Coffee shop poster, a real split: the flat image and the 11 named layers it became.
Coffee shop poster
Split into layers in 100s: 10 named layers over the filled background.
Image to Layers — Split Any Image into Layers
LayerGrab turns a flat picture into 7–10 layers you can edit, with AI, in about a minute.
Image
Name one element. It comes back as a transparent PNG layer.
Sample split, free to explore: Coffee shop poster
11 layers
Split in 100s
- Background (filled)
Real splits, not mockups
Every example on this page is a real image to layers result: the original, the filled background and each named layer, exactly as the tool returned them.
Headphones product banner, a real split: the flat image and the 8 named layers it became.
Headphones product banner
Split into layers in 66s: 7 named layers over the filled background.
Skincare Instagram post, a real split: the flat image and the 8 named layers it became.
Skincare Instagram post
Split into layers in 80s: 7 named layers over the filled background.
AI-generated desk illustration, a real split: the flat image and the 10 named layers it became.
AI-generated desk illustration
Split into layers in 100s: 9 named layers over the filled background.
Anime room illustration, a real split: the flat image and the 7 named layers it became.
Anime room illustration
Split into layers in 63s: 6 named layers over the filled background, with the instruction “girl with dark blue hair holding an open book, orange sleeping cat, monstera plant in a white pot, stack of three books, mug of coffee on a wooden tray, paper lantern lamp on a stand”.
Growth report slide, a real split: the flat image and the 12 named layers it became.
Growth report slide
Split into layers in 97s: 11 named layers over the filled background.
Sportswear flat-lay photo, a real split: the flat image and the 16 named layers it became.
Sportswear flat-lay photo
Split into layers in 148s: 15 named layers over the filled background.
Two-person photo, a real split: the flat image and the 2 named layers it became.
Two-person photo
Split into layers in 46s: 1 named layer over the filled background, with the instruction “Separate the woman on the right”.
How to turn an image into layers
1
Upload an image
Drop, paste or pick a PNG, JPG or WebP: a poster, a product banner, an AI image or a screenshot.
2
AI does the splitting
In 60–100 seconds, text, products and graphics each get their own transparent layer, and the background behind them is filled in.
3
Pick a layer
Every layer has a readable English name, like "Yellow Price Tag $129". Hide layers to see what is underneath.
4
Grab or export
Copy one layer straight into Figma, Photoshop or Canva, download it as PNG, or export everything as a ZIP or layered PSD.
Image to layers
Grab any element from a flat image
LayerGrab is an AI tool that splits an image into editable layers: up to 16 separate transparent layers, one per element, each named, with the background behind them filled in. It exports PNG, ZIP or a layered PSD, can pull out just the object you name, and works on layergrab.com and as Photoshop, Figma, Sketch and Chrome plugins.
Image to layers means one flat file in and a stack of editable pieces out. Text, products and graphics each come back as a transparent layer with a readable English name, and the background behind them is painted in, so nothing leaves a hole when you move it.
Reuse one element from a picture
Take the product, the badge or the illustration out of an image and drop it into your own design, with a clean transparent edge.
Every element sits on its own transparent layer at its original position, so it drops into a new layout at the right size.
Change the words on a poster
Split a finished poster so the headline sits on its own layer over a clean background, then set new text for another market or offer.
Need the whole design as a Photoshop file instead? Use the PSD export.
Edit an AI-generated image
AI images arrive as one flat picture. Splitting them lets you move, resize or remove one object without generating the whole image again.
Layers are named from what they contain, like “Mint green adjustable desk lamp”, so you find the one you want without clicking through Layer 1 to Layer 9.
10 layers
Sitting orange and white cat
Laptop with data visualization screen
Mint green adjustable desk lamp
Potted plant in coffee mug
Monstera potted plant
Stack of three books
Background (filled)
Rebuild a flat design
When the source file is lost, turn the flat banner or ad back into layers so it can be edited and resized instead of redrawn.
Everything comes back at the size of the original, ready for Figma, Photoshop or Canva.
- growth-report-slide.psd12 named layers, in place
- growth-report-slide-layers.zip12 transparent PNG files
- Yellow +42% Year on Year Badge.pngOne layer, or copy it to the clipboard
Use it where you design
Photoshop
Adds the layers as a named group above your image, as one undo step.
Photoshop plugin
Figma
Rebuilds the image as a group of layers in place, aligned to the original. Available on Figma Community.
Figma plugin
Sketch
Runs from the Plugins menu and places named image layers right over your selection.
Sketch plugin
Chrome
Right-click any image on the web and split it in the side panel, then copy or download layers.
Chrome extension
Who it is for
Designers, marketers and small shops who work with images they did not make and do not have the layered source for: stock graphics, client assets, competitor ads, AI images, screenshots.
Converting the image to layers is the fastest route when you need one element out of a busy picture, or when a finished graphic has to change without being rebuilt.
When not to use it
- Cast shadows are not kept. An element that threw a shadow on the background can look like it floats when you move it.
- Very light, thin text can come back in a slightly different colour, because each layer is redrawn by the model rather than cut out.
- Text layers are images, not editable text. To change the wording you type new text over the clean background.
- It does not split a character into rigging parts (front hair, eyes, mouth) for Live2D or Spine.
- Two runs on the same image can separate it a little differently, for example 9 layers one time and 10 the next.
LayerGrab and Canva Magic Layers
Canva Magic Layers turns a flat image into movable pieces inside the Canva editor. LayerGrab does the same image to layers job for people who work in Photoshop and Figma, or who need the layers as files.
Canva Magic Layers
- Works with single-page PNG and JPG files. Source
- Images over 5,000 px on the longest edge are not supported. Source
- Canva lists photo-realistic imagery as a case where results may vary, and does not support vector graphics, PDFs or licensed images. Source
Checked 2026-09-28
LayerGrab
- Exports each layer as PNG, all layers as ZIP, or a layered PSD.
- Works in the browser and as Photoshop and Figma plugins with one account.
- Names every layer in plain English and fills in the background behind it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn an image into layers?
Upload the picture to LayerGrab, the image to layers tool at the top of this page. In about a minute it returns every main element as a transparent layer of its own, with the background behind them filled in. You can then copy a single layer, download it as PNG, or export the whole stack as a ZIP or a Photoshop file.
Is LayerGrab free?
You can open the sample splits on this page and use every feature for free, without an account. Every account gets one free split, and all of its layers download as PNG, ZIP or PSD. After that, splitting your own images uses credits: plans start at $12 a month for about 120 layers, or buy a one-time credit pack from $20.
What is the difference between removing the background and splitting into layers?
Background removal keeps one subject and throws everything else away. Splitting keeps every element as its own layer, including text and small graphics, and also rebuilds the background that was hidden behind them, so nothing is lost.
Can I edit the text after splitting?
The text comes back as its own image layer, not as editable type. The background behind it is filled in, so you can hide the text layer and set new text in its place in any design tool.
Which images convert to layers best?
Designed images split best: posters, product banners, ads, social graphics and AI-generated images with clear, distinct elements. Busy real-world photos with overlapping objects split less cleanly.
How many layers do I get?
Usually 7–10 layers, plus the filled background, and up to 16. The count depends on how many distinct elements the image contains.
Can I use LayerGrab inside Photoshop, Figma, Sketch or Chrome?
Yes. Photoshop, Figma and Sketch plugins add the split as a named layer group directly above your image, and a Chrome extension splits images from any web page in a side panel. All use the same account and credits as the web app. The Figma plugin is on Figma Community and the Chrome extension is on the Chrome Web Store; the Photoshop and Sketch plugins are in testing before their stores.
Last updated 2026-09-29
