Quick links to procedures on this page:

Getting Started with Layers

You can manage layers by using the Layers panel, and modify layers by using the Layer Adjuster tool. You can also create, name, save, and delete layers.

Layer Basics

In Corel Painter, layers are objects that contain image data. Because each layer is a distinct object, you can move it around and edit it without interfering with the image data on the canvas or other layers. Likewise, you can work on the canvas without interfering with any of the other layers. When you work with layers, you use the Layers panel and the Layer Adjuster tool.

The Layers Panel

All layers in a document are listed in the Layers panel. The Layers panel manages the hierarchy of layers and includes controls for selecting, hiding, deleting, naming, and grouping layers.

You can access many layer functions and commands using the buttons at the bottom of the panel, and the Layers menu.

The Layers panel displays icons that identify layer types and characteristics. The following table lists the icons that appear in the Layers panel.

Icon	Description
	Canvas layer
	Reference layer
	Layer group
	Expanded group
	Visible layer
	Hidden layer

The Navigator panel displays information about the dimensions and position of layer content. For more information, refer to Navigating Images and Viewing Image Information.

To display the Layers panel

•

Choose Window Layers.

To convert to a default layer

2

Click the Layer Options button , and choose Convert to Default Layer.

The Layer Adjuster Tool

With the Layer Adjuster tool, you can select and work with layers. When you choose the Layer Adjuster tool from the toolbox, the property bar contains options for selecting layers automatically and for changing a layer’s position in the hierarchy. For information, see Selecting Layers and Changing Layer Hierarchy.

You can also cut, copy, paste, and duplicate layers using the Layer Adjuster tool. For more information, see Creating Layers.

Creating Layers

You can create new layers directly from the Layers panel. You can also duplicate layers and copy layers between documents.

How you create a layer determines its place in the layer hierarchy in the Layers panel. When you create a layer, the new layer is placed directly above the selected layer in the panel. If the selected layer belongs to a group, the new layer is added to the group. If a group of layers is selected, the layer is placed above the group. For more information, see Grouping Layers.

Another way to create a layer is to base it on a selection. To do this, you can copy or convert the contents of a selection to a new layer. For more information, see Creating Selections.

To create a new layer

To	Do the following
Create a layer	In the Layers panel, click the New Layer button .

To duplicate or copy and paste a layer

1

Choose the Layer Adjuster tool from the toolbox.

2

On the property bar, click the Auto Select Layer button .

To	Do the following
Duplicate a layer	In the document window, hold down Option (Mac OS) or Alt (Windows), and click the layer. A duplicate layer is created on top of the original layer. Drag the new layer to reveal the original layer in the document window.
Copy a layer between documents	In the document window, select a layer, and do one of the following: •   In the document window, drag the layer to another document. •   Choose Edit Copy, display the other document, and then choose Edit Paste.

You can also paste a copied layer from the Clipboard to a new document by choosing Edit Paste Into New Image.

To create a layer based on a selection

To	Do the following
Convert the selection to a layer	Choose Select Float or click the selection with the Layer Adjuster tool .
Convert, cut, and move the selection to layer	Drag the selection with the Layer Adjuster tool .
Copy the selection to a layer	Hold down Option (Mac OS) or Alt (Windows), and click the selection with the Layer Adjuster tool .
Copy and move the selection to a layer	Hold down Option (Mac OS) or Alt (Windows), and drag the selection with the Layer Adjuster tool .

Naming Layers

Corel Painter assigns each layer or group a default name when you create it. This name references the object’s type and creation order. For example, layers are titled Layer 1, Layer 2, and so on.

As you add more layers and groups to a document, it can become difficult to remember which image data each layer contains. By assigning descriptive names to layers and groups, you can easily keep track of the separate pieces of an image.

To name a layer or group

You can also rename a layer by clicking the Layer Options button , choosing Layer Attributes, and typing a name in the Name box.

Saving Files That Contain Layers

You can save your Corel Painter document in the RIFF format with “live” layers — the layers continue to function when you reopen the file. RIFF is the only format that preserves layers in their original state.

If you save a Corel Painter document in PSD (Photoshop) format, all layers convert to standard Photoshop transparent layers. Photoshop does not preserve groups; each layer in a group becomes its own Photoshop layer. For information about grouping layers in Corel Painter, refer to Grouping Layers.

If you save a file to a file format other than RIFF or PSD, the layers drop (or merge) into a single background image.

Deleting Layers

You can delete layers from the Layers panel, but you cannot delete the canvas.

To delete a layer

•

Click the Delete button at the bottom of the Layers panel.

•

Click the Layer Options button , and choose Delete Layer.

Some features described in the Help are available only in Corel Painter 12, and are not included in Painter Lite. Visit www.corel.com/painter for more information about Corel Painter 12.

Copyright 2012 Corel Corporation. All rights reserved.