Loading multiple images into Photoshop so they can be copied onto new layers in different files can be tiring. Fortunately, there are several ways you can quickly load multiple image files into one file, with each image as its own layer. You can do this using Bridge, an asset management tool from Adobe. You can also use Lightroom if you're going to make a lot of edits to your photo's lighting. Finally, you can use Photoshop's Scripts tool itself to load multiple files at once.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Bridge
Step 1. Open Adobe Bridge
Bridge is an asset management tool for Adobe products, especially Photoshop. This program is installed with Adobe Photoshop CS2 through CS6. If you're using Adobe Creative Cloud, you can download Bridge as an add-on at creative.adobe.com. You need a Creative Cloud ID to sign in and access downloads.
Step 2. Locate the image you want to add in the Bridge interface
Browse your images folder in Bridge to find the image you want to load into Photoshop. The process will be easier if all the images are in the same folder.
Step 3. Select the individual files you want to load into Photoshop
Hold down Ctrl/⌘ Cmd and click each image you want to select. Continue until all the images you want to load into Photoshop are selected as individual layers.
Step 4. Click "Tools" → "Photoshop" → "Load Files into Photoshop Layers"
This will open Photoshop and create a new file, with each image being a separate layer. This step may take a long time if you load multiple images at once.
Step 5. Switch between layers
Use the Layers window on the right side of the screen to select and edit individual layers.
Method 2 of 3: Using Lightroom
Step 1. Open Lightroom and make edits
If you use Lightroom to adjust the exposure and end up blending multiple exposures, you can load the image directly from Lightroom into a separate layer in Photoshop.
Step 2. Select each of the images you want to load into Photoshop
Hold down Ctrl/⌘ Cmd and select each image you want to move. You can select these images along the bottom of the Lightroom window.
Step 3. Right-click the image of your choice and select "Edit in" → "Open as Layers in Photoshop"
This step will start Photoshop and begin loading each image into its own individual layer. This step may take a while if you have a large number of images loaded. The process is complete when each image has been loaded and there are no empty layers.
Step 4. Interact with layers
The Layers window on the right side of the screen will allow you to move between layers and edit them however you like.
Method 3 of 3: Using Photoshop
Step 1. Open Photoshop
If you don't have Bridge or Lightroom, you can still open some images as individual layers from within Photoshop. You don't have to open a file to do this step, because a new file will be created when you import the image.
Step 2. Click "File" → "Scripts" → "Load Files into Stack"
This will open a new window that will allow you to select the files to add.
Step 3. Click the "Browse" button and locate the file you want to add
You can use this window to search for files anywhere on your computer to add to Photoshop. You can load as many files as you want into this window.
Step 4. Click "OK" to load the selected file as a separate layer
A new file will be created, and each image you selected will be inserted into a separate layer. If you are loading a lot of images, this step may take a while.
