Working with Layers

 < Day Day Up > 



A layer is a powerful organizational tool. You can arrange objects (bitmap or vector) on separate layers for easier management. In Figure 15-9 you can see many of the features of the Layers panel. Notice the icon representations of objects, paths, and images.

click to expand
Figure 15-9: The Layers panel

Most graphic applications use layers, but Fireworks works with them in a unique manner. Because Fireworks contains bitmap and vector objects, each object is given its own list layer. Object list layers are placed in layers that are similar to Layer Sets in Photoshop. It's easy to move objects from one layer to another and to add, name, and arrange as many layers as desired.

Notice the Frame 1 button in Figure 15-9 that shows you which frame your objects are on. If you are making rollovers, animations, or storing additional files, you would place objects in different frames. It's a great way to keep track of what is on which frame.

Cross-Reference 

The Frames panel and the use of frames are discussed in Chapter 22.

The Web layer

The Web layer is a special layer in Fireworks and remains at the top of the layers list. You cannot delete, move, or rename it, and there's only one. It has a very unique function — this layer stores only information about slices and hotspots.

Slices and hotspots are Web objects. The primary function of a slice is to name, optimize, and define separate graphics from an entire document. A slice may also contain references to a JavaScripted behavior.

Fireworks, by default, names slices using a seemingly cryptic naming scheme. You can customize the automatic naming by editing the HTML Settings (File®HTML Settings). Better yet, give your slices specific names. You can double-click the slice for any slice or hotspot right in the Web layer and name it there or select it and use the Property inspector. The name will be used on export. Keep in mind that Web files can't contain spaces or special characters in their names. Fireworks supplies the file extension based on your optimization choices.

Cross-Reference 

In Chapter 23 you see how to hide specific slices and why it's a great time-saver to do so.

Adding layers

A new layer is an empty layer with no content. Layers are added above the layer that is currently selected. There are several ways to add new layers, choose one of the following methods:

  • Click the New/Duplicate Layer icon; it is a yellow folder located at the bottom of the Layers panel.

  • Click Insert ® Layer.

  • Click the Layers Options menu and choose New Layer.

Duplicate layers

A duplicate layer contains the same content as the selected layer you duplicated. To duplicate a layer, select a layer, click the Layers Options menu, and select Duplicate layer. When the Duplicate Layer dialog box opens choose where you'd like the layer to be inserted. (See Figure 15-10.) You can also change the number of duplicate layers you want to add.


Figure 15-10: The Duplicate Layer dialog box

Delete a layer

You can delete a layer by using one of these methods:

  • Select the layer you want to delete and press the Delete key on the keyboard.

  • Click and drag the layer on top of the trashcan icon.

  • Select the layer (to select multiple layers or objects press Shift and click) and click the trashcan icon.

Opacity settings in layers

In Figure 15-8, near the top-left corner is an icon with gray and white checks and the number 100 grayed out. This is the opacity setting. You can adjust the opacity for each individual layer and for each individual object on a layer. To change the opacity, select the layer (or object), and type in the opacity number you want or use the slider to adjust the opacity amount.

New Feature 

The Opacity can also be set in the Property inspector.

Showing/hiding layers

To show or hide whole layers (or objects) click the eye icon of any layer or object. If the eye is on, the layer or object is visible in your document. If you click it again it toggles off the visibility.

Lock layers

To lock a layer, click the box to the left of the layer's name. The picture of a lock icon indicates the layer is locked. After a layer is locked, you can't alter anything in that layer. You can't even select it. To lock or unlock all the layers, open the Layers Option menu and choose the appropriate action.

Name a layer

To name a layer or an object, double-click the layer or object name and rename it in the dialog box that opens. If you use the Layers Options menu to add a new layer, a dialog box opens where you name the layer at the time of insertion.

Single layer editing

Single layer editing enables you to work on only one layer without affecting other layers. To use Single Layer Editing mode, open the Layers Options menu, and select Single Layer Editing. After that action, you can select or edit objects on only the current layer.

Share a selected layer

When you develop an animation you will frequently want some of the same images in every frame. The Share a Selected Layer option can be a real time-saver. If you have repeating elements on a layer that you want on all layers, all you have to do is to select the layer, open the Layers Options menu, and choose Share this Layer.



 < Day Day Up > 



Macromedia Studio MX Bible
Macromedia Studio MX Bible
ISBN: 0764525239
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 491

flylib.com © 2008-2017.
If you may any questions please contact us: flylib@qtcs.net