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Revision Date: 15 January 2023

Layers Menu

The commands in this menu only affect the active layer, as chosen in the Layers Window.

Many of these actions have keyboard shortcuts. Some are also present as icons located at the bottom of the Layers Window.

Layers Menu
Layers Menu

For an in-depth discussion of layers and layering concepts, see the Working with Layers section.

Add New Layer Add New Layer

This adds a new, completely transparent layer to the image immediately above the active layer. The new layer will be given a generic name "Layer X" by default.  X denotes the layer number - hence it is always a unique identifier.

New layers are filled with transparent black pixels (i.e. ARGB #00000000).

It is possible (and highly recommended) to change the default name to accurately reflect the contents of the layer (see Layer Properties below).

Delete Layer Delete Layer

This deletes the active layer from the image. As all images must have at least one layer, the last remaining layer cannot be deleted.

Duplicate Layer Duplicate Layer

This makes an exact copy of the active layer, including its contents, attributes and properties. The new layer will be named uniquely following the pattern described above (see Add New Layer).

Merge Layer Down Merge Layer Down

Takes the active layer and combines or merges it into the layer immediately below it in the Layers Window list.
 

Toggle Layer Visibility Toggle Layer Visibility

Swaps the layer visibility state between visible and hidden (and back again). This has the same functionality as checking and unchecking the layer visibility checkbox.
 


Import From File icon Import From File

This command allows one or more external image files to be imported as one or more new layers.

When invoked, the command opens a file selector dialog to allow a file to be chosen. Once a file is selected, the image is imported into the current image as a new layer or layers.

Note that the canvas may be enlarged to accommodate new the image size if it is larger than the current canvas. This happens automatically as required.
 


Flip Horizontal Flip Horizontal

This command flips the active layer so left becomes right and vice versa.

Flip Vertical Flip Vertical

This flips the active layer so the top becomes bottom and vice versa.

Rotate 180° Rotate 180°

Rotates the active layer by 180 degrees.

Rotate / Zoom Rotate / Zoom

This command allows the active layer to be rotated, panned and enlarged or reduced.  For an in-depth discussion of this set of tools, see the Rotate/Zoom Tool section.
 


Go to Top Layer Go to Top Layer

Shifts the editing focus to the upper most layer in the Layers Window list.

Go to Layer Above Go to Layer Above

Shifts the editing focus to the layer immediately above the current one.

Go to Layer Below Go to Layer Below

Shifts the editing focus to the layer immediately beneath the current one.

Go to Bottom Layer Go to Bottom Layer

Shifts the editing focus to the lowest layer in the Layers Window list,
 


Move Layer to Top Move Layer to Top

Moves the active layer to the top of the layer stack i.e. the top position in the Layers Window list.

Move Layer up Move Layer Up

Moves the active layer up one position in the layer stack.

Move Layer Down Move Layer Down

Moves the active layer one position lower in the layer stack.

Move Layer to Bottom Move Layer to Bottom

Moves the active layer to the bottom of the layer stack i.e. the lowest position in the Layers Window list.
 


Layer Properties icon Layer Properties

This icon opens the Properties Dialog for the active layer.

In this dialog the layer name, visibility, blend mode and opacity can all be set.  The same dialog can be opened by pressing the F4 key.

Layer Properties Dialog
Layer Properties Dialog

Tip

Open the Properties Dialog for the active layer by pressing the F4 key or double-clicking on the layer name in the Layers Window.

For more information about Blend Modes, see the Blend Modes section.