Synfig Studio :: Documentation - User contributions [en]

Doc:Adding Layers

2016-09-04T16:28:37Z

Fortitude: added note

{{Title|Adding Layers}}
{{Navigation|Category:Manual|Doc:Creating_Shapes}}
{{TOCright}}
[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:Tutorials]]
[[Category:Tutorials Basic]]
[[Category:Updated]]
{{NewTerminology}}

== Introduction ==

In the {{l|Doc:Animation_Basics|previous tutorial}}, you made your first simple animation by changing the attributes of {{l|Primitive Layer|primitive}} objects, such as: position, color, and size. These simple types, however, are seldom sufficient to create advanced characters and objects. To do so, Synfig uses {{l|Layer|layers}}. They are similar to layers used in other drawing applications in that they are used to separate different elements of an image.

However, Synfig's layers have following important specific:
# Every object or {{l|Primitive Layer|element}} gets its own layer.
# You can organize layers into hierarchical groups.
# You can use upper layers to change the behavior (or look) of underlying layers. Those are called {{l|Filter Layer|filter layers}} or effect layers.

As you will see, layers are an extremely important aspect of Synfig, much more so than most graphics programs. Understanding the concept of layers is an important part in understanding how Synfig works.

== Combining layers ==

So let's look at a simple example of how we can combine two layers to create a gradient effect on a rectangle.

Create a new file with 0 duration. There's no need to bother with a timeline at this point. Next, create a simple rectangle with the {{l|Rectangle Tool}}.

[[Image:Adding-layers-tutorial-1 0.63.06.png|frame|center]]

Pick the {{l|Gradient Tool|Gradient Tool}} from the {{l|Category:Toolbox|Toolbox}} ({{l|Blend Method Parameter#Composite|Composite}} Blend Method), press the left mouse button on the canvas, drag to change the gradient direction and release the button when you are done. You should note that another layer was added in the {{l|Layers Panel}} called '''Gradient'''. This is nothing special.

[[Image:Adding Layer-tutorial-2 0.63.06.png|frame|center]]

{{Note|Note|If you see no gradient but just a plain color, that means that you probably just clicked on the canvas without dragging your mouse. To fix that pick the {{l|Transform Tool|Transform Tool}}, click into the canvas to activate the gradient's handles. You need to grab the one you see and move it a bit until a gradient appears.}}

{{Note|Note|If you see a spiral gradient, go to the [[Tool_Options_Panel]] and change Layer Type to linear by clicking on the far left icon.}}

You now have a gradient, but it is not what you wanted: it spreads across the whole canvas. The goal was to have a gradient in the rectangle. So, let's fix this now.

In the {{l|Layers Panel}}, select both the gradient and the rectangle layer. Then, right-click and select {{Literal|Group Layer}} from the menu. The view of your Layers Panel should change now, showing a small box called {{l|Group Layer|Group}} with a ▶ in front. By clicking on the ▶ you can expand the group layer to see its contents, your previous two layers: the gradient and the rectangle.

[[Image:Adding Layer-tutorial-3 0.63.06.png|frame|center]]

You can treat this layer like any other layer — move it around, duplicate it, copy and paste it. If you want to change the name of it to something more descriptive, just select the layer in the layer tab and click on its label. Then you just edit it in place. You can do this for ANY layer, and are strongly encouraged to do so.

== Using locality ==
However, there is still a problem: the gradient still covers the whole canvas although we wanted it to be restricted on the rectangle. To do so, activate the gradient layer in the Layers Panel. Now go to the {{l|Parameters Panel}} (by default it resides in the bottom window), and search for the attribute called {{l|Blend_Method_Parameter|Blend Method}}. Double-click the entry and select {{l|Blend_Method_Parameter#Onto|Onto}} from the drop-down menu.

[[Image:Adding Layer-tutorial-4 0.63.06.png|frame|center]]

The gradient should now be restricted to the rectangle. Congratulations! You just made your first effect by interacting layers with Synfig.

[[Image:Adding Layer-tutorial-5 0.63.06.png|frame|center|The gradient is restricted to the rectangle. You will found more informations about the various {{literal|Blend Method}} in the {{l|Blend_Method_Parameter}} documentation.]]

