Layers
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Contents
Introduction
Synfig, like most every other competent graphics program, breaks down individual elements of a Canvas into Layers. However, it differs from other programs in two major ways:
- An individual layer in Synfig usually represents a single "Primitive". ie. a single region, an outline of a region, an imported JPEG, etc... This allows you to have a great deal of flexibility and control. It is not uncommon for a composition to have hundreds of layers (organized into a hierarchy for artist sanity of course).
- A layer can not only composite information on top of the image below it, but also distort and/or modify it in some other way. In this sense, Synfig Layers act much like filters do in Adobe Photoshop or The GIMP. For example, we have a Blur Layer, Radial Blur Layer, Spherical Distortion Layer, color-correct layer, bevel layer, etc...
Each layer has a set of {{l|parameter|parameters]] which determine how it behaves. When you click on a layer (either in the canvas window, or in the {{l|Layers Panel]]), you will see its parameters in the {{l|Params Panel]].
The following layer types are available in synfig:
Blurs
{{l|Blur Layer|Blur]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Size | Size of Blur |
Type | Type of blur to use |
Example: ( youtube corresponding sif file )
{{l|Motion Blur Layer|Motion Blur]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Aperture | Shutter Time |
{{l|Radial Blur Layer|Radial Blur]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Origin | Point where you want the origin to be |
Size | Size of blur |
Fade Out |
Example: ( youtube corresponding sif file )
Distortions
{{l|Inside Out Layer|Inside Out]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Origin | Defines the where the center will be |
{{l|Noise Distort Layer|Noise Distort]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Displacement | How much the distortion is displaced form its original position. |
Size | How much separated are two consecutive distortions . |
Random Seed | Defines the random generator number seed. |
Interpolation | What type of interpolation to use |
Detail | Lower/higher values produces less/more detailed distortions. |
Animation Speed | In times per second, defines the frequency of change of the distortion. |
Turbulent | When checked it produces turbulent distortions. |
Example: ( youtube corresponding sif file )
{{l|Spherize Layer|Spherize]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Position | The center (or axis) of the distortion. |
Radius | Defines the radious of the distortion (spherize) or a half of the bar (vertical or horizontal bar) |
Amount | Defines how much convex (positive) or concave (negative) the distortion is |
Clip | When checked it only distorts inside the Radious area. |
Distort Type | The direction of the distortion (spherize, horizontal bar, vertical bar). |
Example: ( youtube corresponding sif file )
{{l|Stretch Layer|Stretch]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Amount | Its distance to Center defines how much the image is stretched or is shrunk |
Center | The position from where the distortion is made. |
Example: ( youtube corresponding sif file )
{{l|Twirl Layer|Twirl]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Center | The position of the twirl distortion. |
Radius | This is the radius of the circle of the twirl distortion |
Rotations | Defines how many rotations (in DEG) the twirl produces. |
Distort Inside | Defines if the distortion is produced inside the radious area. |
Distort Outside | Defines if the distortion is produced outside the radious area. |
Example: ( youtube corresponding sif file )
{{l|Warp Layer|Warp]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Source TL | Top Left point of the source to warp. |
Source BR | Bottom Right point of the source to warp. |
Dest TL | Top Left point of the destination where to warp. |
Dest TR | Top Right point of the destination where to warp. |
Dest BR | Bottom Right point of the destination where to warp. |
Dest BL | Bottom Left point of the destination where to warp. |
Clip | When checked it only renders what is inside the source rectangle. |
Horizon | A number to define when to stop rendering when do a perspective warp. High values produces far horizons. |
Example: ( youtube corresponding sif file )
Filters
{{l|Clamp Layer|Clamp]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Invert Negative | |
Clamp Ceiling | |
Ceiling | |
Floor |
{{l|Color Correct Layer|Color Correct]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Hue Adjust | |
Brightness | |
Contrast | |
Exposure Adjust | |
Gamma Adjustment |
{{l|Halftone 2 Layer|Halftone 2]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Mask Offset | |
Mask Angle | |
Mask Size | |
Light Color | |
Dark Color | |
Type |
{{l|Halftone 3 Layer|Halftone 3]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Mask Size | |
Type | |
Subtractive Flag | |
<Channel Name>Color | |
<Channel Name>Mask Offset | |
<Channel Name>Mask Angle |
{{l|Luma Key Layer|Luma Key]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Color | Color of checkers |
Offset | |
Size | Size of checkers |
Fractals
{{l|Julia Set Layer|Julia Set]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Inside Color | Color of the Set |
Outside Color | Color outside the Set |
Color Shift | |
Iterations | |
Seed Point | |
Bailout ValueBase | |
Distort Inside | |
Shade Inside | |
Solid Inside | |
Invert Inside | |
Color Inside | |
Distort Outside | |
Shade Outside | |
Solid Outside | |
Invert Outside | |
Color Outside | |
Color Cycle | |
Smooth Outside | Smooth the coloration outside the set |
Break Set | Modify equation to achieve interesting results |
