Understanding Layers
Understanding layers is a key concept in Anime Studio. Every piece of content, whether it is vector lines, bones, or particles, is contained on a layer. There are multiple different types of layers and each type holds a different kind of content. Each layer type has an icon that identifies its type in the Layers palette. All layers are managed using the Layers palette, which is shown in Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.1. Layers palette.
Layers provide a way to organize sets of content. For example, you could include all the background content on one layer and the foreground character on another layer. Layers can move, rotate, and scale independent of the other layers, so you could use them to create some advanced scenes. For example, you could draw a character’s body on one layer and its arm on another layer. Then by locating the arm’s layer center at the connection point, you could rotate the layer to make the arm move. This is just a simple example of how layers can be used.
In addition to organization, layers are also used to define the stacking order of objects in the scene. Objects on layers positioned at the top of the Layers palette will appear in front of overlapping objects that are on a lower layer.
The Available Layer Types
Each layer can contain a unique type of content. You can identify each layer type by the icon to the left of the layer name in the Layers palette. The available layer types include the following:
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| Vector Layer: Vector layers hold all 2D vector-based lines, curves, shapes, and text. Vector layers are covered in more detail in Chapter 8, “Using Vector Layers.” |
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| Image Layer: Image layers hold loaded pixel-based images imported from an external file. Image layers are covered in more detail in Chapter 22, “Adding Image Layers.” |
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| Group Layer: Group layers hold several layers together for easy selection. Group layers are only available in Anime Studio Pro and are covered in more detail in Chapter 23, “Organizing Layers into Groups.” |
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| Bone Layer: Bone layers hold all bone objects that are used to move a selected group of points. Bone layers are covered in more detail in Chapter 26, “Creating and Binding Bones.” |
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| Switch Layer: Switch layers contain several sublayers, like the Group layer, except only one of the sublayers is visible at a time. This layer type provides a way to control interactively what is displayed. Switch layers are covered in more detail in Chapter 24, “Using Switch and Note Layers.” |
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| Note Layer: Note layers let you leave comments on your current project such as a reminder to finish a particular effect. Note layers are only available in Anime Studio Pro and are covered in more detail in Chapter 24, “Using Switch and Note Layers.” |
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| 3D Layer: 3D layers hold 3D objects created and imported from a 3D package. 3D layers are only available in Anime Studio Pro and are covered in more detail in Chapter 29, “Using 3D Layers.” |
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| Particle Layer: Particle layers hold a large number of small objects called particles that act and move as one object. Particle layers are only available in Anime Studio Pro and are covered in more detail in Chapter 31, “Using Particle Layers.” |
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| Audio Layer: Audio layers hold any imported sound objects that appears in the Sequencer. Audio layers are covered in more detail in Chapter 19, “Working with Sound.” |
New Feature
Audio layers are new to Anime Studio 6.
Note
Group, Note, 3D, and Particle layers are only available in Anime Studio Pro.