Introduction to Layers and Types

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==Introduction==
 
==Introduction==
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Synfig, like most every other competent graphics program, breaks down individual elements of a {{l|Canvas}} into Layers. However, it differs from other programs in two major ways:
 
Synfig, like most every other competent graphics program, breaks down individual elements of a {{l|Canvas}} into Layers. However, it differs from other programs in two major ways:
  
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There are basically three types of layers:
 
There are basically three types of layers:
  
# Layers that add content. Usually called primitives. They are mainly grouped into the Geometry group of layers but there are others that just add content to the canvas and aren't real primitives (Text, Plant, Metaballs etc.). Those layers can produce content without any layer below them just using the {{l|Doc:Blend Method Parameter#Composite|composite blend method}}.
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# Layers that add content. Usually called {{l|Primitives|primitives}}. They are mainly grouped into the Geometry group of layers but there are others that just add content to the canvas and aren't real primitives (Text, Plant, Metaballs etc.). Those layers can produce content without any layer below them just using the {{l|Doc:Blend Method Parameter#Composite|composite blend method}}.
# Layers that add content but based on layers below it. Those layers take the render result that are below them and doing a transformationm filter or whatever, produce a modified version of the {{l|Doc:Context|context}} and composite the result over it using the blend method of the layer. Example layers of that type are: Blur layer, Shadow layer, Bevel layer, etc. Thsy cannot prouce any content if there are not any layer below it.
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# Layers that add content but based on the layers that are below it. Those layers take the render result that are below them, and performing a transformation, filter or whatever, produce a modified version of the {{l|Doc:Context|context}} and then composite the result over it using the blend method of the layer. Example layers of that type are: Blur layer, Shadow layer, Bevel layer, etc. They cannot produce any content if there are not any layer below it.
# Layers that doesn't add content, just replace the render of the context by a transformed version of it. Layers of this type need a context to modify it and replace in the current canvas context. They are called Filters or Transformations. Examples of those layers ate the Color Correct layer, Rotate layer, Zoom layer, etc.
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# Layers that doesn't add content, just replace the render of the context by a transformed version of it. Layers of this type need a context to modify it and replace in the current canvas context. They are called {{l|Filters}} or {{l|Transformations}}. Examples of those layers ate the Color Correct layer, Rotate layer, Zoom layer, etc.
  
 
Each layer has a set of {{l|parameter|parameters}} which determine how it behaves. When you click on a layer (either in the canvas window, or in the {{l|Layers Panel}}), you will see its parameters in the {{l|Params Panel}}.
 
Each layer has a set of {{l|parameter|parameters}} which determine how it behaves. When you click on a layer (either in the canvas window, or in the {{l|Layers Panel}}), you will see its parameters in the {{l|Params Panel}}.
  
This is the list of all the {{l|Layers|layers}} availables in Synfig.
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This is the list of all the {{l|Layers|layers}} available in Synfig.

Revision as of 20:27, 9 September 2009

Manual

Introduction

Synfig, like most every other competent graphics program, breaks down individual elements of a Canvas into Layers. However, it differs from other programs in two major ways:

  1. An individual layer in Synfig usually represents a single "Primitive". ie. a single region, an outline of a region, an imported JPEG, etc... This allows you to have a great deal of flexibility and control. It is not uncommon for a composition to have hundreds of layers (organized into a hierarchy for artist sanity of course).
  2. A layer can not only composite information on top of the image below it, but also distort and/or modify it in some other way. In this sense, Synfig Layers act much like filters do in Adobe Photoshop or The GIMP. For example, we have a Blur Layer, Radial Blur Layer, Spherical Distortion Layer, color-correct layer, bevel layer, etc...

There are basically three types of layers:

  1. Layers that add content. Usually called primitives. They are mainly grouped into the Geometry group of layers but there are others that just add content to the canvas and aren't real primitives (Text, Plant, Metaballs etc.). Those layers can produce content without any layer below them just using the composite blend method.
  2. Layers that add content but based on the layers that are below it. Those layers take the render result that are below them, and performing a transformation, filter or whatever, produce a modified version of the context and then composite the result over it using the blend method of the layer. Example layers of that type are: Blur layer, Shadow layer, Bevel layer, etc. They cannot produce any content if there are not any layer below it.
  3. Layers that doesn't add content, just replace the render of the context by a transformed version of it. Layers of this type need a context to modify it and replace in the current canvas context. They are called Filters or Transformations. Examples of those layers ate the Color Correct layer, Rotate layer, Zoom layer, etc.

Each layer has a set of parameters which determine how it behaves. When you click on a layer (either in the canvas window, or in the Layers Panel), you will see its parameters in the Params Panel.

This is the list of all the layers available in Synfig.