🎨 Multiple Designs in One File
Save 10 versions of same design? 10 PSD files? Chaos. Layer Comps save visibility, position, effects in snapshots. One file, infinite variations.
What Are Layer Comps?
Think of them as snapshots of your layers panel. Save current state, make changes, save another state. Switch between them instantly.
🎯 What Layer Comps Save
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Visibility | Which layers are on/off |
| Position | Layer placement (x, y coordinates) |
| Layer Styles | Effects (drop shadow, stroke, etc.) |
| Smart Object State | Child document visibility |
Create Layer Comp
1. Window → Layer Comps (open panel) 2. Arrange layers how you want 3. Click "Create New Layer Comp" icon (page+ icon) 4. Name it: "Version 1 - Blue Header" 5. Check what to save: ✓ Visibility ✓ Position ✓ Appearance (Layer Style) 6. Click OK Now change design, create another comp: "Version 2 - Red Header"
Real-World Example: Client Presentations
📱 Website Header Variations
Layer Comps created: 1. "Light Theme" → White background, dark text 2. "Dark Theme" → Black background, white text 3. "Logo Left" → Logo on left side 4. "Logo Center" → Logo centered 5. "With Tagline" → Tagline visible 6. "No Tagline" → Tagline hidden Client meeting: - Click through comps live - "I prefer dark theme with centered logo" - Apply that comp → Export - No manual layer toggling!
Export Multiple Versions
File → Scripts → Layer Comps to Files Options: - Destination folder - File type (PNG, JPG, PDF) - File name prefix Result: ✓ header-light-theme.png ✓ header-dark-theme.png ✓ header-logo-left.png ✓ header-logo-center.png Exports all comps automatically!
✅ Use Cases
- A/B testing: Different button colors, CTA positions
- Client presentations: Show options without opening multiple files
- Responsive design: Desktop, tablet, mobile layouts
- Before/after: Original vs. edited comparisons
- Seasonal variations: Holiday themes in one file
💡 Pro Tips
- Name descriptively: “Blue CTA Button” not “Comp 1”
- Use comments: Add notes to each comp
- Update comps: Right-click → Update Layer Comp after changes
- Export to PDF: Create multi-page PDF presentation
- Keyboard navigation: Next/Previous comp buttons in panel
🎯 Cheat Sheet
| Action | How To |
|---|---|
| Open panel | Window → Layer Comps |
| Create comp | Click page+ icon |
| Apply comp | Click comp name |
| Update comp | Right-click → Update |
| Export all | File → Scripts → Layer Comps to Files |
“Client wanted to see 8 color variations of same banner. Created 8 layer comps. Client presentation: clicked through live, picked favorite in 5 minutes. Exported final version. No more duplicate PSD files cluttering drives.”