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I want a fast way to drag an image file to Photoshop and have its content pasted in a new layer in already opened document. What I do now is opening the image (with dragging) and copying layer to another opened document. Isn't there a faster way? Similar to Illustrator.

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Ctrl+Shift+Alt+N (new layer), Ctrl+V (paste)? –  Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007 Aug 25 '11 at 20:45
I can copy (Ctrl+A, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+W) a layer from newly opened image (jpg or png) and then paste it directly with Ctrl+V in the desired document. Seems quick, it is, but it could be in one drag & drop. I want to be sure there is no such functionality (or similar), or if there is in CS5. –  Miha Aug 25 '11 at 20:54

1 Answer 1

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Create a layer from an existing file

  1. Drag the file icon from Windows or Mac OS onto an open image in Photoshop.
  2. Move, scale, or rotate the imported image. (See Place a file in Photoshop.)
  3. Press Enter or Return.

By default, Photoshop creates a Smart Object layer.

To create standard layers from dragged files, deselect Place Or Drag Raster Images As Smart Objects in the General preferences.

If the placed file is a multilayer image, a flattened version appears on the new layer. To instead copy separate layers, see Duplicate a layer or group between images.


Note: This was tested in CS5 I am unsure if it works in CS4

Another option would be to use Bridge. Select multiple files then go Tools > Photoshop > Load File Into Photoshop Layers

Hope this helps.

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It doesn't work in CS4 but I know now it works in CS5. –  Miha Sep 4 '11 at 9:33

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