Working with Layers
Layers are the organizational and compositing structure within a WATCHOUT timeline. Every cue lives on a layer. The arrangement of layers sets the visual draw order: which elements appear in front of others on screen.
What Layers Are
A layer is a horizontal track in the Timeline window that holds cues. Each timeline keeps its own collection of layers, each with a unique ID. Each layer carries its own properties: name, order, enabled state, expanded state, lock state, and optional key-and-fill settings.
Layers serve two distinct purposes:
- Compositing order — when cues use the default By Layer stacking mode, the layer's position determines which content renders in front. Layer 1 (topmost in the UI) renders in front of all other layers; higher-numbered layers render progressively further behind. See Stacking Order for the full compositing model.
- Organization — layers group related cues so you name, collapse, lock, and manage them as units. A typical show uses separate layers for backgrounds, video playback, titles, and effects.
Layer Properties
Every layer exposes the following properties:
| Setting | Purpose | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Name | A descriptive label displayed in the Timeline window. When not set, the layer displays its automatic name based on its position (e.g., "Layer 1", "Layer 2"). | Auto-generated from position |
| Order | The layer's vertical position in the timeline. Lower order values appear higher in the UI and render in front. | Assigned on creation |
| Enabled | Controls whether the layer's cues are rendered in the output. Disabling a layer hides all of its content without deleting anything. | Enabled |
| Expanded | Controls whether the layer's cue details are expanded or collapsed in the Timeline window. | Collapsed |
| Locked | Prevents editing of cues on this layer. Locked layers cannot have cues added, moved, or modified. | Unlocked |
| Key and Fill | Enables key-and-fill compositing for the layer, with mode and channel settings. | Disabled |
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
Adding Layers
There are two methods for adding layers:
- Append Layer — adds a new layer at the bottom of the timeline, after the highest existing layer.
- Insert Layer — adds a new layer directly below the selected layer, pushing subsequent layers down.
Removing Layers
Deleting a layer removes it and all cues on that layer. Every cue on the deleted layer is removed from the timeline.
Verify that 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.
To add or remove layers:
- Select the target layer in the Timeline window (or any cue on it).
- Use the timeline menu or right-click context menu to choose Append Layer, Insert Layer, or Delete Layer.
- If deleting, confirm the operation when prompted — all cues on the layer will be removed.
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 if layers are reordered.
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 Name field in the layer properties.
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.
Layer Visibility and Locking
Three properties control how a layer behaves during editing and playback:
| Property | Effect When Active |
|---|---|
| Enabled | When disabled, all cues on the layer are hidden from the rendered output. The cues remain on the timeline and can be re-enabled at any time. Use this to temporarily suppress content without deleting it. |
| Expanded | When expanded, the layer shows additional detail for its cues in the Timeline window (e.g., waveforms, thumbnails). Collapsing layers saves vertical space when you have many layers. |
| Locked | When locked, the layer's cues cannot be selected, moved, resized, or edited. This protects finalized content from accidental changes during live programming or collaborative editing. |
Lock layers progressively as sections of the show are finalized. This prevents accidental edits to approved content while you continue working on other layers. Unlock temporarily if adjustments are needed.
Key and Fill
Each layer has an optional Key and Fill system 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.
Key and Fill Settings
| Setting | Options | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Enabled | On / Off | Off |
| Mode | Luma, Luma Inverted, Alpha, Alpha Inverted | Luma |
| Channels | Channel selection | Channel 1 |
Key and Fill Modes
| Mode | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Luma | Bright areas of the key layer are opaque; dark areas are transparent. |
| Luma Inverted | Dark areas of the key layer are opaque; bright areas are transparent. |
| Alpha | The alpha channel of the key layer controls transparency directly. |
| Alpha Inverted | The inverted alpha channel of the key layer controls transparency. |
Key and fill is typically used when integrating WATCHOUT with broadcast graphics systems or when building advanced 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:
- Layer 1 (topmost in the UI) renders in front of all other layers.
- Layer 2 renders behind Layer 1 but in front of Layer 3.
- Higher-numbered layers render progressively further behind.
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 (controlled by timeline panel position and the Always on Top setting) takes precedence. See Stacking Order for the full compositing hierarchy.
Layer Operations Reference
| Operation | Description |
|---|---|
| Append Layer | Adds a new layer at the bottom of the timeline (highest order + 1). |
| Insert Layer | Inserts a new layer directly below the selected layer. |
| Delete Layer | Removes the selected layer and all cues on it. Minimum one layer must remain. |
| Set Layer Name | Assigns or changes the layer's display name. |
| Set Key and Fill Enabled | Toggles key-and-fill compositing for the layer. |
| Set Key and Fill Mode | Changes the key-and-fill mode (Luma, Luma Inverted, Alpha, Alpha Inverted). |
| Set Key and Fill Channels | Configures which output channels the key-and-fill setting applies to. |
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