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Jun 10

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.

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

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)

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 :smiley:

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

@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 :sweat_02:

@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?

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

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

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

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 :cry_01:

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

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

@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 :sweat_02:

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

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.

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 :slight_smile:

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!

@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.

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 :sob: Thank you though :heart: I never realized it looked like embroidery but you’re totally right, the scratchiness of the backgrounds is def giving that vibe

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.)

17 days later

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