Layer Editor

Compose multiple images into a single layered composition

The Layer Editor is a powerful compositing tool that lets you combine multiple images into a single layered composition. It provides a canvas-based editing environment similar to professional design tools, enabling precise control over positioning, sizing, and layering of visual elements.

Overview

The Layer Editor transforms a node into a full-featured composition workspace where you can:

• Combine multiple images from different sources into one composition

• Precisely position and transform each layer independently

• Control layer ordering to create depth and visual hierarchy

• Export the final composition as a single unified image

This is ideal for creating collages, mood boards, social media graphics, or any project that requires combining multiple visual elements.

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Getting Started

Adding a Layer Editor Node

1

Add the Node

From the node menu, select Layer Editor to add it to your canvas.

2

Connect Source Images

Connect image nodes, video frames, or other visual sources to the Layer Editor. Each connected source becomes a layer in your composition.

3

Enter Edit Mode

Double-click the Layer Editor node, or click Layer Editor in the node toolbar to activate the editing interface. The canvas becomes interactive, displaying all your layers and editing controls.

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Working with Layers

The Layers Panel

The Layers Panel on the side of the editor displays all layers in your composition. Layers are listed from top to bottom, with the topmost layer in the list appearing in front of other layers on the canvas.

Layer controls include:

• Visibility toggle - Show or hide individual layers

• Lock toggle - Prevent accidental edits to a layer

• Layer name - Click to rename for better organization

• Reorder - Drag layers up or down to change their stacking order

Selecting Layers

• Single click on a layer in the canvas or panel to select it

• Ctrl/Cmd + Click to toggle selection and select multiple layers

• Click empty canvas space to deselect all layers

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Transforming Layers

Moving Layers

• Drag any selected layer to reposition it on the canvas

• Arrow keys nudge the layer by 1 pixel

• Shift + Arrow keys nudge by 10 pixels for faster movement

Resizing Layers

Click a layer to reveal the transform handles:

• Corner handles - Resize while maintaining aspect ratio

• Edge handles - Resize in one direction only

• Double-click a layer to automatically fit it to the canvas frame

Hold Shift while resizing to toggle aspect ratio lock on or off.

Rotating Layers

Hover near a corner handle to see the rotation cursor. Click and drag to rotate the layer freely.

Flipping Layers

Use the transform actions panel to:

• Flip Horizontal - Mirror the layer left-to-right

• Flip Vertical - Mirror the layer top-to-bottom

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Layer Alignment

The alignment toolbar provides quick alignment options for selected layers:

Button	Action
Align Left	Align layer to the left edge of the canvas
Align Right	Align layer to the right edge of the canvas
Center H	Center layer horizontally on the canvas
Align Top	Align layer to the top edge of the canvas
Align Bottom	Align layer to the bottom edge of the canvas
Center V	Center layer vertically on the canvas
Center All	Center layer both horizontally and vertically

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Layer Ordering

Control which layers appear in front of others:

Using the Context Menu

Right-click a layer to access ordering options:

• Send to Top - Move layer to the front of all others

• Send to Bottom - Move layer behind all others

• Send Up - Move layer one position forward

• Send Down - Move layer one position backward

Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Send Up	Cmd/Ctrl + ]
Send Down	Cmd/Ctrl + [

Drag Reordering

In the Layers Panel, drag layers up or down to change their stacking order visually.

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Appearance Controls

Opacity

Adjust layer transparency using the opacity slider in the Appearance Panel:

• 100% - Fully opaque (default)

• 0% - Fully transparent

Changes preview in real-time as you adjust the slider.

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Canvas Settings

Frame Size

The Layer Editor uses a compositor frame that defines the output dimensions:

• Default size: 2048 × 2048 pixels

• Maximum size: 4096 × 4096 pixels

• Minimum size: 100 × 100 pixels

Snap to Grid

Enable snap-to-grid for precise alignment. When enabled, layers snap to nearby edges and center points as you move them.

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Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Delete selected layer	Delete or Backspace
Undo	Cmd/Ctrl + Z
Redo	Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Z
Nudge 1px	Arrow keys
Nudge 10px	Shift + Arrow keys
Send layer up	Cmd/Ctrl + ]
Send layer down	Cmd/Ctrl + [

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Generating Output

When you're satisfied with your composition:

1. All visible layers are automatically composited together

2. The Layer Editor generates a preview image

3. Connect the Layer Editor output to other nodes for further processing

The compositor combines only visible layers. Toggle layer visibility to exclude layers from the final output without deleting them.

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Tips for Better Compositions

• Lock finished layers to prevent accidentally moving them while working on others

• Name your layers descriptively to stay organized in complex compositions

• Use alignment tools for professional, balanced layouts

• Work with the snap-to-grid feature enabled for precise positioning

• Undo liberally - the Layer Editor maintains a history of up to 50 changes

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Common Use Cases

• Social media graphics - Combine multiple product photos into polished layouts

• Mood boards - Arrange multiple reference images in one composition

• Collages - Create artistic arrangements of generated images

• Presentations - Layer diagrams and screenshots together

• Before/after comparisons - Position related images side by side