In Synfig, you change the rendering order of layers primarily by adjusting their position within the Layers panel. Additionally, you can control which layer is visible using a Switch Layer, as highlighted in the provided reference.
Adjusting Layer Stacking Order
The most common way to change the order in which layers are rendered (which determines what is visible on top of what) is through the Layers panel.
- Drag and Drop: Simply click and drag a layer up or down within the list in the Layers panel. Layers listed higher are rendered on top of layers listed lower.
- Grouping: You can group layers together. Reordering groups affects the order of all layers within that group relative to other groups or layers. You can also reorder layers within a group.
Using the Layers Panel
Here's a quick overview of manipulating layers in the panel:
- Locate the Layers panel, usually on the right side of the Synfig window.
- Find the layer you want to move.
- Click and hold the layer name.
- Drag the layer upwards or downwards in the list. A line will indicate where the layer will be placed when you release the mouse button.
- Release the mouse button to drop the layer in its new position.
Changing the order here directly affects the visual hierarchy of your animation.
Controlling Visibility with a Switch Layer
While the Layers panel determines the standard stacking order, a Switch Layer offers a way to dynamically control which of its child layers is visible at a specific time, effectively changing the displayed layer.
According to the reference:
"Name. If i click here i will see a list of all the layers that are within the switch. And i just click on the one that i want to be displayed. And it will just switch switch to that particular layer."
This indicates that a Switch Layer acts as a container for other layers. You can select which child layer is currently active or visible through the Switch layer's parameters, often via a dropdown list displaying the names of the layers contained within it. This is useful for creating sequences where only one item from a set needs to be shown at a time (like different mouth shapes for dialogue or different states of an object).
Layers Panel vs. Switch Layer
Here's a comparison of how these methods affect layer order/visibility:
| Feature | Layers Panel (Dragging) | Switch Layer (Selecting Child) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Sets the static rendering stack order | Controls which child layer is currently visible |
| Affected Layers | Any layer or group in the canvas | Only layers placed inside the Switch Layer |
| Control Method | Dragging layers up/down the list | Selecting a layer from a list in the Switch Layer's parameters |
| Result | Changes which layers appear on top of others | Changes which single layer within the group is displayed |
In summary, you change the overall stacking order of layers in Synfig by rearranging them in the Layers panel. You use a Switch Layer to manage the visibility of multiple layers within a group, displaying only one at a time based on a parameter selection.
