Corel Painter Help | Working with reference layers

Some features described in the Help are available only in Corel Painter 2018, and are not included in Painter Essentials 6. For more information about Corel Painter 2018, visit http://www.painterartist.com/. To get started with Painter Essentials 6, see the Painter Essentials 6 Quick Start Guide.

Quick links to procedures on this page:

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To create a reference layer

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To modify a reference layer

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To commit a reference layer

Working with reference layers

Reference layers get their image content from an external source — either a pixel-based layer in the current document or a separate file. They provide a low-resolution representation of the original image that you can quickly manipulate in ways that would otherwise require more time. Working with a reference layer allows you to resize, rotate, or slant a layer onscreen by dragging its handles. The changes are immediately displayed in the document window. When you finish making changes, you can commit the reference layer back to a standard layer. Corel Painter examines the source image to restore the original resolution.

You cannot edit the image data in a reference layer. If you try to paint on or apply effects to a reference layer, Corel Painter prompts you to commit it back to a pixel-based layer.

You can create a reference layer by basing it on an existing layer or by placing an image. For more information, see Opening and placing files.

To create a reference layer

Select a layer.

Choose Layers

Convert To Reference Layer.

The layer’s icon in the Layers panel changes to an eight-handled shape

, and an eight-handled box marks the boundary of the layer’s contents in the document window.

To modify a reference layer

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Select a reference layer.

To	Do the following
Resize a reference layer in one direction	Drag a side handle.
Resize a reference layer in more than one direction at once	Drag a corner handle. If you want to maintain the layer proportions, hold down Shift as you drag. The pointer changes when you position it over a corner handle .
Rotate a reference layer	Hold down Command (macOS) or Ctrl (Windows), and drag a corner handle. The pointer changes when you position it over a corner handle .
Skew a reference layer	Hold down Command (macOS) or Ctrl (Windows), and drag a side handle. The pointer changes when you position it over a side handle .

To commit a reference layer

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In the Layers panel, right-click a reference layer, and click Convert To Default Layer.

The conversion process might take a few seconds, depending on the size and quality of the layer.

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