Organizing Existing Layers

You can nest a layer, or multiple layers, into a new composite to organize them in the workspace. For example, nest several layers and then apply a Color Emboss effect to them all.

When you nest a layer, all the operators on the layer (such as Footage and Box Blur) will be moved into the nested layer. Whether or not the layer properties, such as rotation or depth order, move to the nested layer is determined by the option you choose when nesting. The options are Operators or Selected Layers.

To nest a layer:

1. Select the layer.

Note: To follow this procedure, you must first create (or open) a composite in combustion that contains at least one layer.



2. Choose Object | Nesting, or press Ctrl+E (Windows) or Command+E (Macintosh).

The Nesting dialog appears.

3. Enter a name in the Composite Name field.

The default name is Nested Layers.

4. Click Operators, and then click OK.



A new composite is created under the layer. The original operators are placed under a new layer in this composite. If you expand the original layer, you can see the new composite, the new layer, and the original operators.



The properties of the original layer, such as the motion path or opacity settings, are not copied to the new layer; they remain on the original.

To nest a layer with the layer properties:

1. Select the layer.

Note: To follow this procedure, you must first create (or open) a composite in combustion that contains at least one layer.

2. Choose Object | Nesting, or press Ctrl+E (Windows) or Command+E (Macintosh).

The Nesting dialog appears.

3. Enter a name in the Composite Name field.

The default name is Nested Layers.

4. Click Selected Layers, and then click OK.



The result is the same as in the previous procedure; however, the properties of the original layer move to the new nested layer. The properties for the original layer are reset to the default settings.

The Selected Layers option can also be used to nest multiple layers. In this case, a new layer is created, and the selected layers are moved into a composite that is nested on this layer. The effectively "flattens" the nested composite onto a single layer.

In this example, the Flower_Patch and Fruit_Sale layers are combined in a composite.

After these layers are nested, an Oil Paint operator is applied to the nested layer. This effectively oil paints the original two layers since they are contained on the layer.

To alter the nested layers, double-click the nested composite to make it the current operator. You can then modify the composite as you would normally.