]

You can use the period key to toggle between Layer and Group auto-select behavior!

[@BigBarel]

@@radarswing Oh thank you so much!!!

[@MarkReategui]

6:32 lock any layers you don't want to select. Come's in handy when designing fliers with distress layers. I always hated that when you click and drag with the Option/Alt key to duplicate a layer, it selects the layer above whether it's locked or not. Hopefully they fix that soon.

[@carlosread5887]

Very convenient this new feature! They should have implemented that long time ago, but, very welcom it is!

[@peecyan]

This is what I needed! For someone who always group things this is gem!

[@AndrewEder]

Right-clicking with the move tool is typically how I would select a deeper layer (if not using the Layers panel). I would really like to see this hover bounds work with that right-click menu.

[@micbab-vg2mu]

nice:)

[@PsCat_]

What programme do you edit the video in?

[@keyword1002]

Please what computer RAM size is best for using Photoshop

[@williamsells4107]

like 7

[@keyword1002]

@@williamsells4107 ok thanks mine is 4gb