The Layer Stack

The Layer Stack is a fundamental concept in Fater's Image Editor (and also relevant when preparing images for Asset or Video generation). It refers to how multiple image layers are arranged and combined to create your final visual composition on the main canvas.

Think of layers as transparent sheets stacked on top of each other. Content on higher layers in the stack will appear in front of content on lower layers.

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Visualizing the Layer Stack

• Layers Tab: The primary way you interact with the layer stack is through the Layers Tab in the Right Sidebar.

  • This tab lists all the layers currently in your active Layer Workspace.

  • The order of layers in this list directly represents their stacking order: layers at the top of the list are visually on top (in front) on the canvas. Layers at the bottom of the list are further back.

• Canvas View: On the main Inpaint Canvas, you see the combined result of all visible layers stacked according to their order in the Layers Tab.

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Key Properties & Interactions

1. Stacking Order:

   • You can reorder layers by dragging and dropping them within the Layers Tab list. Dragging a layer higher makes it appear on top; dragging it lower moves it behind other layers.

   • This allows for precise control over which elements are in the foreground or background.

2. Visibility:

   • Each layer has a visibility toggle (Eye icon) in the Layers Tab.

   • Hiding a layer removes it from view on the canvas but keeps its data and position in the stack. This is useful for experimenting or temporarily decluttering your view.

3. Opacity:

   • Layers can have their opacity adjusted (typically via a toggle or a "More Options" menu in the Layers Tab for each layer).

   • Lowering opacity makes a layer semi-transparent, allowing layers beneath it to show through. This is key for blending effects.

4. Merging Layers:

   • You can merge a layer down with the layer directly beneath it in the stack (action available in the Layers Tab).

   • This combines the visual content of the two layers into a single new layer. This is a destructive operation for those two layers but can simplify complex projects.

5. Layer Workspaces:

   • Remember that the Layer Stack you see and interact with is specific to the currently active Layer Workspace within the Layers Tab. Different workspaces maintain their own independent layer stacks.

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How the Layer Stack Affects AI

• Source for AI: When you perform an AI generation (like inpainting or using a Control Layer), the AI typically considers the currently visible composite image formed by the active layer stack as its input or context (within the Generation Area).

• Output as New Layers: Most AI generation results (e.g., from the Image Editor) are added as new layers at the top of the current stack. This non-destructive approach allows you to easily compare, adjust, or discard AI outputs.

• Control Layers: The position of a Control Layer in the stack usually doesn't matter as much as its content and visibility, as the AI model specifically looks for layers designated as "control."

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Understanding and effectively managing your Layer Stack is crucial for building complex compositions, iterating on designs, and integrating AI-generated elements seamlessly in Fater.