In Figures 6.9 and 6.10 the Layers have been shown as being separated in 3D Space. As stated

this is purely conceptual to demonstrate Layers in the Canvas. Layer 1 and Layer 2, although

being separate, occupy the same 3D Space. To see this in practice, with Strokes Drawn as

shown (Character on Layer 1 and Scenery on Layer 2) place the 2D Viewport Editor in Top

Orthographic View (press Num Pad 7) then press Num Pad 2 once to tilt the Scene.

Figure 6.11

Separation

Scenery Tilted

Character Tilted

Figure 6.12

X Axis

Y Axis

Vertical Z Axis

Figure 6.11 shows a Top (Plan) view of

the Scene slightly tilted. The Strokes

forming

the

scenery

are

shown

separated from front to back in the

Scene to.

Figure 6.12 shows a perspective view of

the Scene showing the Character and

the background Scenery rotated about

the Z Axis.

Showing this rotation demonstrates that

Strokes within a Layer can be positioned

(Rotated, Translated and Scaled) to suit

the Scene construction.

How to control and place Strokes will be

explained later.

6.2 The Canvas – Another Way

Another way to think of the Canvas is as a laminated surface with each lamination being

transparent. In the default 2D Viewport Editor the Canvas (white area) has two Layers (Layer 1

and Layer 2).

Think of the Canvas as a container with the Layers inside and keep in mind that, in an animation

Scene, you will probably have numerous Layers.

In the default Scene, in the 2D Viewport Editor, there is one Canvas and two Layers. You can see

these listed in Outliner Editor and in the Properties Editor (Figure 6.13 over).

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