Pixel layer

A Pixel layer is a transparent canvas for paint and retouching. Paint, Clone, Heal, Blur, Blend, Erase, and related brush tools write replayable strokes to the same layer type.

Create and use

Click the split button at the left of the Finish toolbar while it shows the Pixel sheet (its arrow lists Pixel layer when it shows another kind), click Pixel layer in the empty stack's list, or choose Layer > New Finish Layer… > Pixel Layer. Select the row, choose a tool in the viewport toolbar, and paint. A document selection limits new strokes and that boundary remains part of the recorded stroke after deselection.

Clone and Heal require a source: Option (Alt on Windows)-click a clean source, then paint. Clone copies source pixels directly; Heal adapts their tone to the destination.

Pixel layers begin transparent. Their blend mode and opacity determine how painted content composites over lower layers. Use a mask to hide or reveal the layer nondestructively; use Erase when the intention is to remove painted pixels from the layer itself.