how to delete a layer in procreate

Are you still having trouble with layers in Procreate? You're not the only one. Even though Procreate is fairly easy to use, there are still many features you need to learn for yourself. You can learn by trial and error, or you can start here and learn these basic layer tricks in Procreate.

1. How to Create a New Layer in Procreate

This is as basic as it gets, but if you don't even know where to start, it's time to create your first layer.

Create a new canvas, or open one that you want to use.
Tap the Layers menu. It's the two squares on top of each other on the top-right corner of your screen.
Tap on theplus (+) icon on the top-right corner of the Layers menu.
That's it! You've created a new layer.

Note: If you can't see the menu at the top of your canvas, you're using Procreate in fullscreen mode. To exit it, tap your screen with four fingers.

2. Move a Layer Above or Below Another Layer

Remember that your canvas will show what's on the top layer first, overlapping any other drawing the layers below have. So, if you want to show something from a layer below, you might need to move it. Here's what you need to do:

On your canvas, open the Layers menu on the top-right corner (the two squares on top of each other).
Press and hold the layer you want to move.
Drag your layer up or down to place it above or below other layers.

3. Move a Layer to Another Canvas

This is one of the coolest Procreate tricks you can do. You can move a layer from one canvas onto another. It's easy to do too, but you'll need to use both hands for this.

Open the Layers menu.
Press and hold the layer you want to move.
Drag the layer out of the Layers menu.
TapGallery on the top-left corner of your canvas (while still holding the layer).
Select the canvas where you want to move your layer to. You can also open a new one.
Drop the layer on the new Layers menu.

What's cool about this is that if you drop your layer in the library, it'll automatically create a new canvas with that layer. You can also move more than one layer by selecting multiple layers at once. But more on that in a second.

4. Select Two or More Layers

If you want to group or move a lot of layers simultaneously, you're better off selecting all of them instead of doing it individually. Here's how:

Open the Layers menu.
Swipe the layers you want to select to the right.

Every layer you choose will be highlighted. You'll then be able to move them around or group them together like we're about to show you.

5. How to Create a New Group of Layers

If you're thinking about using many different layers in one canvas, you should try to create various groups of layers. Granted, this isn't necessary, but it does help to keep your work organized. Plus, it's easier to find specific layers.

Open the Layers menu.
Swipe right on top of the layers you want to group to select them.
Tap onGroup.

Now it's like your layers are part of another folder.

Pro tip: You can change the group's name by tapping it and then selecting Rename.

6. How to Duplicate a Layer

If you want to try something new on a layer, but don't want to mess up any of your work, you can always work on a duplicate layer.

Open the Layers menu.
Slide to the left on the layer you want to duplicate.
Tap onDuplicate.

7. How to Delete a Layer

If you don't like what a layer looks like, you can just delete it and forget about it. Here's how.

On your canvas, open the Layers menu.
Slide the layer you want to delete to the left.
Tap onDelete.
Confirm that you want toDelete the layer.

If you don't want to delete your layer, you can always hide it from your canvas. It's a simple trick, but here's what you need to do.

Open the Layers menu.
Tap on thecheckmark that's to the right of the layer you want to hide.

And it's done! If you want to see that layer on your canvas again, just repeat these steps.

9. How to Use the Clipping Mask in Procreate

The Clipping Mask is a neat feature that lets you clip a layer to another layer below it. For example, you could use the Clipping Mask to color your drawing or add details without going over the lines.

Open the Layers menu.
If you need to, create a new layer, or make sure the layer is above the drawing you want to clip it to.
Tap the layer you want to clip.
You'll see a small menu pop up to the left of the layer. Tap Clipping Mask.

You'll know you did it because the layer above will have a small arrow pointing to the layer below.

10. How to Use Alpha Lock in Procreate

Like the Clipping Mask, Alpha Lock lets you lock a layer so you can't go over the lines of your layer. But instead of using a different layer, you're Alpha Locking and using the same layer with your drawing.

Open the Layers menu.
Tap the layer you want to lock.
On the small popup menu, tap onAlpha Lock.

11. How to Lock Your Layer

If you're done with a layer, it's good practice to lock it, so you don't accidentally ruin anything in it. Here's how you can do it:

On your canvas, open the Layers menu.
Slide the layer you want to lock to the left.
Tap onLock.

You can later repeat these steps to unlock it and use it if you want.

12. How to Change the Layer Opacity

If you want your layer and everything you drew on it to be more translucent, you can reduce the opacity of your layer from the Layers menu.

Open the Layers menu.
Tap on theletter that's next to your layer's name. It's usually a small letter N.
Adjust the opacity by dragging to the left or right side of the slider.

Want a quicker way to do it? Tap with two fingers on the layer you want to change and then slide your finger to the left or the right side on your canvas.

13. How to Merge Multiple Layers

You can merge multiple layers into one with a quick gesture. Here's what you need to do:

Open the Layers menu.
Make sure all the layers you want to merge are right below or above each other.
Place two fingers on the first and last layer you want to merge.
Pinch both fingers together.

And voilà! You now have one layer. If you don't like it anymore, you can tap with two fingers on your canvas to undo it.

It's Your Turn to Get Creative

Now it's your turn to play around with layers. There's a lot more to learn from Procreate, but if you're just starting out, focus on playing around with the settings and have fun. Once you're done with that, you can start learning more advanced techniques.

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