How to Use Auto Align Layers in Photoshop for Perfect Layer Alignment

How to Use Auto Align Layers in Photoshop for Perfect Layer Alignment

When working with multiple layers that need perfect alignment, manual positioning often falls short. Slight camera movement, different crops, or rotated images can make precise alignment seem impossible through visual adjustment alone.

Auto Align Layers automatically handles rotation, scaling, and positioning to create perfect layer alignment, even when images have different dimensions or orientations.

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Video by Glyn Dewis. Any links or downloads mentioned by the creator are available only on YouTube

Practical Tips

These techniques will help you achieve perfect layer alignment every time:

  • Select both layers in the Layers panel before accessing Edit > Auto Align Layers
  • Use Difference blend mode to verify alignment - black areas indicate identical pixels
  • Leave Auto Align settings on "Auto" for best results in most situations
  • Lower the top layer's opacity temporarily when manually aligning with the Move tool
  • Apply a black layer mask with Alt/Option + click to hide layers before selective brushing

Explore more layer alignment and positioning techniques:

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