Create Layers

How to create different types of layers like 2D Layer , 3D Layer , Particles , Particles etc.

A Smode Compo is a stack of layers.

A layer can be a 2D Generator , a 3D Generator , a 2D Modifier , a 3D Modifier , a Layer mask , a 3D Mask , a 3D Renderer , a 2D Renderer etc.

Right-click menu in a Compo

You can create new layers by right-clicking in a Compo in the Element Tree :

Or in the top-left menu button ELEMENT:

2D modifiers are directly accessible while right-clicking on a Compo because a Compo is itself a 2D Layer:

3D modifiers are accessible only when clicking on a 3D Layer:

And here are all Layers:

Some modifiers are accessible only when right clicking on specific elements, such as the Field menu when you click on a Particles system. Or some renderers when clicking on a Group 2D Renderer or on a 3D Generator :

Create with the instantiator

It is possible to create a layer by typing a part of its internal name in the element creation box (instantiator). You can also search for presets.

Press [CTRL] + [Spacebar] with the Element Tree selected to directly access the instantiator

Once the element you want to instantiate appears, just select it with the arrow keys and press [Enter] to create it on the same level as the selected element (or as a children):

Drag and drop a file in the Element Tree

In order to import an external file like an Image Layer or a 3D File for instance, simply drag and drop your file into the Element Tree :

You can also import other files like a 2D Modifier such as ISF Modifier or Color Lookup Table :

Create a layer by duplication

Layers can be created by selecting an existing layer and duplicating it by using one of these methods:

• Select an existing layer and press Ctrl+D

• Select an existing layer and drop it somewhere else while pressing the Ctrl key

Note that if you renamed the layer, both methods will auto-increment the names:

Read the Element Tree page of the documentation for more information.