If only for the additional organization, grouping layers dramatically improves the ease of use of Synfig Studio. But lots of programs can do this. The concept of ''scope'' as just demonstrated sets Synfig apart from other programs with layer hierarchies. The key point is that a layer, inside it's own group, will '''only''' modify the data contained by all the layers and groups '''below''' it. In other words, if you were to throw a {{l|Blur Layer}} on top of the layers inside the {{l|Group Layer|group layer}} we created, it would just blur them — anything under the group layer would not be blurred! Let's try it.

== Using layers to modify other layers==
Make sure you have the group layer selected and create two red {{l|Circle Tool|circles}}. They will appear on top of the group layer. Select the group layer and use the {{Literal|Raise Layer}} button in the Layers Panel to place it on top of the circles.

[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-6-raise-layer-0.63.06.png|center|frame]]

Now our group layer (with rectangle and gradient) is in front of those two circles.

[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-7-0.63.06.png|center|frame]]

Expand the group layer to show its contents, and select the top layer inside of it (should be the gradient layer). This is where we want to insert the new layer. Create another circle filled with a black color. The black circle layer will be created over the gradient layer inside the group layer.

[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-8-0.63.06.png|center|frame]]

Now, right click on the black circle layer in the layers panel and a popup menu will appear. The first item in that popup is {{Literal|New Layer}}. Inside of the {{Literal|New Layer}} menu, you'll see several categories of layers you could create, but what we want is a blur, so go to the blurs category and select the {{Literal|Blur}} layer (so that would be {{c|New Layer|Blurs|Blur}}).

[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-11-0.63.06.png|frame|center]]

It blurred! Has the blend method for newly created blur is {{Literal|Straight}} (if the default blend method in the Toolbox is set to {{Literal|By Layer Default}}) it blurred all around the outside edge of the contents of the group layer. You can change the {{l|New Layer Defaults#Default Blend Method|default blend method}} for new layers from the {{l|New Layer Defaults}} section of the Toolbox.

{{Note|Note|In the Synfig version before {{Literal|0.62.02}} , the blend method for newly created blur layers was defaulted to {{Literal|Composite}}, that cause the outside edge of the contents of the group layer is still sharp. What we want is a blend method of {{Literal|Straight}}. Just select the blur layer, and change the Blend Method to {{Literal|Straight}} in the Parameters Panel.
[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-10-composite-blur-0.63.06.png|center|frame]]}}

Ok, now we have all of the contents of the group layer blurred, but everything under it is sharp! This is because the effect of the Blur Layer over the underlying layers is limited to the scope of the group layer because the blur layer is inside it.
You can download the [[File:Doc Adding Layers.sif|sif]] used for this example

== Digging further... ==

If you care to look into Synfig's main menu under {{c|Layer|New Layer}} you will note quite a lot of different possibilities for making layers. Several of them sound rather unusual, like {{c|Transform|Rotate}} for example. You can use this to add new attributes to your objects. And just like other, basic attributes in the {{L|Doc:Animation Basics|previous animation tutorial}}, you can change them to be different on certain {{L|Keyframe|keyframes}}. Synfig will take care of interpolating the steps in between.

For example, you could create a {{L|Doc:Creating Shapes|shape}} and add a {{L|Rotate Layer}} over it. Combine this with the lesson learned in the {{L|Doc:Animation Basics|last tutorial}} and you will obtain a rotating effect. This technique is used for the creation of {{L|Doc:Cut-out Animation}}.

Let's continue digging further on {{l|Doc:Creating Shapes|shapes creation}}.

{{Navigation|Category:Manual|Doc:Creating_Shapes}}

Canvas Menu Caret

2016-09-04T16:24:18Z

Fortitude: Changed description to match v.1.0.2 UI.

{{Title|Canvas Menu Caret}}
{{Category|Canvas Window}}
{{Category|Interface}}
{{NewTerminology}}

Whereas most graphics apps have a set of menus at the top of the screen, the top of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_document_interface MDI] window, or the top of the drawing window, Synfig has a '''Caret'''. A sideways one. It is located in the upper left hand corner of the {{l|Category:Canvas Window}}, and looks like this:

{{l|File:Menu Caret 0.63.06.png|center}}

Beneath this button are all the {{l|Category:Main Menu|menus}} you would expect, from which you can access most of Synfig Studio's features:

{{l|File:Menu Caret-1 0.63.06.png|center}}

In v.1.0.2 it may appear as a blank button in the top left.

