Work with Layers Layers are fundamental to creating and editing images. Use layers to add elements to your images, create artistic effects and illustrations, and make editing images easier. You can add or delete layers, rearrange their stacking order (the order from top to bottom), and change the opacity and visibility. Each layer remains independent; you can edit it without affecting the others. There are 3 types of layers in Pop Art Studio: Background, Raster and Vector Layers.  Background layer The background layer is the bottom layer of an image. It is named 'Background' on the Layers palette. When you open file formats such as JPEG, GIF, or PNG into Pop Art Studio, they are one layer, the background layer. The background layer is a raster layer.  Raster layers Raster layers are layers that contain raster data. Raster data is composed of individual elements, called pixels, arranged in a grid. Each pixel has a specific location and color. Photographic images are composed of raster data. You can copy an image or part of an image to the clipboard and paste it as a new layer. The effects commands, the painting tools, and many other tools apply only to raster layers.  Vector layers Vector objects are composed of geometric characteristics: location, rotation angle, line width, line style, fill color. When you edit vector objects and text, you edit these characteristics, rather than editing individual pixels. Vector graphics and vector text maintain their clarity and detail when scaled to any size or printed at any resolution. Use vector layers to create objects or text that you can easily edit. The effects commands, the painting tools, and many other tools do NOT apply to vector objects. Layer groups Layer Groups are a great way to get your layers organized. A layer group allows you to move and resize, rotate and show or hide several layers all at once. Choosing Raster or Vector In Pop Art Studio, you create and edit raster and vector data on separate layers. With some tools you create raster data (like brush strokes with the Paint tool) and with other tools (like the Text and Shapes tools) you create vector data. Select a Vector Layer, press the right mouse button and click 'Convert to Raster Layer' to convert your Layer Group or Vector Layer into a Raster Layer. Step 1: Open a layered image Open a layered image in pas format or open a template from the Template Library. In the menu click File > Open > File (Ctrl+O) or File > Open > Template Library (Ctrl+Shift+O). Alternatively, you can create a new image and add some layers to your image. Step 2: The Layers Palette In the Layers Palette click on the layer you want to work with. The layer will turn bright blue, to show that it's selected. You can hide layers to help you focus on the layer that need to be edited or to allow you to work in multiple directions while not destroying any of your work. On the Layers palette, click on the checkbox next to the icon to show or hide a layer or group. Step 3: Customize the layers Customize your layers. Press the right mouse button and click 'Text...' to modify your text. Click 'Background...' to modify your shape or background. Move the layers and layer groups around. You can even move layers and groups outside the image boundaries. Press the right mouse button and click 'Apply' or 'Cancel' to commit or undo your changes. Press the right mouse button and click 'Apply to Background' to draw a layer or group on the background layer. Step 4: Save your image Save your image in Pop Art Studio (.pas) file format. If you choose to save the image in a different file format you will flatten the image and lose all the layer information. For comments, questions and suggestions, please send email to: contact@fotoview.nl.