View source for Z Depth Parameter

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{{Title|Z Depth}}
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{{Category|Parameters}}
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{{note|Warning, [http://www.synfig.org/issues/thebuggenie/synfig/issues/868 actually] broken in some cases|[http://www.synfig.org/issues/thebuggenie/synfig/issues/868 Bug report #868]  -  Z-Depth not affected by time offset :  a layer z depth parameter animation is not affected by a time offset manipulation of the group is included to. }}
This parameter can be used to change the 'depth' (order) of a layer in the layer stack, or of a Bone in a {{l|Skeleton Layer}}.

By default, each canvas gives its layers zdepths which depend on their order in the canvas. The first layer has a depth of 0, the 2nd has a depth of 1, and so on.

Zdepth may be thought of as an indication of the distance to an observer: layers with a lower zdepth are 'nearer' to an observer than layers with a higher zdepth.

The Z Depth parameter on each layer can be used to adjust this default depth. The value of the Z Depth parameter is added to the layer's 'natural' depth, given by its order in its canvas.

For example, suppose we have 2 layers, first a circle, and then a rectangle. The circle will have a 'natural' depth of 0, and the rectangle's will be 1, so the circle will be drawn on top of the rectangle.

If we use the parameters dialog to set the rectangle's zdepth to -2, however, -2 will be added to its natural depth of 1, giving a new depth of -1, and so it will be drawn above the circle.

The parameter can be animated, so that layers change order throughout the animation.

Here's an example which shows the Z Depth parameter being animated to bring one circle in front of another at a certain point in time:  

{{l|Image:Offset-z-depth-revisited.gif}}
{{l|Media:Offset-z-depth-revisited.sifz|source sif file}}

== Too Much Detail ==

If you want to see a more complex Z depth order animation and an explanation to how it was done please watch this animation and this PDF file.

Animation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTpSfUthuVE

Project : ''{{File:Zdepth-balls.sifz}}'' [[File:Zdepth-balls.sifz]]

Explanatory PDF file: http://www.darthfurby.com/genete/synfig/Balls.pdf

Same file but ODT format: http://www.darthfurby.com/genete/synfig/Ballsv2.odt