.. _usinglayers:

Using Layers
=============

Layers form the building blocks for all elements of the room or scenery design. Several shapes are possible, and these are manipulated via the :ref:`Layer Manager<layermanager>` to effectively ‘draw’ the room in 3D.

**Types of Layers**
    There are three different types of Layers:

    * :ref:`Quad<quad>`: A square, rectangle or trapezium (or trapezoid, in the North American sense).
    * :ref:`Sector<sector>`: A circle, sector, arc, semicircle, annular ring, annular sector or cylinder.
    * :ref:`Free Plane<freeplane>`: A freely configurable shape, defined by a list of 'points' entered as X/Y/Z values.

**Manipulating Layers**
    Using the :ref:`Layer Manager<layermanager>`, a series of properties can be applied to a Layer to choose how it is displayed.
    These are called :ref:`'Layer Properties'<layerproperties>`.

    :ref:`Audience Listening Heights<ear>` should be defined for any Layers to be mapped upon.

    :ref:`Quads<quad>` can be used to create :ref:`Floor Plans<floorplans>`.

    Selected Layers (including the Layer being edited) are highlighted to quickly identify them in the :ref:`3D View<3dview>`. The 'Highlight Selection' option in the :ref:`Preferences<prefs>` chooses the style - a static blue overlay (the default), an animated 'Dynamic Colour' effect, or disabled.

**Drawing Workflow**
    From left to right, the first three buttons in the :ref:`Layer Manager Panel<layermanager>` are used to create new Layers.
    
    The first (square) button will :ref:`create a new Quad<quad>`. The second (round) button will :ref:`create a new Sector<sector>`. The third (polygon) button will :ref:`create a new Free Plane<freeplane>`. *Data can be entered in either Cartesian (depth and height) or Angular (angle and range) when creating Layers, meaning data can be entered easily from a laser rangefinder, or from traditional measurements. See* :ref:`'Cartesian vs Angular Data Input'<cartvspolar>` *for more information.*


    After a Layer has been drawn (except Free Planes), it is possible to re-use the last set of data to :ref:`Continue a Layer<continuelayer>` with the right-click menu, allowing for quick creation of continuous surfaces.
    

.. toctree::
   :maxdepth: 6

   using_layers/01_layer_types
   using_layers/02_layer_groups
   using_layers/03_layer_properties_list
   using_layers/04_ear_height
   using_layers/05_transformations
   using_layers/06_continuing_a_layer
   using_layers/07_duplicating_a_layer
   using_layers/08_mirroring_a_layer
   using_layers/09_cartesian_vs_angular_data_input
   using_layers/10_floor_plans
   using_layers/11_trimble_sketchup_plugin
   using_layers/12_exporting_layer_files