Working with Layers

Layers are additional graphic objects placed over the main image. There are bitmap, text and metafile layers.

The example below illustrates 3 different layers placed over the "background" image:

Selecting layers:

To arrange layers use the "Move Tool":

To move a layer

Click a layer to select it. To move click and drag the layer. To move the layer precisely by 1 pixel select it with the Move Tool and use arrow keys (up, down, left and right)

Press SHIFT when moving the layer to lock to vertical or horizontal axis. To delete a layer select it with the Move Tool and choose "Image" > "Delete Layer".

To resize a layer

choose "Image" > "Layer Size" command. Text layers will be converted to bitmaps if resized.

Drag one of layer handles to resize the layer.

To import a layer

Import the image to existing document by choosing "File" > "Import Image" command To paste a layer. Select a document and paste the bitmap from the clipboard with Edit > Paste

To create a text layer

Choose the "Text tool" form the toolbox, position the cursor over the image and click. Enter the text in the edit dialog:

Use of Anti-Aliased option is illustrated below:

Anti-Aliased Text	Anti-Aliasing Off

To edit the text later

Select the text layer using "Move Tool" and choose "Image" > "Edit Text" command. Text layer is converted to bitmap layer if resized, rotated or the image is flattened.

To add a metafile layer

A metafile is a vector graphics object that can be imported to and resterized in Selteco Photo Lab from external application. To import a metafile create or open the graphics in external editor, copy to the clipboard, switch to Selteco Photo Lab and paste the graphics to your document.

To merge layers (Flattening an image)

To merge all layers with the background choose "Image" > "Flatten Image" command.

To edit a layer with a pen tool:

You can use drawing tools only on bitmap layers. To draw on text or metafile layers you have to convert them to bitmaps by choosing "Image" > "Convert to Bitmap" command.

To rotate or flip a layer

Select the layer with the Move Tool and choose Edit > Rotate command.