A real photo, split into layers
Split by Image Layered. Select the person, hide the desk, or drag a layer.
Sample layers you can click, hide, and drag. Your own image is split in the editor.
Parallax layers
Split a picture into parallax-ready depth layers
Parallax layers are an image split into depth planes, usually foreground, subject, and background, with the area behind each plane filled in, so the layers can move at different speeds for a 2.5D effect.
For motion designers, web developers, and streamers who want a moving header, a 2.5D photo animation, or a parallax game background from a single still.
Last updated
Drop an image to split it into layers
Separate the subject, text, and background, then move or resize any layer.
How it works
- 1. Upload a flat image. A poster, product shot, or AI picture.
- 2. Split into layers. Subject, text, and background come apart.
- 3. Edit and export. Move, recolor, or download PSD and PNG.
Free preview: 1 split per day at 1K, no sign-up. A full 2K split is 5 credits.
How it works
1
Upload a photo or illustration
Images with a clear subject and some distance to the background work best.
2
Split
Check that the background plate is filled where the subject was.
3
Download the PSD
Import as a layered composition in your motion app.
4
Animate
Move the background slowly, the subject a little faster, and the foreground fastest.
Hidden areas rebuilt
The background behind the subject is filled, so layers can slide without revealing a hole.
Works with any editor
Import the PSD into After Effects, CapCut, DaVinci Resolve, or a web parallax library.
One flat price
One 5-credit split gives every depth layer the picture contains.
Why the filled background matters
A simple cut-out leaves a subject-shaped hole in the background. Once the subject moves a few pixels, the hole shows. The split rebuilds that area, which is the difference between a usable parallax and an obvious cut. Keep camera moves modest, because the fill is an estimate, not real captured pixels.
For game backgrounds with several depth planes, see game asset layers.
Uses
Animated website heroes, YouTube intros, a VTuber stream background (see VTuber model prep), visual novel scenes (see visual novel sprite layers), and product reveals.
Landscapes split into foreground, middle, and sky only when those planes are visually distinct. Hazy or flat scenes may come back as fewer layers.
When not to use it
- It does not output a depth map or 3D mesh.
- Large camera moves reveal the AI-filled areas.
- Flat scenes with little depth separation return few layers.
Frequently asked questions
Does it make a video?
No. It gives you the layers. Animate them in your video or web tool.
Can I use it in After Effects?
Yes. Import the PSD as a composition with layers, then add a camera or position keyframes.
Is it better than a depth map?
It is different. A depth map gives continuous depth; layers give separate planes with filled backgrounds, which is what classic parallax uses.
What does it cost?
One free 1K preview split per day without an account, watermarked and not exportable. A full 2K split is 5 credits and includes both the PSD and the PNG ZIP, whatever the layer count. Credits come back automatically when a split fails. The 100-credit Starter pack is a one-time payment, not a subscription.
Is Image Layered free?
Yes — you can split one image per day at 1K without an account to preview the layers. Full-resolution 2K layers and PSD/PNG ZIP export use 5 credits per split.
What file do I get?
A layered Photoshop PSD where every element is its own named, transparent layer at its original position, or a ZIP of transparent PNGs plus a composite.
What images work best?
Posters, product shots, social graphics, characters and AI-generated images with clear subjects. Very busy photos can merge small details into one layer.
What happens if a split fails?
Credits are refunded automatically when a split fails or times out.
Are my images private?
Uploads are used only to create your layers and are not shown publicly or used for training.
Can I use the layers commercially?
Yes, you can use exported layers from your own images in commercial work.