How do you duplicate a copy in Photoshop?

To duplicate a layer in Photoshop, you can use the "Duplicate Layer" feature. Here's how to do it:

Steps to Duplicate a Layer

1. Select the layer(s): In the Layers panel, click to select the layer or layers you wish to duplicate.
2. Access the Duplicate Layer option: You can do this in one of two ways:
   • Using the Layer Menu:
     • Go to the "Layer" menu at the top of the screen.
     • Choose "Duplicate Layer".
   • Using the Layers Panel Menu:
     • Click on the "More" menu icon (it looks like three horizontal lines) in the Layers panel.
     • Select "Duplicate Layer" from the menu.
3. Name the duplicate layer (Optional): A dialog box will appear. You can:
   • Change the name of the new, duplicated layer in the provided text field.
   • If you don't enter a new name, Photoshop will append 'copy' to the original layer name.
4. Click OK: After naming the new layer or accepting the default name, click "OK".

Your layer will be duplicated above the original layer in the Layers panel.

Table Summary of Duplication Methods

Method	Steps
Layer Menu Duplicate Layer	Select layer(s) > Layer Menu > Duplicate Layer > Name Layer > OK
Layers Panel Menu Duplicate Layer	Select layer(s) > Layers Panel More Menu > Duplicate Layer > Name Layer > OK

Practical Tips

• Renaming: Always consider giving descriptive names to your layers, especially when creating duplicates, to keep your project organized.
• Multiple Duplicates: You can repeat these steps to create multiple duplicates of the same layer.
• Keyboard Shortcut: While the provided reference doesn't mention it, another common way to duplicate a layer is by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+J (Windows) or Cmd+J (Mac). This shortcut duplicates the selected layer directly, without displaying the dialog box for renaming.