Create Stunning tvOS Parallax Icons with Apple’s Photoshop Plugin

Apple recently added built‑in parallax effects for tvOS app icons and banners, giving designers a new dimension to explore. To simplify the workflow, Apple released a Photoshop template and two beta tools – Parallax Exporter and Parallax Preview.

Step 1: Download the App Icon Safe‑zone Template

The official .psd file contains pre‑named transparent layers that serve as your canvas. Follow the tvOS Design Guide: use four layers of different sizes to create depth, but do not exceed five layers, include a layer named Background , and place all layers inside an Art folder.

Step 2: Install Parallax Exporter beta

Parallax Exporter is a Photoshop plugin (compatible with CC 2014+). After downloading the zip, extract and run ParallaxExporter.pkg. Install it via Photoshop → Windows → Extensions → LSR. Once installed, the plugin adds a panel with two functions:

Live preview : move the mouse over the square preview area to see the parallax effect.

Export .lsr file : the exported file is the tvOS icon format and is saved alongside the original PSD.

Step 3: Install Parallax Preview beta

Parallax Preview (Mac‑only) lets you drag the exported .lsr file into the app. The left pane shows the file’s layer hierarchy, the center pane provides an interactive preview where you can move the mouse to see the depth effect, and the right pane lets you edit layer size, position, and background.

Following these steps, you can create your first tvOS app icon with a smooth parallax animation.