Layer basics
Layers stack pixels per frame. Each layer has its own pixel buffer, opacity, blend mode, visibility, and lock state. They compose bottom-up: the layer at the top of the panel renders on top of everything below.
Where to find it
Right panel → Layers tab. The list shows the layers of the active frame. Each frame has its own independent layer stack.
Anatomy of a layer row
| Element | What it does |
|---|---|
| Grip handle (left) | Drag to reorder. The first layer in the list is the topmost. |
| Eye | Toggle visibility |
| Lock | Toggle lock — locked layers can't be edited, drawn on, or selected by tools |
| Chain | Toggle link across frames |
| Name | Single-click activates the layer; double-click renames |
| Opacity badge | Appears when opacity < 100% |
The active layer is highlighted in purple. All drawing tools target the active layer.
Multi-selection
| Click | Effect |
|---|---|
| Plain | Activate that layer (clears multi-selection) |
| Ctrl-click | Toggle layer in/out of multi-selection |
| Shift-click | Range-select between active and clicked |
Multi-selected layers show a fainter purple background. They're the input for right-click → Group / Move to group / Cut / Copy / Paste / Delete — see Layer groups. The same row also accepts the panel-scoped clipboard shortcuts (Ctrl+C / Ctrl+X / Ctrl+V / Delete) when the panel has keyboard focus — see shortcuts.
Solo mode
Alt-click the eye icon on any layer to solo it — only that layer renders on the canvas, everything else is hidden. The eye turns amber. Alt-click again to unsolo. Alt-click a different layer's eye to swap.
Solo is a view filter — layer.visible is never modified. Switching projects or refreshing the page resets it.
Soloing also works on group headers (alt-click the group's eye) — only that group's members render.
Header buttons
At the top of the Layers panel:
- + — add a new layer above the active one
- +folder — create a layer group containing the active layer
- Copy — duplicate the active layer (and its pixels)
- Trash — delete the active layer (disabled when only one layer remains)
Per-layer settings
Below the layer list, when a layer is active you'll see:
- Opacity — slider 0–100%. Applied at compose time; doesn't bake into the buffer.
- Blend mode — Normal / Multiply / Screen.
| Blend mode | Effect |
|---|---|
| Normal | Standard alpha blending. The most common case. |
| Multiply | Output = top × bottom. Darkens. Useful for shadow layers. |
| Screen | Output = 1 − (1−top)(1−bottom). Lightens. Useful for highlight passes / glow. |
Drag-reorder
Hold the grip on the left of any row and drag up/down. The cursor previews the new position. Drop to commit. Reorder is one undo entry; pixel buffers stay associated with their layer, so visual content moves with the row.
Common workflow
A typical sprite stacking pattern:
- Background layer at the bottom (skin, base shape) — stays the same across frames if you link it.
- Shading layer above (shadow / highlight overlays).
- Detail layer (eyes, mouth, accessories).
- Outline layer at the very top (1-pixel black silhouette).
Lock the layers you're not actively editing to avoid accidental strokes.
Tips
- Use Custom brushes on a separate layer for clean experimentation — you can delete the layer if you don't like the result.
- The lock icon prevents drawing but doesn't hide the layer — useful for reference patterns and finished pieces.
- Opacity affects the rendered output but not the pixel buffer — you can crank it back to 100% any time.
- Blend modes cascade through layer groups: a group has its own opacity / blend mode that wraps its members' composite.
Related
- Layer groups — folders with their own opacity & blend
- Layer linking — share a layer's pixels across frames
- Frames & timeline