Doc:Adding Layers

2016-09-04T16:20:46Z

Fortitude: Changed description to match v.1.0.2 UI.

{{Title|Adding Layers}}
{{Navigation|Category:Manual|Doc:Creating_Shapes}}
{{TOCright}}
[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:Tutorials]]
[[Category:Tutorials Basic]]
[[Category:Updated]]
{{NewTerminology}}

== Introduction ==

In the {{l|Doc:Animation_Basics|previous tutorial}}, you made your first simple animation by changing the attributes of {{l|Primitive Layer|primitive}} objects, such as: position, color, and size. These simple types, however, are seldom sufficient to create advanced characters and objects. To do so, Synfig uses {{l|Layer|layers}}. They are similar to layers used in other drawing applications in that they are used to separate different elements of an image.

However, Synfig's layers have following important specific:
# Every object or {{l|Primitive Layer|element}} gets its own layer.
# You can organize layers into hierarchical groups.
# You can use upper layers to change the behavior (or look) of underlying layers. Those are called {{l|Filter Layer|filter layers}} or effect layers.

As you will see, layers are an extremely important aspect of Synfig, much more so than most graphics programs. Understanding the concept of layers is an important part in understanding how Synfig works.

== Combining layers ==

So let's look at a simple example of how we can combine two layers to create a gradient effect on a rectangle.

Create a new file with 0 duration. There's no need to bother with a timeline at this point. Next, create a simple rectangle with the {{l|Rectangle Tool}}.

[[Image:Adding-layers-tutorial-1 0.63.06.png|frame|center]]

Pick the {{l|Gradient Tool|Gradient Tool}} from the {{l|Category:Toolbox|Toolbox}} ({{l|Blend Method Parameter#Composite|Composite}} Blend Method), press the left mouse button on the canvas, drag to change the gradient direction and release the button when you are done. You should note that another layer was added in the {{l|Layers Panel}} called '''Gradient'''. This is nothing special.

[[Image:Adding Layer-tutorial-2 0.63.06.png|frame|center]]

{{Note|Note|If you see no gradient but just a plain color, that means that you probably just clicked on the canvas without dragging your mouse. To fix that pick the {{l|Transform Tool|Transform Tool}}, click into the canvas to activate the gradient's handles. You need to grab the one you see and move it a bit until a gradient appears.}}
You now have a gradient, but it is not what you wanted: it spreads across the whole canvas. The goal was to have a gradient in the rectangle. So, let's fix this now.

In the {{l|Layers Panel}}, select both the gradient and the rectangle layer. Then, right-click and select {{Literal|Group Layer}} from the menu. The view of your Layers Panel should change now, showing a small box called {{l|Group Layer|Group}} with a ▶ in front. By clicking on the ▶ you can expand the group layer to see its contents, your previous two layers: the gradient and the rectangle.

[[Image:Adding Layer-tutorial-3 0.63.06.png|frame|center]]

You can treat this layer like any other layer — move it around, duplicate it, copy and paste it. If you want to change the name of it to something more descriptive, just select the layer in the layer tab and click on its label. Then you just edit it in place. You can do this for ANY layer, and are strongly encouraged to do so.

== Using locality ==
However, there is still a problem: the gradient still covers the whole canvas although we wanted it to be restricted on the rectangle. To do so, activate the gradient layer in the Layers Panel. Now go to the {{l|Parameters Panel}} (by default it resides in the bottom window), and search for the attribute called {{l|Blend_Method_Parameter|Blend Method}}. Double-click the entry and select {{l|Blend_Method_Parameter#Onto|Onto}} from the drop-down menu.

[[Image:Adding Layer-tutorial-4 0.63.06.png|frame|center]]

The gradient should now be restricted to the rectangle. Congratulations! You just made your first effect by interacting layers with Synfig.

[[Image:Adding Layer-tutorial-5 0.63.06.png|frame|center|The gradient is restricted to the rectangle. You will found more informations about the various {{literal|Blend Method}} in the {{l|Blend_Method_Parameter}} documentation.]]

