# Working with Layers

This section describes the tools and techniques you need to create and edit layers in e-Picture documents. Topics include adding and deleting layers, editing layer properties, and applying filters and composite methods to layers.

# About layers

Think of layers as sheets of acetate stacked one on top of the other. Where there is nothing on a layer, you can see through to the layers below. Underneath all the layers is the background of the image, either colored or transparent. In the illustration below, each object is on a separate layer. The third layer has no objects but does have a filter applied. The second layer is a duplicate of the first, with the layer flipped horizontally.

# Using the Layers Panel

The Layers panel lists all layers in an image, starting with the topmost layer. A thumbnail of the layer contents appears to the right of the layer name. It is updated as you edit. Use the scroll bars or resize the panel to see additional layers.

You use the Layers panel to change a layer's opacity, to hide, show or edit a layer, or to apply transformations, effects and filters. You select a layer to make it active. When an layer is active, a paintbrush icon appears next to the object in the Layers panel, indicating that this is the layer being modifying.

To display the Layers panel:

Choose Window > Layers.

To select a layer:

Click the layer name in the Layers panel.

# Adding and deleting layers

e-Picture let you create up to <<??>> layers. Each layer can have its own opacity, composite method, orientation, filters and special effects. The amount of memory in your system may limit the number of layers possible in a single image.

To add a layer:

Choose New from the Layers panel menu. New layers are added above the selected layer.

To delete a layer:

1 Select the layer in the Layers panel.

2 Do one of the following:

- Select the layer and click on the trash in the Layers panel.
- Select the layer and then choose Delete from the Layers panel menu.

To name a layer:

Double-click the layer in the Layers panel then enter a name in the Layer Properties dialog box.

# Changing layer opacity

Each layer can have it's own opacity. The opacity you set for the layer combines with the opacity of the individual objects on the layer to determine how objects appear. For example, if you set an object's opacity to 50% and set the layer opacity to 50%, the objects appears at 25% opacity since 50% is the maximum that the layer can display.

In addition to setting the opacity for a layer in a image, you also use the Layers palette to set the opacity of a layer in the frames of an animation.

To change the opacity of a layer, do one of the following:

- Select the layer in the Layers panel, then type a value in the Opacity box or click the triangle and drag the slider.
- Double-click the layer name and drag the Opacity slider in the Layer Properties dialog box.

# Hiding and showing layers

You can choose to hide any layer. Hiding a layer can be useful when you're trying out combinations of text and graphics or when you want to compare different objects colors or special effects.

To hide or show layers:

Click the far left column in the Layers panel. The eye icon disappears when the layer is hidden. Click again to show the layer.

# Duplicating and copying layers

To duplicate a layer:

1 Select the layer in the Layers panel.

2 In the Layers panel Option menu, choose Duplicate.

# Rearranging layers

Rearrange the order of layers by dragging a layer up or down with your mouse.

# Flipping layers

You can flip individual layers in an image, both horizontally and vertically. You cannot rotate an individual layer.

Note: To flip or rotate all the layers in an image use the Image> Flip or Image> Rotate commands.

To flip a layer:

1 Select the layer in the Layers panel.

2 In the Layers panel menu, choose Flip and then choose an option from the submenu.

# Applying filters to layers

When you apply a filter to a layer, all the objects in the layer are filtered. These filters combine with any filters applied to individual objects.

For a description of each filter, see Applying filters to objects.

To apply a filter to a layer:

1 Select the layer in the Layers panel.

2 In the Layers panel menu, Apply Filter and then choose a filter from the submenu.

# Applying special effects to layers

In addition to filters, you can also add special effects to layers. These effects change the appearance of the outside edges of all the objects on that layer and combine with any special effects applied to individual objects in the layer.

For a description of each effect, see Applying special effects to objects.

To apply effects to a layer:

1 Select the layer in the Layers panel.

2 In the Layers panel menu, choose Effects and then choose an effect from the submenu.

# Applying composite methods to layers

You use layer composite methods to determine how the pixels in a layer are blended with underlying pixels on other layers. By applying composite methods to individual layers, you can create a variety of special effects. The composite methods combine with any composite methods you've applied to the individual objects in the layer.

For a description of each composite methods, see Applying composite methods to objects.

To apply a composite method to a layer:

1 Select the layer in the Layers panel.

2 In the Layers panel menu, choose Composite Method and then choose an option from the submenu.

# Flattening and merging layers

Merging layers combines several layers into one. When you merge layers, the selected layers are collapsed into one layer, but the individual layers and objects keep their individual properties. For example, you can still change the opacity of the individual layers, or the position of individual objects, even through they've been merged.

In a flattened layer, all the objects are merged, greatly reducing file size. Flattening a layer discards the properties of all the objects on the layer. In most cases, you won't want to flatten layers until you have finished editing the individual objects and layers.

Note: You can also merge and flatten entire images. For more information, see Flattening and merging images.

Warning: Do not flatten layers until you are sure you are finished editing them.

To merge layers:

1 Select the layer in the Layers panel.

2 In the Layers panel menu, choose Merge and then choose an option from the submenu:

- All Visible merges all layers that are visible.
- Up merges the layer with the layer immediately above it in the Layers panel
- Down merges the layer with the layer immediately below it in the Layers panel.
- To Top merges the layer with all layers above it in the Layers panel.
- To Bottom merges the layer with all the layers below it in the Layers panel.

To flatten layers:

1 Select the layer in the Layers panel.

2 In the Layers panel menu, choose Flatten and then choose an option from the submenu:

- Current <<??>>
- All Visible flattens all layers that are visible.
- Up <<??>>
- Down <<??>>
- To Top <<??>>
- To Bottom <<??>>