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.
Layers in a document are like sheets of clear plastic, placed one on top of the other. Where there is an object on the layer it covers up that area on the underlying layers. 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 white, colored, or transparent. In the illustration below, each object is on a separate layer.
Note: Saving an image in a file format other then e-Picture's .ep format automatically flattens a document, combining the individual layers.
The Layers panel lists all the 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 show or hide a layer, change a layer's opacity, merge and flatten layers, and to apply filters, effects, and composite methods. Clicking the layer name selects the layer. When a layer is selected, a paintbrush icon appears next to the layer name in the Layers panel, indicating that this is the layer being modified.
Choose Window > Layers.
Click the layer name in the Layers panel.
You can have an unlimited number of layers in a document, however, the total number of layers is determined by the amount of memory in your system. Each layer can have its own opacity, filters, special effects, and composite method.
Choose New from the Layers panel menu. New layers are added to the Layers panel above the selected layer.
Double-click the layer in the Layers panel, enter a name in the Layer Properties dialog box, and click Apply.
Each layer has its own opacity. The layer opacity 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% in a layer with an opacity of 50%, the object appears at 25% opacity since the object opacity is multiplied by the layer opacity to determine the final opacity value.
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 how objects appear in different colors or how they combine using different composite methods.
Click the far left column in the Layers panel. The eye icon disappears when the layer is hidden. Click again to show the layer.
You can duplicate layers in the same document.
In the Layers panel, the bottom layer is behind all other layers and the top layer is in front of all other layers. Changing the stacking order determines if a layer appears above (in front of) or below (behind) the other layers in the image.
When you apply a filter to a layer,
all the objects
in the layer are filtered. These filters combine with any
filters applied
to the individual objects in the layer. If you want to
apply a filter to
a specific object in a layer, select the object and
choose the filter from
the Objects panel menu.
For a list of e-Picture's filters, see Applying filters to objects.
In addition to filters, you can also add effects to layers. These effects change the appearance of the outside edges of all the objects on the layer and combine with any effects applied to individual objects in the layer. If you want to apply an effect to a specific object in a layer, select the object and choose the effect from the Objects panel menu.
For a list of e-Picture's effects, see Applying effects to objects
You use layer composite methods to determine how the pixels in a layer blend with the pixels in underlying layers. By applying composite methods to individual layers, you can create a variety of special effects. The composite methods combine with any composite method you've applied to the individual objects in the layer.
For a list of e-Picture's composite methods, see Applying composite methods to objects
You can easily convert all the objects on a layer to selections. The objects remains in the image underlying the selection unless you delete them from the Objects panel. The selection areas can then be used as a mask for other bitmap images.
Merging layers combines several layers into one layer. When you merge layers, the selected layers are collapsed, but the layer objects keep their individual properties. For example, you can still change the position of individual objects in merged layers.
Flattening layers merges all the objects into one bitmap, but the objects lose their individual properties. You can not edit objects on a flattened layer.
You can also flatten individual objects and merge and flatten entire images. For more information, see Flattening objects and Flattening and merging images.
Warning: Do not flatten layers until you are sure you are finished editing them.