# Layer operations

There are a lot of maneuvers built around the layer system. This page will provide us with guidance on the operations we can perform on all layer types. For specific actions on each layer type, please see the sub-pages.

[Regular layer's operations >](/timeline-and-layers/layer-operations/regular-layers-operations.md)

[Reference layer's operations >](/timeline-and-layers/layer-operations/reference-layers-operations.md)

[Tilemap layer's operations >](/timeline-and-layers/layer-operations/tilemap-layers-operations.md)

[Group's operations >](/timeline-and-layers/layer-operations/groups-operations.md)

### Selection

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/iJAct0utOy8>" %}

Most operations will only affect the selected layers, so before going into the fun stuff, let's learn how to select the layers.&#x20;

There are 2 selection modes: individual and multi-selection.

The default mode is individual in which when we tap on a layer, it will select only that layer.

Multi-selection mode, as the name suggests, will allow us to select multiple layers at once.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/2gN0K8iPwHqzMylOGNYk" alt="" width="293"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To enable multi-selection mode, tap on the "Select" button on the top row, next to the lock button. In this mode, when we tap on a layer, it will toggle the selection status of only that layer, it won't un-select the other ones. There is also a check box on the left to toggle all layers at once.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/mVZFd8LEyXsRh5NFGZ9N" alt="" width="285"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To exit multi-selection mode, tap the "Done" button.

### Contextual menu

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/Tp9uw_C-WjI>" %}
Artwork by [Mossy](https://x.com/MossyPixe)
{% endembed %}

To bring out the [contextual menu](https://docs.pixquare.art/timeline-and-layers/pages/GEh0IaKc8PQMO1ETEVBS#id-10.-contextual-menu) for layers, you can:

* Tap on the selected layer one more time
* The contextual menu will auto-show if more than 1 layers are selected

### Re-arrangement

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/wS1a6m_GN5M>" %}

To rearrange layers, select them, then long press on one of the selected layers (or just the layer if we select only one) and drag to the desired position. An indicator will appear to let us know where the new location is.

If we select multiple non-consecutive layers, they will be placed right on top of each other at the new place with the relative order among them preserved.

### Removal

<figure><img src="/files/5gLJLz8tPgrE24kAzOBs" alt="" width="265"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To remove layers, select them, then tap on the remove layers button. A confirmation alert will show up, confirm it and they're gone.

### Visibility

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/wTr9EsYVfQM>" %}
Artwork by [UEVOXEL](https://twitter.com/UeVoxel)
{% endembed %}

Visibility determines whether or not a layer will be rendered on the canvas.

* To toggle the visibility of a layer, tap on the eye icon of that layer.
* To toggle the visibility of all selected layers, tap on the eye icon of one of the selected layers.
* To toggle the visibility of all layers, tap on the eye icon of the top row.

### Lock status

When a lock is locked, we cannot change the content of that layer anymore. This is to prevent accidental changes.

The way we toggle lock status is the same as [visibility](#visibility), except that we're using the lock icon instead of the eye icon.

{% hint style="info" %}
When a group is locked, all of its children will be locked as well, regardless of their individual status.
{% endhint %}

### Renaming/Opacity/Color/Blend mode

<figure><img src="/files/vouy3RkSI9W8e0xAqZgz" alt="" width="560"><figcaption><p>Artwork by <a href="https://x.com/MossyPixe">Mossy</a></p></figcaption></figure>

To perform any of these actions, [activate the contextual menu](#contextual-menu), then select Properties.

* To rename, tap on the edit icon next to the layer name
* All layers' opacity can be adjusted, including groups. Adjust the opacity using the slider.
* To better visually differentiate layers in the layer panel, we can set the color for individual layers.&#x20;
  * To remove that color, set it to transparent color.
  * The color only affects the layer row in the panel, it won't have any effect on the content.

### Copy/paste

<figure><img src="/files/fTDWNBv4Q6SojpsNhg31" alt="" width="375"><figcaption><p>Artwork by <a href="https://x.com/FicoPx">FICO</a></p></figcaption></figure>

We can copy/cut and paste one or more layers/groups in Pixquare.

To copy/cut layers, long-press and drag the layer name, 2 boxes will appear: one for copying and one for cutting.

Drop the dragged layers into the corresponding box to perform the operation.

{% hint style="info" %}
If we drag a selected layer, it will perform the operation for all selected layers, whereas if an unselected layer is dragged, it will operate on that layer only.
{% endhint %}


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