If only for the additional organization, grouping layers dramatically improves the ease of use of Synfig Studio. But lots of programs can do this. The concept of ''scope'' as just demonstrated sets Synfig apart from other programs with layer hierarchies. The key point is that a layer, inside it's own group, will '''only''' modify the data contained by all the layers and groups '''below''' it. In other words, if you were to throw a {{l|Blur Layer}} on top of the layers inside the {{l|Group Layer|group layer}} we created, it would just blur them — anything under the group layer would not be blurred! Let's try it.

== Using layers to modify other layers==
Make sure you have the group layer selected and create two red {{l|Circle Tool|circles}}. They will appear on top of the group layer. Select the group layer and use the {{Literal|Raise Layer}} button in the Layers Panel to place it on top of the circles.

[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-6-raise-layer-0.63.06.png|center|frame]]

Now our group layer (with rectangle and gradient) is in front of those two circles.

[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-7-0.63.06.png|center|frame]]

Expand the group layer to show its contents, and select the top layer inside of it (should be the gradient layer). This is where we want to insert the new layer. Create another circle filled with a black color. The black circle layer will be created over the gradient layer inside the group layer.

[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-8-0.63.06.png|center|frame]]

Now, right click on the black circle layer in the layers panel and a popup menu will appear. The first item in that popup is {{Literal|New Layer}}. Inside of the {{Literal|New Layer}} menu, you'll see several categories of layers you could create, but what we want is a blur, so go to the blurs category and select the {{Literal|Blur}} layer (so that would be {{c|New Layer|Blurs|Blur}}).

[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-11-0.63.06.png|frame|center]]

It blurred! Has the blend method for newly created blur is {{Literal|Straight}} (if the default blend method in the Toolbox is set to {{Literal|By Layer Default}}) it blurred all around the outside edge of the contents of the group layer. You can change the {{l|New Layer Defaults#Default Blend Method|default blend method}} for new layers from the {{l|New Layer Defaults}} section of the Toolbox.

{{Note|Note|In the Synfig version before {{Literal|0.62.02}} , the blend method for newly created blur layers was defaulted to {{Literal|Composite}}, that cause the outside edge of the contents of the group layer is still sharp. What we want is a blend method of {{Literal|Straight}}. Just select the blur layer, and change the Blend Method to {{Literal|Straight}} in the Parameters Panel.
[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-10-composite-blur-0.63.06.png|center|frame]]}}

Ok, now we have all of the contents of the group layer blurred, but everything under it is sharp! This is because the effect of the Blur Layer over the underlying layers is limited to the scope of the group layer because the blur layer is inside it.
You can download the [[File:Doc Adding Layers.sif|sif]] used for this example

== Digging further... ==

If you care to look into Synfig's main menu under {{c|Layer|New Layer}} you will note quite a lot of different possibilities for making layers. Several of them sound rather unusual, like {{c|Transform|Rotate}} for example. You can use this to add new attributes to your objects. And just like other, basic attributes in the {{L|Doc:Animation Basics|previous animation tutorial}}, you can change them to be different on certain {{L|Keyframe|keyframes}}. Synfig will take care of interpolating the steps in between.

For example, you could create a {{L|Doc:Creating Shapes|shape}} and add a {{L|Rotate Layer}} over it. Combine this with the lesson learned in the {{L|Doc:Animation Basics|last tutorial}} and you will obtain a rotating effect. This technique is used for the creation of {{L|Doc:Cut-out Animation}}.

Let's continue digging further on {{l|Doc:Creating Shapes|shapes creation}}.

{{Navigation|Category:Manual|Doc:Creating_Shapes}}

User:Fortitude

2016-09-04T16:17:13Z

Fortitude: /* Sandbox */

== Real Information ==
I joined to fix documentation as I find discrepancies between it and the program. Currently using Synfig Studio 1.0.2.

== Sandbox ==

You can safely ignore anything here.

Right pointing arrow ▶ #x25b6 used for layer groups (collapsed) or small: ▸ #x25b8

Down pointing arrow ▼ #x25bc used for layer groups (open) or small: ▾ #x25be

User:Fortitude

2016-09-04T16:13:20Z

Fortitude: created page

== Real Information ==
I joined to fix documentation as I find discrepancies between it and the program. Currently using Synfig Studio 1.0.2.

== Sandbox ==

You can safely ignore anything here.