<a name="1023190"> </a>In Corel Painter, layers are objects that contain image data. Because each layer is a distinct object, you can move it around and edit it without interfering with the image data on the canvas or other layers. Likewise, you can work on the canvas without interfering with any of the other layers.
</p>
<p id="999010" class="Body">
<a name="999010"> </a>Layers can contain two types of images: pixel-based images and vector-based images. How you work with a layer depends on the type of data it contains-however, all layers in a document have the following characteristics in common:
</p>
<ul>
<li class="SmartList1"><a name="999011"> </a>They are listed on the Layers palette. The Layers palette manages the hierarchy of layers and includes controls for selecting, hiding, locking, deleting, naming, and grouping layers.</li>
<li class="SmartList1"><a name="999012"> </a>You can cut, copy, paste, move, and align them using the Layer Adjuster tool. </li>
<li class="SmartList1"><a name="999013"> </a>They interact with underlying images based on a specified composite method.</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="999014" class="Heading2">
<a name="999014"> </a>Pixel-based Layers
</h3>
<p id="999015" class="Body">
<a name="999015"> </a>You can create pixel-based images on a layer using any brush variant, with the following exceptions:
</p>
<ul>
<li class="SmartList1"><a name="999016"> </a>Water Color brushes</li>
<li class="SmartList1"><a name="999017"> </a>Brushes that use the Wet method</li>
</ul>
<p id="1015834" class="Body">
<a name="1015834"> </a>You can also create pixel-based images on a layer by pasting or placing an image.
</p>
<p id="999019" class="Body">
<a name="999019"> </a>Layers play a role in more specialized functions, such as building an image hose nozzle, embedding a URL in an image, or creating an animation.
</p>
<h3 id="999021" class="Heading2">
<a name="999021"> </a>Vector Shape Layers
</h3>
<p id="999023" class="Body">
<a name="999023"> </a>Shapes are vector-based objects. When you create a shape with one of the shape tools (Pen, Quick Curve, Rectangular Shape, Oval Shape, or Text), Corel Painter automatically adds a new layer to the document. Each new shape becomes a separate layer; you can group multiple shapes together or merge them into a single shape.
</p>
<p id="999027" class="Body">
<a name="999027"> </a>Shapes cannot contain pixel information. To perform pixel-based operations-such as painting in a shape with a brush or filling it with a gradation-you must convert the shape to a pixel-based layer.
</p>
<p id="999028" class="Body">
<a name="999028"> </a>This chapter covers only managing shapes on the Layers palette. <a href="19-Shapes2.html#1001605">"Using Shapes"</a> contains detailed information about creating and working with shapes.
</p>
<h3 id="1023842" class="Heading2">
<a name="1023842"> </a>Floating Object Layers
</h3>
<p id="1023846" class="Body">
<a name="1023846"> </a>Floating object layers contain imagery that can be moved around the layer. For more information, refer to <a href="14-Layers9.html#999504">"Working with Floating Objects"</a>.
</p>
<h3 id="1023856" class="Heading2">
<a name="1023856"> </a>Reference Layers
</h3>
<p id="1023860" class="Body">
<a name="1023860"> </a>Reference layers are low resolution representations of other layers. Using reference layers lets you more easily manipulate standard layers. For more information, refer to <a href="14-Layers9.html#999696">"Working with Reference Layers"</a>.
</p>
<h3 id="999030" class="Heading2">
<a name="999030"> </a>Dynamic Layers
</h3>
<p id="999032" class="Body">
<a name="999032"> </a>Dynamic layers are a class of layers that provide dynamic effects to the underlying image.
</p>
<p id="999033" class="Body">
<a name="999033"> </a>Some dynamic layers interact with the underlying imagery in a specific area to produce effects-such as the Glass Distortion and Equalize dynamic layers. Other dynamic layers interact with the underlying imagery as you apply brush strokes-such as the Liquid Metal dynamic layer.
</p>
<p id="1015846" class="Body">
<a name="1015846"> </a>Dynamic layers are different from other effects because they are distinct objects-you can access them on the Layers palette and update their controls to modify the effect at any time.
</p>
<p id="1002379" class="Body">
<a name="1002379"> </a>This chapter covers only managing dynamic layers on the Layers palette. <a href="16-Dynamic%20Plug-ins2.html#1002342">"Using Dynamic Plug-ins"</a> contains detailed information about creating and working with dynamic layers.
</p>
<h3 id="999037" class="Heading2">
<a name="999037"> </a>Water Color Layers
</h3>
<p id="1002365" class="Body">
<a name="1002365"> </a>The Water Color layer is a special layer reserved for Water Color brushes. It enables the paint applied with these brushes to mix and flow together. You can create multiple Water Color layers in a document. These layers are part of the layer hierarchy and appear on the Layers palette, where they are characterized by a blue ink droplet icon.
</p>
<p id="1006273" class="Body">
<a name="1006273"> </a>In earlier versions of the application, if you applied water color brush strokes, they were applied to the canvas layer and, as such, were uneditable. Now, when you apply a Water Color brush to the canvas or to an image layer, a new Water Color layer is automatically created. You can edit Water Color layers as you would any other layer, including erasing and blurring, without affecting other layers.
</p>
<p id="1015925" class="Body">
<a name="1015925"> </a>Refer to <a href="07-Water%20Color3.html#1006875">"The Water Color Layer"</a> for more information about working with Water Color layers.
</p>
<h3 id="1002397" class="Heading2">
<a name="1002397"> </a>Liquid Ink Layers
</h3>
<p id="1004064" class="Body">
<a name="1004064"> </a>The Liquid Ink layer is a special layer reserved for Liquid Ink brushes. You can create multiple Liquid Ink layers in a document. These layers are part of the layer hierarchy and appear on the Layers palette, where they are characterized by a black ink droplet icon.
</p>
<p id="1015959" class="Body">
<a name="1015959"> </a>When you apply one of the Liquid Ink brushes to the canvas or to an image layer, a new Liquid Ink layer is automatically created. You can edit Liquid Ink layers without affecting other layers.
</p>
<p id="1004028" class="Body">
<a name="1004028"> </a>Refer to <a href="08-Liquid%20Inkb3.html#1000545">"The Liquid Ink Layer"</a> for more information about working with Liquid Ink layers.
