Creating Sources and Layers

You can composite as many layers as you want using Reaction, but first you must create the layers. A layer in Reaction is composed of a source input that you assign to a geometrical support, or 3D geometry, and a material node that is automatically generated—see Working with Geometric Surfaces.

If you want to perform basic multilayer compositing, where you work with bilinear geometric surfaces only, you can quickly create a layer in a single step in the Layer Editor or Schematic by using the Reaction drop gate. To substitute a 3D geometric surface as your layer support, you can then simply choose a different geometric surface. After creating the sources and layers, you can publish a 2D composition if you are satisfied with the results.

To create one or more sources and layers in a single step:

1. In the Schematic view, select the Reaction node.
2. Select images or footage from the File Browser or desktop, and drop (or stick) them onto the Schematic, Layer Editor, or Player.

   The composition drop gate appears.

3. Swipe through Create Layer.

   The sources and layers are added in the order in which you selected the images/footage (from first to last) and labeled accordingly in the Layer Editor.

To add a layer:

1. Do one of the following:
   • At the bottom of the Layer Editor, select a surface geometry type and click Create.

     A layer with the surface you chose and a source are created.

   • In the Schematic view, right-click the Reaction node and select Add Layer.

     A layer and a source are created. By default, the Bilinear surface is assigned to the layer.

To add a source:

1. In the Schematic view, right-click the Reaction tool and select Add Source.
2. 
   A source input connector appears in the Schematic view. You can connect media or a tool node to it.

To add a layer and link to its source:

1. In the Layer Editor, right-click a layer and select Add Linked Layer.

   A layer is created and linked with its source.

To add one or more source compositions to Reaction in a single step:

1. Select the Reaction tool in the Schematic view or select the desired Reaction in the Layer Editor.
2. Select one or more compositions from the File Browser or Desktop and drop (or stick) them onto the Layer Editor, Schematic, or Player.

   The drop gate appears.

3. Swipe through Create Source.

   The sources are added in the order in which you selected the compositions (from first to last) and are labeled accordingly in the Layer Editor.

To create a layer using a source:

1. In the Layer Editor, right-click a source and select Create Layer Using Source.

   A layer is created in the Layer Editor.

   Note

   You can immediately change the surface geometry of the layer using options in the Type column of the Layer Editor.