The 2D Compositor tool lets you create multilayer compositions. It allows you to stack four layers over a background. Each layer becomes the foundation for the subsequent layer, starting with the background, and moving up the stack. You must use a Matte image with an alpha channel between layers to expose what lies beneath the top layer.

The 2D compositor is a “super tool” because it contains a separate 2D Compositor Layer tool inside the tool. A “super tool” is identified in the Tools tab by a spherical icon—see Tools, Views & Pick List tabs.

To composite two or more layers:

1. Drag the 2D Compositor tool to the dependency graph in the Schematic view and connect an image or tool output to the Layer 1 Back input tab. This is the background for the first layer.

   

   NoteIf you drop a 2D Compositor tool onto an existing connection between two nodes, the existing composition becomes the Layer 1 background input.
2. Connect a composition to the Layer 1 Front input. This is the image you want to have on top of the background.

   

3. Connect a composition to the Layer 1 Matte input. This image will determine what portions of the background are visible if the image does not have an embedded alpha channel.

   

4. Add more layers as desired. If a composition has an embedded alpha channel, the alpha channel will appear black. You can connect the same image to the associated Matte input to achieve the desired result.