Shape layers and shapes

Shapes appear in the Canvas Layer Editor window in shape layers. A shape layer (indicated by in the Canvas Layer Editor window) is similar to an image layer (indicated by in the Canvas Layer Editor window). An image layer contains paint and a shape layer contains shapes. You cannot use a brush to apply paint to a shape layer. If you try to paint on a shape layer, the cursor will change to a .

The first time you create a shape on a canvas plane, Alias automatically creates a shape layer and places the shape on that layer. Similarly, if the active layer is an image layer, when you create a shape Alias automatically creates a shape layer and places the shape on that layer. However, if the active layer is a shape layer, then Alias places the new shape in that layer.

A shape layer contains an expandable list of all shapes in that layer. To expand a list click the .

You can perform the following operations on shapes:

• Create curves for shapes
• Edit a shape
• Delete a shape
• Convert shapes to paint

  You can also perform most image layer operations on shape layers and on individual shapes, including:

• Name an image layer

  You can also name a shape in the Paint Panel when the shape is selected.

• Select an image layer

  When you select a shape layer, it is highlighted in purple.

  When you select an individual shape, it is highlighted in yellow (without affecting the active layer selection).

• Duplicate an image layer

  If you duplicate a shape layer, the layer is duplicated and converted into an image layer.

  You cannot duplicate an individual shape.

• Arrange image layers
• Hide or show an image layer
• Change the opacity of an image layer
• Merge image layers
• Export an image layer

  You can export a shape layer as an image file. The size of the image file will be just large enough to contain the shapes in that layer; it may not be the size of the canvas plane.

  You cannot export an individual shape.

• Delete an image layer
• You can automatically create a shape or shape mask as you create a curve using the Global Auto-Shape options in the Paint Panel.

  To automatically create a shape as you create a curve, set Type to Image(fill) or Image(outline) for a shape, and Mask or Invisibility mask for a shape mask, in the Global Auto-Shape section.

  See Protect areas using masks for more information on masks and invisibility masks.