# Chapter 3: 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

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.

# Using the Layers panel

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.

#### To display the Layers panel:

Choose Window > Layers.

#### To select a layer:

Click the layer name in the Layers panel.

# Adding and deleting layers

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.

#### To add a layer:

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

#### To delete a layer:

1. Select the layer in the Layers panel.
2. Do one of the following:

- Click the trash in the Layers panel.
- Choose Delete from the Layers panel menu.

#### To name a layer:

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

# Changing layer opacity

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.

#### 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 in the Layers panel 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 how objects appear in different colors or how they combine using different composite methods.

#### 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 layers

You can duplicate layers in the same document.

#### To duplicate a layer:

1. Select the layer in the Layers panel.
2. In the Layers panel menu, choose Duplicate. The duplicated layer appears in the Layers panel above the selected layer.

# Changing the stacking order of layers

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.

#### To rearrange layers:

1. Select the layer you want to move in the Layers panel.
2. Drag the layer up or down in the Layers palette. When the outline box appears in the desired position, release the mouse button.

# 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 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.

#### To apply a filter to a layer:

1. Select the layer in the Layers panel.
2. In the Layers panel menu, choose Apply Filter and then choose a filter from the menu.

For a list of e-Picture's filters, see Applying filters to objects.

#### To remove a filter from a layer:

1. Double-click the layer in the Layers panel.
2. Click the Filters tab.
3. Select the filter you want to delete and click the trash.

# Applying effects to layers

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.

#### 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 menu.

For a list of e-Picture's effects, see Applying effects to objects

# Applying composite methods to layers

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.

#### 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 menu.

For a list of e-Picture's composite methods, see Applying composite methods to objects

# Converting a layer to a selection area

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.

#### To convert a layer to a selection area:

1. Select the layer in the Layers panel.
2. Choose Layer > Convert to selection.

# Flattening and merging layers

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.

#### 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 menu:

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