Layers are used to group a mapstard project logically, e.g. display content on different video outputs, different parts of the stage or architectural projection mapping. Mapstard application menu functions are always applied to the active Layer. To activate a layer just click anywhere in the Layer. 
On Output , Layers are rendered top to bottom.

A Layer contains:

• Media: Video-, Image- and Audio files as well as Video Input and custom Text - up to 256 items per Layer.

• Maps: Media Display Surfaces where media is playback on - Up to 1024 Maps per Layer.

• FX: FreeFrame OpenGL effects - FFGL - one effect per Map.

• Selection: Saved Map Selections to quickly change Media displayed on Map - Up to 128 Map Selections per Layer.

• Presets: Map positions, DMX channel values, Video and Audio playback. Useful for real-time show control. - Up to 256 Presets per Layer.

• Color & Alpha: Map color and transparency, soft edge settings.

• LFO: Low Frequency Oscillators applicable to Map rotation, position, scale and color - one LFO per Map.

• DMX: One DMX universe per Layer with up to 512 channels to control stage lighting.

 

Layer Menu	Layer Menu functions operate on active Layer
Add	Adds Layer to Project, Layers are rendered top to bottom.
Copy	Copies the active Layer.
Presets	Preset = selected Maps, Media & Audio playback status and selected DMX Channel Values.
Add	Adds a Preset to Layer.
Update	Updates selected Preset in active Layer.
Save to File	Saves the Presets from the active Layer to a Preset File (*.mapstard_Presets)
Load from File	Appends the Presets from the specified Preset File (*.mapstard_Presets) to the active Layer. Note:  The Preset references the Media Position in Layer and the DMX by Channel. Loading Presets from File preserves Mapping and DMX, the Media not necessarily, if the Layer contains different Media.
Lock on Timeline	Keep Preset Animation on Timeline after playback
Remove	Removes selected Preset in active Layer.
Reset	Removes all Presets from active Layer.
Toggle Texture/Output Map Handling	Switch to Output Map handling mode, if you want to adjust Maps in Layer Preview window. Maps are adjusted (scaled, positioned, rotated) in Output Window by default.
Zoom Out	In Output Map handling mode, zoom out to grab map points outside the Output Window
Zoom 100%	In Output Map handling mode, zooms 100%
Mixer	Shows the Layer Mixing Tool, Video-Mix two arbitrary Maps.  Select Maps you want to mix, then open the Mixer.
Move Up	Moves Layer up in hierarchy (Layers are rendered top to bottom).
Move Down	Moves Layer down in hierarchy (Layers are rendered top to bottom).
Scroll Up	Scroll Layer User Interface up if you have more Layers than visible.
Scroll Down	Scroll Layer User Interface down if you have more Layers than visible.
Remove	Removes active Layer.