Using layers

In complex diagrams, you can use layers to separate or group objects. You then use the layers to control the visibility of objects within the layer and the order in which these groups of objects appear when there is overlap.

You can also create dynamic layers (see Dynamic layers).

1. From the menu on the right side of the canvas, click the Layers button. The Layers panel opens.

   

2. To add a new layer, at the bottom of the Layers pane, click the Add Layers button. The new layer is inserted above the other ones.

3. To insert a new object to a layer, select the layers and then insert the object in your diagram. The new object is automatically inserted into the selected layer.

   When you click an object in your diagram, the layer it belongs to is highlighted in the Layers pane.

4. To move an object from one layer to another, right-click the object and choose Send To > name of the layer.

5. To rename a layer, double- click the layer name, type the new name and press Enter on your keyboard.

6. To change the order of a layer (its z-index), click the layer selector and drag it to the desired order. This controls which objects are in the front and which ones are in the back.

7. To hide a layer, select the layer and click the Visible button. The layer is no longer visible and the icon is grayed out. Click again to show the layer.

8. To add interactivity to an object in layer, click Link layer For more information, see Adding dynamic layers.

9. To lock a layer so that objects in the layer can't be selected or moved, click the lock button for that layer. The icon changes to to indicate that the layer is locked. Click again to unlock the layer. Locking layers is useful when you need to move one layer while leaving the other(s) in place.

10. To duplicate a layer, select the layer and, at the bottom of the Layers pane, click the Duplicate button.

11. To delete a layer, click the Delete icon.