Layers

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

Layer Panel Overview

The Layer Panel displays all layers in your document and provides controls for managing them.

To open the Layer Panel:

• Go to View → Show Layers
• Or use the keyboard shortcut

Panel Elements

Each layer in the panel shows:

• Layer name: Click to rename
• Visibility icon (eye): Toggle layer visibility
• Lock icon: Toggle layer editing
• Selection indicator: Highlights the active layer

Creating Layers

New Layer

1. Click the + button at the bottom of the Layer Panel
2. Enter a name for the new layer
3. The layer is created above the current layer

Duplicate Layer

Right-click a layer and select Duplicate Layer to create a copy with all its contents.

Layer Visibility

Toggle the eye icon to show or hide a layer:

• Visible (eye open): Layer contents are displayed
• Hidden (eye closed): Layer contents are not displayed

Hidden layers are useful for:

• Reducing visual clutter while working
• Creating alternative versions of a diagram
• Hiding reference or draft content

Layer Locking

Toggle the lock icon to lock or unlock a layer:

• Unlocked: Elements on the layer can be selected and edited
• Locked: Elements cannot be selected or modified

Locked layers are useful for:

• Protecting background images or templates
• Preventing accidental changes to finished work
• Creating stable reference layers

Reordering Layers

Layers are stacked from bottom to top. Elements on higher layers appear in front of elements on lower layers.

To reorder:

1. Click and drag a layer in the Layer Panel
2. Drop it at the desired position

Or use:

• Arrange → Layer → Bring Forward
• Arrange → Layer → Send Backward

Active Layer

The active layer is highlighted in the Layer Panel. New elements are always created on the active layer.

To change the active layer:

• Click on a layer in the Layer Panel
• Or select an element (its layer becomes active)

Moving Elements Between Layers

Using the Inspector

1. Select the element(s)
2. In the Inspector, find the Layer dropdown
3. Choose the target layer

Using Context Menu

1. Right-click the selected element(s)
2. Choose Move to Layer → Layer Name

Using Drag and Drop

1. Select element(s) on the canvas
2. Drag them onto a layer name in the Layer Panel

Layer Context Menu

Right-click a layer in the Layer Panel for these options:

Best Practices

1. Name layers descriptively: Use names like "Background", "Main Flow", "Annotations"
2. Use layers for logical groups: Separate different aspects of your diagram
3. Lock finished work: Protect completed elements from accidental changes
4. Hide reference layers: Keep reference material available but not visible
5. Limit layer count: Too many layers can become confusing

Common Layer Setups

Technical Diagram

• Background: Grid, guides, canvas color
• Infrastructure: Base shapes, containers
• Components: Main diagram elements
• Connections: Connectors and lines
• Labels: Text annotations

Presentation

• Background: Decorative elements
• Content: Main visual content
• Overlay: Highlights, callouts
• Notes: Presenter notes (hidden during export)