{{l|Mandelbrot Set Layer|Mandelbrot Set]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Iterations | |
Bailout ValueBase | |
Break Set | Modify equation to achieve interesting results |
Distort Inside | |
Shade Inside | |
Solid Inside | |
Invert Inside | |
Gradient Inside | |
Offset Inside | |
Loop Inside | |
Distort Outside | |
Shade Outside | |
Solid Outside | |
Invert Outside | |
Gradient outside | |
Smooth Outside | Smooth the coloration outside the set |
Offset Outside | |
Scale Outside |
Geometry
Common Parameters
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Z Depth | Relative displacement of the depth of the layer inside the canvas |
Amount | Overall alpha amount of the layer. |
Blend Method | Type of blend method. |
{{l|Checkerboard Layer|Checkerboard]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Color | Color of checkers. |
Offset | Displacement of the checkboard origin. |
Size | Size of checkers. |
{{l|Circle Layer|Circle]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Color | Circle's color. |
Radius | Circle's radious. |
Feather | Circle feather amount. |
Center | Circle's center. |
Invert | Invert the circle |
Falloff | Determines the falloff function for the feather |
{{l|Outline Layer|Outline]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Color | Outline's color. |
Offset | Displacement of the Outline from the (0,0). |
Invert | When checked it inverts alpha results of the layer. |
Antialiasing | When checked it produces antialiased renders for the layer. |
Feather | Outline feather amount. |
Type of Feather | Defines the type of feather. |
Winding Style. | Defines overlapping behavior. |
Vertices | A list of BLine Points |
Outline Width | Default widths of the points. |
Expand | Defines a value to add to the Outline width. |
Sharp Cusps | When chekced it produces sharp corners. |
Rounded Begin | Round off the begin tip |
Rounded End | Round off the end tip |
Loopyness | |
Homogeneous |
{{l|Polygon Layer|Polygon]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Vector List | A list of Vector points. |
{{l|Rectangle Layer|Rectangle]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Color | Rectangle's color. |
Point 1 | Position of the first point of the diagonal |
Point 2 | Position of the second point of the diagonal. |
Expand amount | Amount of expansion around the rectangle's edge. |
Invert the rectangle | If checked on inverts the alpha value of the layer. |
{{l|Region Layer|Region]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Color | Region's color. |
Offset | Displacement of the Region from the (0,0). |
Invert | When checked it inverts alpha results of the layer. |
Antialiasing | When checked it produces antialiased renders for the layer. |
Feather | Outline feather amount. |
Type of Feather | Defines the type of feather. |
Winding Style. | Defines overlapping behavior. |
Vertices | A list of BLine Points |
{{l|Solid Color Layer|Solid Color]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Color |
{{l|Star Layer|Star]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Outer Radius | The radius of the outer points in the star |
Inner Radius | The radius of the inner points in the star |
Angle | The orientation of the star |
Points | The number of points in the star |
Gradients
{{l|Conical Gradient Layer|Conical Gradient]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Gradient | The gradient that's going to be mapped to the cone. |
Center | The center of the cone. |
Angle | The angle where the beginning and the end of the gradient join. |
Symmetric | Cheked on produces a symmetrical gradient. |
{{l|Curve Gradient Layer|Curve Gradient]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Offset | Relative displacement of the gradient respect to the BLine. |
Width | Default width of the gradient. |
Vertices | A list of BLine Points |
Gradient | The gradient parameter |
Loop | If chekced on produces a looped gradient. |
ZigZag | When checked on it produces a double gradient. |
Perpendicular | If chekced on it produces a perpendicular gradient to BLine instead of parallel. |
Fast | When cheked on it produces a faster render but less accurate gradient. |
{{l|Linear Gradient Layer|Linear Gradient]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Point 1 | First point of he gradient. |
Point 2 | Second point of the gradient. |
Gradient | The gradient parameter |
Loop | If chekced on produces a looped gradient. |
ZigZag | When checked on it produces a double gradient. |
{{l|Noise Gradient Layer|Noise Gradient]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Gradient | The gradient parameter. |
Random Seed | Defines the random generator number seed. |
Size | How much separated are two consecutive distortions |
Interpolation | What type of interpolation to use |
Detail | Lower/higher values produces less/more detailed distortions. |
Animation Speed | In times per second, defines the frequency of change of the distortion. |
Turbulent | When checked on it produces turbulent distortions. |
Do Alpha | |
Super Sampling | When chekced on produces more accurate results but slower renders. |
{{l|Radial Gradient Layer|Radial Gradient]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Gradient | The gradient parameter |
Center | The center of the radial gradient. |
Radius | This is the radius of the circle. |
Loop | When cheked on it produces a looped gradient. |
Zig-Zag | When checked on it produces a double gradient. |
{{l|Spiral Gradient Layer|Spiral Gradient]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Gradient | The gradient parameter |
Center | The center of the spiral gradient. |
Radius | This is the radius of the circle |
Angle | The amount of rotations of the spiral. |
