About layers

Layers allow you to edit and design using a non-destructive methodology. This gives you maximum flexibility for your projects.

About layers

What are layers?

You can think of layers as being like sheets of paper that are stacked one on top of the other. Transparent areas of a layer reveal the layer below, while opaque parts of a layer obscure the layers below.

All layer management is carried out from the Layers panel.

Here are some important points regarding layers:

Before
After
The effect of layer order on a document.

Types of layer

There are several types of layers that can be created. Each type is identified on the Layers panel with a unique icon, shown at the beginning of the layer entry.

Panel icon Description
Pixel layer iconPixel—containing raster content where pixel-based editing takes place.
Image layer iconImage—self-contained placed images that retain the original image data including the colour profile.
Mask layer iconMask—defines what content is hidden to reveal layers beneath.
Compound mask layer iconCompound Mask—combine multiple masks using Boolean operations.
Adjustment layer iconAdjustment—used to correct or enhance the layers beneath.
Live Filter layer iconLive Filter—used to apply creative filter effects to the layers beneath.
Fill layer iconFill—contains an adjustable solid or gradient colour.
Shape layer iconShape—for geometric shapes created with shape tools.
Curve layer iconCurve—for open curves and closed shapes drawn with Pen Tool or Pencil Tool.
Artistic text layer iconArtistic Text—for scalable text.
Frame text layer iconFrame Text—for story text contained within a frame.
Path text layer iconPath Text—for text that follows an open curve or a shape's outline.
Shape text layer iconShape Text—for text contained within a shape.
Empty group layer iconEmpty group—an empty group container for containing multiple objects as a single object.
Document layer iconLinked/Embedded document—placed non-native documents (such as PDF, PSD, SVG, EPS) and native Affinity documents (afphoto, afdesign and afpub) files.
Pattern layer iconPattern—applies a pattern that is repeated across the entire document.

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