How To Reverse Layer Order In Photoshop

How to flip a layer in Photoshop: A complete guide

A picture of a bird, flipped in Photoshop

Seeing double? This image has been flipped and blended with the original (Image credit: Futurity)

This tutorial will teach you how to flip a layer in Photoshop, and and then blend the results with the original. Information technology isn't the most common request, but being able to flip an image is a basic Photoshop skill. If you lot've ever had to flip a portrait in editorial to face into the page, or mirror an image to create a mandala pattern, you'll sympathise why it should be in every designer's toolkit. Simply equally with most Adobe software, even the simplest of effects can take many dissimilar approaches.

These are the bones Photoshop techniques for flipping an paradigm, and how to blend it with the original. To refine your skills even further, you could check out our roundup of Photoshop tutorials (opens in new tab), or heave your toolkit with some Photoshop plugins (opens in new tab) or free Photoshop brushes (opens in new tab).

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01. Make the large flip

If you simply want to flip an unabridged image, without whatsoever differentiation between layers, get to Paradigm > Image Rotation > Flip Canvas. You will find options to flip the canvas horizontally or vertically, performing the same activeness consistently across all layers. But if you prefer to control each layer separately so read on…

02. Unlock layer

If you have just opened an image in Photoshop, so information technology'southward likely your layer will be locked. This means that it is protected and cannot be edited. To make whatsoever changes to this layer yous must outset unlock it, either by clicking on the small padlock icon to the right of the layer or double-clicking on the layer to ascertain it every bit a New Layer.

03. How to flip a layer in Photoshop

The about direct method to flip a layer is located in Edit > Transform. This drop downward gives plenty of options for transforming your paradigm, simply we are only interested in the bottom 2 – flip horizontal and flip vertical. Each of these will flip only the layer you take selected, in whichever direction y'all cull. Information technology is worth noting that this function works on all types of layer, not but raster images.

04. Utilize the Gratis Transform tool

If you desire more control over the procedure, you lot can use the Gratis Transform tool to resize the layer. Select the tool under Edit > Free Transform or use the shortcut Cmd + T. Yous can either elevate the edges across by eye or type -100 into the width box in the summit menu bar.

05. Check the results

Quite often people volition flip an epitome without giving information technology a 2nd thought. But at that place are often noticeable artifacts of the transformation, which immediately give the game away to any hawkeye-eyed viewers. Most obvious of these is text, which volition requite you a mirrored version, much like Da Vinci's code. Other errors to look out for are graphics, icons and distinctive marks, such as freckles or tattoos on a person. If you're really committed to going ahead with a flip, then you lot could use the clone tool to remedy this or select the area with Lasso and flip it back.

06. Blend the image

Some images lend themselves to a mirror effect, effectively blending the flipped image with the original. To attain this you must first duplicate the image layer and flip it. Add a layer mask to the meridian layer and paint black onto information technology with a soft-edged brush to remove the parts of the epitome that should be composite. Information technology is easier when the image has a cake colour or repeating patterns. Sometimes the Pen tool tin be useful for more than refined selections.

Read more:

How to add fonts in Photoshop (opens in new tab)
The 6 all-time laptops for Photoshop in 2020 (opens in new tab)
All the best free Photoshop brushes (opens in new tab)

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Matt has worked for various publishing houses and design agencies, covering studio photography, video production, editorial blueprint, branding, illustration and motion graphics. He currently works for Future PLC with brands such as T3, Adult female&Abode, Marie Claire, Music Calendar week, TechRadar, Golden Joysticks, Cycling Weekly, Brand Affect Awards, Horse&Hound and Tech&Learning. In the past he has designed titles including Mac|Life, IQ, Bow International, Drummer, iDrum, Audio-visual, Clay Shooting, Sea Angling and GunTradeNews. He has experience beyond the full Adobe Suite and is currently spending a lot of time creating projects in Blender and Later Effects.