Layers

Layers help you organize complex diagrams by separating elements into distinct levels. You can show, hide, lock, and reorder layers — and the items inside them — to manage your work effectively.

Opening the Layers List

Layers live in the Inspector: open the Document tab and find the Layers section at the top. It lists, from top to bottom:

  • Artboards — the page's artboards
  • Guides — the number of guides on the page
  • Layers — every layer, each expandable to show the items it contains

Working with Layers

Each layer row shows:

  • Active layer marker — new shapes are added to the active layer
  • Eye icon — show or hide the layer
  • Lock icon — lock the layer so its items can't be selected or moved

Adding and Deleting Layers

  • Click + (Add Layer) to create a new layer
  • Click − (Delete Active Layer) to delete the active layer. You'll be asked to confirm, because the layer's items are deleted with it

Layer Context Menu

Right-click a layer for:

CommandAction
Set as ActiveMake it the layer that receives new shapes
Rename...Give the layer a descriptive name
Lock / UnlockToggle locking
DeleteRemove the layer and its items

Reordering Layers

Drag a layer up or down in the list to change the order in which layers are drawn. Layers further down the list are drawn in front of the layers above them.

Working with Items

Expand a layer to see every item it contains. Each item row has its own eye and lock icons, so you can hide or lock a single shape without affecting the rest of the layer.

Right-click an item for:

CommandAction
Rename...Give the item a name that's easy to find
Show / HideToggle visibility
Lock / UnlockToggle locking
SelectSelect the item on the canvas
Show on canvasScroll the canvas to the item
DeleteRemove the item

Drag items up or down within a layer to change their stacking order. The list follows drawing order: the last item in a layer is drawn in front, and newly added shapes appear at the bottom of the list.

Best Practices

  1. Name layers descriptively: "Background", "Main Flow", "Annotations"
  2. Lock finished layers to avoid moving them by accident
  3. Hide layers to focus on one part of a complex diagram
  4. Name key items so they're easy to find in long lists

Suggested Layer Structure

  • Background: Frames, zones, and decorative elements
  • Content: Shapes and connectors
  • Annotations: Notes, callouts, and labels