5.5

107Motion User Guide
Reorganize layers and groups in Motion
The order in which layers and groups appear in the Layers list determines which layers
appear in front of other layers in the canvas. You can change the ordering of layers in the
Layers list or in the canvas. However, it’s easiest to select layers and change their stacking
order in the Layers list.
Additionally, you can change layer order using commands in the Object menu. These
commands can be used with layers, effects objects, groups, or groups nested in another
group. Reordering a group reorders all objects nested in that group.
Note: When using 3D groups, you can rearrange the depth order in 3D space to override
the layer order in the Layers list. For more information about depth and layer hierarchy in
3D groups, see Create 3D intersection in Motion.
Move a layer or group forward or backward in your composition
In Motion, do one of the following:
• Drag a layer or group up or down in the Layers list.
A position indicator shows the new position the selection occupies when you release
the mouse button.
• Select a layer or group in the Layers list (or select a layer in the canvas), click the
Object menu, then choose Bring to Front, Send to Back, Bring Forward, or Send
Backward.
Note: You cannot use the Object menu reorder commands to move image layers out of
the group they’re nested in.
The selected layer or group is reordered in the Layers list and canvas.
Note: Using the Bring and Send commands in the Object menu to move layers up and
down in the nested hierarchy in any group is especially useful when working with selected
objects in the canvas. See Object menu keyboard shortcuts in Motion.
Move multiple layers or groups forward or backward in the composition
In Motion, do one of the following
• In the Layers list, Shift-click to select multiple contiguous layers or groups or
Command-click to select multiple noncontiguous layers or groups, then drag the items
up or down in the Layers list.
A position indicator shows the new position the items occupy when you release the
mouse button.
• In the Layers list, Shift-click to select multiple contiguous layers or groups or
Command-click to select multiple noncontiguous layers or groups, click the Object
menu, then choose Bring to Front, Send to Back, Bring Forward, or Send Backward.
Note: When you apply the Bring Forward or Send Backward arrangement command
to noncontiguous selected layers, the layers move up or down the object hierarchy
together, and any space between the layers remains.