Every visible or interactive element in a Layout is represented by a Layer. Layers are the fundamental building blocks of a Layout. Everything shown in the Layout Canvas and listed in the Layers Tree exists as a Layer.

Each Layer has its own type, visual representation, and set of editable properties. When a Layer is selected, its properties are displayed in the Property Editor, and its outline becomes visible in the Layout Canvas.

Layer Types #

Each button in the Tool Action Toolbar, besides the “Select Layer” tool, corresponds to a specific Layer type that it creates. These buttons represent all available types of Layers that can be added to a Layout.

Common categories include:

1. Visual Layers
   • Represent images, shapes, or graphics that appear directly in the Layout Canvas.
   • Examples: Image Layer, Ellipse Layer, Text Layer.
2. Container Layers
   • Hold other Layers and control how their children are arranged.
   • Examples: Group Layer, Stack Layer, Grid Layer.

Each type determines both the available properties and the rules for how it interacts with its parent and children.
For example, only Group, Stack, and Grid Layers can contain child Layers.

Layer Properties #

Each Layer has its own set of properties, which are displayed in the Property Editor when the Layer is selected.

Some properties vary by type (for example, an Image Layer might have “Image Path,” while a Text Layer might have “Font” and “Text”), but all Layers share a common set of universal properties.

Universal Properties:

• Enabled
  • Toggles whether the Layer will be shown in the output of the owning Layout. Unchecking this box will make the Layer and all of its children invisible in the Set Editor or in export operations.
• X
  • The horizontal position of the Layer relative to its parent.
• Y
  • The vertical position of the Layer relative to its parent.
• Width
  • The total width of the Layer in pixels.
• Height
  • The total height of the Layer in pixels.
• Rotation
  • The rotation angle (in degrees) applied around the Layer’s center point.
• Horizontal Alignment
  • Defines how the Layer aligns horizontally within its parent (e.g., Left, Center, Right, Stretch).
• Vertical Alignment
  • Defines how the Layer aligns vertically within its parent (e.g., Top, Center, Bottom, Stretch).

All Layer properties can be Data Linked to a Data Source that lists the owning Layout as either its Default Front Layout or Default Back Layout.

Layer Interface #

Each Layer entry in the Layers Tree includes displays for Layer information and quick-access controls for interaction with the Layout Canvas.

1. Children Drop-Down Button
   • This control expands or shrinks the list of its children Layers.
   • This control will only be visible on Layers with children.
2. Preview Image
   • This displays what the Layer will look like in the Layout Canvas.
3. Visibility Button
   • This control toggles the visibility of the Layer and all of its children.
   • Not to be confused with the “Enabled” property, as this control does not affect the output of the Layout.
4. Block Canvas Selection Button
   • This control toggles whether the Layer, and all of its children, can be selected from the Layout Canvas.
   • This control is meant to allow you to lock some Layers in place while you edit other groups, ensuring that nothing is accidentally selected or moved.
5. Layer Name
   • This control displays the name of the Layer.
   • This control can be double-clicked with the mouse to edit the name of the Layer.