User Guide

Layers 67
By default, when you move a selection, only the selection marquee moves, not the
images. To move selected images on a layer, you must “float” the selection. In effect,
this turns the selected area of the layer into a floating object. You can move floating
objects around a layer to create new compositions.
Each layer in a document can have only one floating object at a time. You can drop a
floating object to merge it with the layer. Many operations automatically drop (or
merge) the floating object back to its parent layer.
Floating objects are created by making a selection on a pixel-based layer. Shapes
cannot be floating objects because they are vector-based. However, you can turn a
shape into a pixel-based layer. For instructions, see “To convert a shape to a pixel-based
layer” on page 329
When you save a document to RIF format, Corel Painter preserves all floating objects.
However, saving a document in a non-RIF format automatically drops floating objects
onto their parent layers.
To create a floating object
1 Create a selection on a layer using a selection tool.
2 Do one of the following:
• Click the selection with the Layer Adjuster tool .
• Choose Select menu > Float.
The floating object appears as an item below the parent layer on the Layers palette.
To reposition or drop a floating object
1 On the Layers palette, select the floating object.
2 Perform an action from the following table.
To Do the following
Repositon a floating object In the document window, drag the floating
object to the new location with the Layer
Adjuster tool . Then, press the arrow keys
to move the floating object one pixel at a
time.
Drop a floating object Click the Layer Commands button , and
choose Drop.