Creating a Group Layer
Group layers can be created in the Layers palette by clicking the New Layer button in the Layers palette and selecting the Group option from the pop-up list. The icon for group layers looks like a folder. The new layer is added to the Layers palette directly above the selected layer and given the name of Layer followed by a sequential number.
Group layers are initially empty when they are created, but you can add sublayers to the group layer by dragging and dropping any existing layers onto the group layer icon. When you drag a layer or multiple selected layers over the top of a group layer, the group layer is highlighted in red. If you drop a layer when the group layer is highlighted like this, the dropped layer or layers are added to the group. You can also add layers to the group by selecting a layer within the group layer and creating a new layer. The new layer is added to the layer list automatically directly above the selected layer.
Tip
Although group layers are only available in Anime Studio Pro, if you need a group layer in Anime Studio Debut, you can use a bone layer to accomplish the same results.
Group layers can be renamed by double-clicking the layer’s name to access the Layer Settings dialog box. In this dialog box, you can enter a new name for the layer. All layer settings made to a group layer are automatically applied to all the group’s sublayers.
Note
In addition to group layers, bone, switch, and particle layers can also hold sublayers just like group layers.
Nesting Group Layers
If a group layer that contains multiple sublayers is dropped onto another group layer, the group is added to the group, making a nested group. Figure 23.1 shows a nested set of group layers in the Layers palette.
Figure 23.1. Nested group layers.
Caution
If a group layer is contained within a bone layer, then the bone can control the group layer, but the bone cannot be bound to the points in the group’s sublayer. This will work if you have a nested set of bone layers.
Deleting a Group Layer
If you want to delete a group layer, simply select the layer and click the Delete Layer button in the Layers palette. When a group layer is deleted, all its sublayers are also deleted.
Note
If the group layer is the topmost layer in the Layers palette, the Delete Layer button is disabled because Anime Studio requires that at least one layer is always available.