Creating a Solid Layer

A solid layer is a layer whose Footage operator contains no referenced clip or image file—it is just a solid color. You can choose the color and format for the layer, and apply operators, such as Paint or a Box Blur, as you would to any other layer. Later, you can replace the solid layer with footage.

To create a solid layer:

1. Double-click a composite.
2. Choose Object | New Layer, or press Ctrl+Y (Windows) or Command+Y (Macintosh).

The New dialog appears.



3. Select Solid from the Type list.
4. In the Name field, enter a name for the layer.
5. Select a standard format from the Format Options list or select Custom to create a custom format.

For more information, see Choosing Format Options.

The corresponding properties (output size, frame aspect ratio, pixel aspect ratio, and frame rate) appear in the Format Options box.

6. In the Duration field, enter a duration in either frames or in SMPTE timecode.
7. To change the background color of the layer, click the Background Color box, select a color from the Pick Color dialog that appears, and then click OK.
8. Select a bit depth from the Depth list.
9. Enable Transparent to set the opacity of the solid image to 0%, then click OK. The image is 100% opaque by default.

The controls for solid footage closely resemble the controls for disk-based footage, with complete control over field dominance, frame rate, pixel aspect ratio, target resolution, and cropping. These controls work in the same manner as they do for disk-based footage.