What's the most amount of layers you've ever used in a single file?

[NickRowler]

If animation counts... I used to make animations in Flash but the export function to video files wasn't the best. So I would export all the frames as images and do a batch import to Photoshop. There is an option to convert layers to frames in the Animation window. Usually those had hundreds of layers.

There is also a function in Photoshop to import a video as frames. This could also result in a lot of layers depending on how long the video is.

[ThunderChicken]

I couldn’t count how many layers I use, because I will create a new layer to make a small change, then if I like the change I merge it into another layer

[TheSingularitySeed]

@NickRowler

I've basically been doing this in Photoshop.
Idk if it's the best program for this kind of thing, but it works

@ThunderChicken

This is what I do except I never merge.
I'm starting to see my problem now lol

[BlairFujin]

the latest pic I still have clip file for has... around 100 layers - I like to keep base colours for different objects separate in case I want to adjust it at some point or shade it differently (easier to just select whole layer than play with magic wand tool and hope for the best)

[igneriss]

For me it was about 100 layers, but everything was lagging and my laptop went into a rocket mode so I had to merge the layers to continue working

[skidiggy]

Oof, just checked a "master file" for one of my pieces and clicked "New Layer."
... "Layer 1039."
*goes to Photoshop jail *

[TheSingularitySeed]

@BlairFujin
Me too! Easy adjustments are a big reason why I keep so many layers.
But then the problem is sometimes I don't make any adjustments

@igneriss
Lol what inspired this thread was my computer lagging like that

@skidiggy
Yeeeessss a worthy cellmate for Photoshop jail!
Was it also an animation or a normal drawing?

[skidiggy]

Regular drawing. I've been given a life sentence for abusing Photoshop layers.

[TheSingularitySeed]

I kinda want to see this monster now.

My biggest single illustration had around 500 but I can't remember which.
I just remember my shock at the number lolol

[Ayumi]

And I thought I use a lot layers... I think my max was around 40-50.

[TheSingularitySeed]

Just never delete anything lol it'll add up faaaast

I deleted the wrong layer once many years ago and I've never had good layer control since

[Ayumi]

I can understand that. But how do you find the right layer, when you need some changes on it?

[morganicfoods]

I draw on a potato, so i can only do max 14 layers before my program's lag becomes unbearable Xd

For Light Rising I do:
1. Sketch
2. Background lines
3. Lines
4. Colour
5. Shading 1
6. Shading 2
7. Background Colouring 1
8. Backgrounds Colouring 2
9. Text
10. Bubble Lines
11. Bubble colour
12. Panel Seperation
13. Watermarks

For my Tapas contest entry:
1. Sketch
2. Lines
3. Background lines
4. Colours, Shading, Background colours all on one layer
5. Text
6. Watermarks

I also have deleted storyboard and posing layers for both

[TheSingularitySeed]

@Ayumi
I draw my layers in a pretty consistent order, so I roughly know where everything is.
But also wiggling the layer with the move tool

@morganicfoods
That's a reasonable set up
I usually end up deleting boards too but it always a little sad

[Shanny8]

Right now I think the most I've used is like 17 layers...It's probably more, but like others have said I'll often use layers to do a thing and then I'll merge some layers- especially if they are have the same effect & opacity.

[beebutterbee]

Wow 1000 layers! Honestly, it’s sort of impressive, I would loose track of what I was doing so I feel like it takes some patience and serious organizing skills. I don’t think having less or more layers is bad or good, everyone def just works in their different method but it’s cool to see all the variation everyone has

I think I range around 7-10 layers for my more normal art? This specific one has ten, but that’s on the most side, I usually use less layers.

But then for my webcomic I actually only have one layer because the program is MSpaint and it has no layer functionality. So it’s a bit like painting traditional, it’s actually helped me learn gouache better oddly enough!

[TheSingularitySeed]

@Shanny8
Merging seems to be a good way to deal with this many layers

@beebutterbee
MSPaint?!!!! As a layer hoarder, I can't imagine lol
That page almost looks like embroidery. It has a nice texture.

[beebutterbee]

Yeah my comic is all mspaint! But I wasn’t good at it first, it was also hard for me because I was used to more layers for digital. Definitely a skill I had to teach myself Thank you though I never realized it looked like embroidery but you’re totally right, the scratchiness of the backgrounds is def giving that vibe

[gabriellabalagna]

Maybe like 50 on this poster for my comic. Not because of the art. But because I made a square version, tall version, mobile version, etc. all in one file. (Like different text and crops.)

[TheSingularitySeed]

Wow! And that was only 50 layers?
That sounds pretty efficient. My cover has only two characters and it's like three times that.