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A project represents a single flow of image data built from the bottom up. In a composite
with a single group, the layers in that group are stacked above one another. Filters and
behaviors applied to a layer appear beneath the layer in the Layers list. The group
represents the image that results from its combined layers and their applied behaviors,
filters, and composite modes (blend modes). For more information on building projects,
see Creating and Managing Projects. For more information on basic compositing, see
Basic Compositing.
In a simple example, a group contains a single image with applied color correction and
blur filters (in that order). The image provides the input data to the color correction filter.
The output data of the color correction is the input data for the blur filter. The group
represents the result of that image data flow. Groups and layers are also stacked one
above the other in a project—the output of the lower layer is the input to the layer above
it in the list.
When working in 3D mode, a layer that is below another layer in the Layers list can appear
above that layer in the Canvas if its Z (depth) position is closer to the camera. You can
force the layers to respect their order in the Layers list by selecting the Layer Order
checkbox in the Group pane of the Inspector.
21Chapter 1 About Motion and Motion Graphics