Working with Layers
Layers are the compositing structure within a WATCHOUT timeline. Every cue lives on a layer. The arrangement of layers sets the visual draw order: which content appears in front of other content on screen.
What Layers Are
A layer is a horizontal track in the Timeline window that holds cues. Each timeline keeps its own set of layers. Each layer has a name, a fixed position in the timeline, and optional Keying Layer settings.
Layers serve two purposes:
- Compositing order — when cues use the default By Layer stacking mode, the layer's position sets which content renders in front. The topmost layer renders in front of all other layers. Layer 1 sits at the bottom of the timeline and renders behind the layers above it. See Stacking Order for the full compositing model.
- Organization — layers group related cues so you name and manage them as units. A typical show uses separate layers for backgrounds, video playback, titles, and effects.
Layer Properties
Double-click a layer header in the Timeline window to open the Properties window. A layer has two editable properties:
- Layer Name — a descriptive label shown in the Timeline window. When empty, the layer shows a default name based on its position.
- Keying Layer — key-and-fill compositing for the layer, with an enable toggle, a key mode, and channel selection. See Keying Layer (Key and Fill) below.
A layer's position in the timeline is fixed by where it is created. Change it by adding, inserting, or deleting layers, not by editing a property.
Default Layer Setup
WATCHOUT creates a set number of layers depending on context:
- New timelines start with 10 layers.
- New compositions start with a minimum of 3 layers, or more if the composition's content needs them.
Add or remove layers at any time after creation.
Starting with a generous number of layers is intentional. It is faster to rename and use existing layers than to repeatedly add new ones during programming. Delete unused layers at the end of the production process for a cleaner file.
Adding and Removing Layers
Right-click a layer header or a cue in the Timeline window to open the context menu, then choose one of the layer commands.
Adding Layers
- Add Layers... — adds one or more new layers on top of all other layers. A dialog prompts for the number to add.
- Insert Layers... — adds one or more new layers directly above the selected layer, pushing the selected layer and those below it down. A dialog prompts for the number to add.
Removing Layers
Delete Layer removes the selected layer and all cues on it. Every cue on the deleted layer is removed from the timeline.
Confirm a layer is empty or that its cues are expendable before deleting. WATCHOUT requires at least one layer per timeline. You cannot delete the last remaining layer.
Naming Layers
When a layer has no name, WATCHOUT shows a default name based on its position: "Layer 1", "Layer 2", and so on. These names update when the layer order changes.
Descriptive names help operators find the right layer during live programming and reduce the risk of placing cues on the wrong layer.
To rename a layer:
- Click the layer header in the Timeline window to make it the active layer.
- Double-click the layer header to open the Properties window.
- Edit the Layer Name field.
Common naming conventions include functional labels (BG, Video, Titles, FX, Overlays) or scene-based labels (Scene1_BG, Scene1_FX). Choose a convention and apply it consistently across all timelines.
Keying Layer (Key and Fill)
Each layer has an optional Keying Layer setting that controls how the layer's content is used in compositing. This is relevant for broadcast-style workflows where a separate key (matte) signal controls the transparency of a fill (content) signal.
Keying Layer Settings
| Setting | Options | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Enabled | On / Off | Off |
| Mode | Luma Key, Luma Key (Inverted), Alpha Key, Alpha Key (Inverted) | Luma Key |
| Channels | Channels 1–4 (shown when enabled) | Channel 1 |
Key Modes
| Mode | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Luma Key | Bright areas of the key layer are opaque. Dark areas are transparent. |
| Luma Key (Inverted) | Dark areas of the key layer are opaque. Bright areas are transparent. |
| Alpha Key | The alpha channel of the key layer controls transparency directly. |
| Alpha Key (Inverted) | The inverted alpha channel of the key layer controls transparency. |
Use a Keying Layer when integrating WATCHOUT with broadcast graphics systems, or when building compositing setups where one layer's luminance or alpha drives the visibility of another layer's content.
Layer Rendering Order
The vertical position of layers sets the compositing order for cues using the default By Layer stacking mode:
- The topmost layer in the timeline renders in front of all other layers.
- Each layer below it renders behind the layer above and in front of the layer below.
- Layer 1 sits at the bottom of the timeline and renders behind all other layers.
What you see at the top of the timeline appears at the front of the screen.
When a cue's stacking mode is By Z instead of By Layer, the layer position is ignored for that cue. Its Z-axis position sets the depth order. See Stacking Order for how these modes interact.
The layer order applies within a single timeline. When multiple timelines overlap on the same display area, the inter-timeline stacking order takes precedence. See Stacking Order for the full compositing hierarchy.
Related
- Understanding the Timeline — the timeline and its layers
- Stacking Order — By Layer and By Z compositing
- Adding Media Cues — placing cues on a layer