DVE Layer Objects emulate the axis and surface structure of DVE clip layers from earlier versions of Smoke and Fire. When you add a DVE Layer Object, a single object node is added to the scene comprised of five axes, as well as front and matte sources, and image and shadow surfaces. You can work with the DVE Layer Object as a grouped object in Action. For greater flexibility, you can ungroup the DVE Layer Object to allow for separate manipulation of each axis and surface in the Action schematic.