User Guide

Using Layers and Layer Masks246
The left edge of the square is the left-most point of
all the layers (top). The layers are aligned
horizontally to the left so that all the layers line
up with the left-most point (bottom).
To align layers:
1 Select the layers (or groups) you
want to align.
2 Choose Effects menu > Objects
> Align.
3 In the Align Shapes dialog box,
enable any of the following
Horizontal options:
• Left aligns the left edges of the
layers’ content.
• Center aligns the midpoints of
the layers’ content horizontally.
• Right aligns the right edges of
the layers’ content.
• None preserves the existing
horizontal alignment.
4 Enable any of the following
Vertical options:
• Top aligns the top edges of the
layers’ content.
• Middle aligns the midpoints of
the layers’ content vertically.
• Bottom aligns the bottom edges
of the layers’ content.
• None preserves the existing
vertical alignment.
Working with Reference
Layers
Reference layers get their image
content from an external source—
either a pixel-based layer in the
current document or a separate file.
They provide a low resolution
representation of the original image
that you can quickly manipulate in
ways that would otherwise take
longer.
Working with a reference layer allows
you to transform (resize, rotate, slant)
a layer onscreen by dragging its
handles. You can adjust various
options. Transformations display in
the document window immediately.
When you’ve finished applying
transformations, commit the reference
layer back to a standard layer. Corel
Painter examines the source image to
restore the original resolution.
You cannot edit the image data in a
reference layer. If you try to paint on
or apply effects to a reference layer,
Corel Painter prompts you to commit
it back to a pixel-based layer.
You can create a reference layer based
on an existing layer or by placing an
image. Refer to “Placing Files” on
page 35 for more information about
placing images.
To create a reference layer:
1 Select a layer.
2 Choose Effects menu >
Orientation >Free Transform.
The layer’s icon on the Layers
palette changes and an eight-