In this post, we will show you how to use Layers in Paint in Windows 11. Microsoft has introduced a couple of improvements in the Paint app as part of the Moment 4 feature update. This includes the addition of the Background Removal tool and a new Layers tool that allows you to stack multiple images, text, and graphics on top of each other, just like Adobe Photoshop or other image editing tools.
How to use Layers in Paint in Windows 11
To use Layers in Paint, you must install the new version of the app from the Microsoft Store. If you already have the app installed, you may receive the new features through an update.
Using Layers in Paint includes several things, such as adding, removing, and managing layers on the image canvas. To use layers in Paint, follow these steps:
Open the Windows 11 Paint app. You will see a Layers button in the top-right corner of the command bar. Click that button. A Layers panel will appear on the right side of the canvas, displaying the primary layer. You may now start drawing objects or adding text to this layer.
Add a Layer
To add a new layer, click the Create new layer (plus) icon on top of the Layers panel, or press Ctrl+Shift+N. The new layer will be added to the canvas, just above the primary layer.
You can add multiple layers to the canvas in the same way to create more complex designs in the Paint app for Windows 11. To work on a specific layer, select it in the Layers panel to bring it into focus and then start drawing on the layer.
Hide a Layer
To hide a layer, right-click on it in the Layers panel and select the Hide layer option. Alternatively, hover over the layer in the Layers panel and click the hide eye icon in the top-right corner. You can also press Ctrl+H to hide the active layer. Once you hide the active layer, you will not be able to draw anything on the canvas.
Duplicate Layer
The Duplicate Layer command adds a new layer to the image canvas which is an identical copy of the selected layer.
To duplicate a layer, right-click on it in the Layers panel and select ‘Duplicate layer‘ from the context menu.
Merge Layers
You can also merge a layer with another layer immediately below it in the layer stack to simplify the layer structure or reduce file size. When merging layers, the content on the top layer replaces any content it overlaps with on the lower layer.
To merge layers in the Paint app, right-click on the desired layer in the Layers panel and select Merge down.
Rearrange Layers
You can also rearrange layers on the drawing canvas by moving them up or down within the layers stack. Right-click on the desired layer in the Layers panel and select Move up from the context menu to move the layer one step up in the layers hierarchy. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+PageUp.
To move a layer one step down in the layer hierarchy, right-click on it in the Layers panel and select Move down. You can also use the Ctrl+Shift+PageDown key combination to move the layer down in the stack.
Delete a Layer
To delete a layer, right-click on it in the Layers panel and select the Delete layer option. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete. You cannot empty the stack by deleting all the layers. Once you reach the last layer, the option to delete it is grayed out.
Support for transparency
The update also includes support for transparency, which means, you can now open or save transparent PNGs in the Windows 11 Paint app. The support extends to the Layers feature and can be seen on the layer thumbnails as checkerboard patterns, indicating the areas that are transparent.
Unlike earlier, erasing any object from a layer now completely erases the area instead of painting it in white. This also means when you erase the content of one layer, you will actually see the content of the layer beneath it while working with multiple layers in the Windows 11 Paint app.
Change Canvas Color
You can also change the background color of the canvas, which is white by default. All the layers you add will stack upon the image canvas. When you change the color of the canvas, it becomes the background color of your image while working with multiple layers in Paint.
To change the color of the canvas, click the square at the bottom of the Layers panel and select the desired color from the palette that appears. You can choose basic colors or use the color picker tool to select custom colors while switching between their RGB or HSV values.
Once you finish working with Layers, you can save changes to the file by selecting the ‘Save as‘ option from the File menu.
This is how simple it is to use Layers in Paint in Windows 11. I hope you find this useful.
Read: MS Paint not working in Windows.
How do I stack two images in paint?
If you have Windows 10, you can open both images in two separate Paint app windows. Then copy the image from one window and paste it over the other image in another window to stack them in a single file. If you choose the Transparent selection option, you can make the background of the copied image transparent. If you have Windows 11, you can install the latest version of the Paint app from the Microsoft Store and use the Layers feature to easily stack two images together.
How to save layers in Windows Paint?
You can save individual layers in the Windows 11 Paint app as PNG files. Select the layer you want to save while hiding all other layers in the Layers panel. Then select File > Save as > PNG picture. Give a suitable name to the layer and save it in the desired location on your Windows PC. Repeat the same process to save the rest of the layers. To bring the layers back, open Paint, select the primary layer and select File > Import to canvas > From a file. Browse and select the saved layer. Then add more layers to the file and use the same steps to open the rest of the saved layers in Paint.
Read Next: How to overlay Pictures in Word.