Clockwise | When cheked on/off produces clockwise/counter-clockwise spiral gradient. |
Other
{{l|Duplicate Layer|Duplicate]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Index | Copy Index |
{{l|Import Image Layer|Import Image]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Filename | File to import |
Time Offset | Time offset used for image sequence import. |
{{l|Paste Canvas Layer|Paste Canvas]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Origin | Point where you want the origin to be. |
Canvas | Canvas to paste |
Zoom | Amplification of the canvas (around the origin?) |
Time Offset | Time to rewind (negative) or fast forward (positive) the animation of the canvas |
Children Lock | When checked on you cannot select a child layer by clicking on it. |
{{l|Plant Layer|Plant]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Vertices | A list of BLine Points |
Gradient | Gradient to be used for coloring the plant |
Split Angle | Angle by which each split deviates from its parent |
Gravity | Direction in which the shoots tend to face |
Tangential Velocity | Amount to which shoots tend to grow along the tangent to the BLine |
Perpendicular Velocity | Amount to which shoots tend to grow perpendicular to the tangent to the BLine |
Stem Size | Size of the stem |
SizeAsAlpha | If enabled, the alpha channel from the gradient is multiplied by the stem size, and an alpha of 1.0 is used when rendering |
Step | Measure of the distance between points when rendering |
Seed | Used to seed the pseudo-random number generator |
Splits | Maximum number of times that each sprout can sprout recursively |
Sprouts | Number of places that growth occurs on each bline section |
Random Factor | Used to scale down all random effects. Set to zero to disable randomness |
Drag | Drag slows the growth |
{{l|Super Sample Layer|Super Sample]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Width | Width of sample area (In pixels) |
Height | Height of sample area (In pixels) |
Use Parametric | Use the Parametric Renderer |
Be Alpha Safe |
{{l|Text Layer|Text]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Text | Text to Render |
Color | Color of the text |
Font Family | You could use values "Sans", "Times" or "Courier" for system fonts here. If you have ttf font file in the same dir as your sif/sifz file, then you may specify it's name (without extension). If ttf font file is located in another directory, then you may specify absolute or relative path to it. |
Style | |
Weight | |
Horizontal Spacing | Describes how close glyphs are horizontally |
Vertical Spacing | Describes how close lines of text are vertically |
Size | Size of the text |
Orientation | Text Orientation. Set to 0.0 for left aligned, 0.5 for centered and/or 1.0 for right aligned. |
Position | Text Position |
Kerning | Enables/Disables font kerning (If the font supports it) |
Sharpen Edges | Turn this off if you are going to be animating the text |
Invert |
Fonts that appear to work under Linux - Courier, Times, Serif, Verdana, Sans Serif.
Fonts that appear to work under Windows - Arial, Times New Roman/Serif, Verdana/Sans Serif. Courier produces an interesting, but non-legible effect.
Sans Serif appears to be the default if Synfig doesn't recognize the font.
{{l|TimeLoop Layer|Time Loop]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Link Time | Time where the loop starts. |
Local Time | Used to line up the Offset time of the time loop. |
Duration | Amount of time of the time loop. |
Only For Positive Duration | Disable the Time Loop layer if Duration is <= 0. |
Symmetrical | Provides compatibility for the previous Time Loop layer version. |
{{l|XOR Pattern Layer|XOR Pattern]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Offset | |
Size |
Stylize
{{l|Bevel Layer|Bevel]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Type | Type of blur to use |
Hi-Color | High color (where the light comes from) |
Lo-Color | Low color (where the light goes to) |
Light Angle | Angle of the light of the Bevel. |
Depth of Bevel | Bigger values produce bigger Bevel detph. |
Softness | Blur amount of the Bevel. |
Use Luma | |
Solid |
{{l|Shade Layer|Shade]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Color | Color of the shade |
Offset | Relative displacement of the shade respecto the shaded layer(s) |
Size | Size of blur of the shade |
Type | Type of blur to use |
Invert | When checked on inverts the alpha result of the shade. |
Transform
{{l|Rotate Layer|Rotate]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Origin | Point where you want the origin to be |
Amount | Amount of rotation in degrees. |
{{l|Translate Layer|Translate]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Origin | Point where you want the origin to be |
{{l|Zoom Layer|Zoom]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Amount | Amount to zoom in |
Center | Point to zoom in to |
Not Available
These layers are examples to aid developers in creating more layer types, but aren't included in binary releases of Synfig.
{{l|Shape Layer|Shape]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Color | Layer_Shape Color |
Offset | |
Invert | |
Antialiasing | |
Feather | |
Type of Feather | Type of feathering to use |
Winding Style | Winding style to use |
{{l|Metaballs Layer|Metaballs]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Color | |
Points | |
Radii | |
Weights | |
Threshold |
{{l|Simple Circle Layer|Simple Circle]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Color | |
Center | |
Radius | This is the radius of the circle |
{{l|Filled Rectangle Layer|Filled Rectangle]]
Parameters:
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
Color | |
Point 1 | |
Point 2 | |
Feather X | |
Feather Y | |
Bevel | |
Keep Bevel Circular |