RenderEdit

Layers tab

The Layers tab builds a scene from several images. Each image or drawing is a layer inside a composition. You can cut out an object, edit one layer with AI, draw vector lines, then save the result back to the canvas.

Make a composition

Open the Layers tab and use New composition (the composition switcher lists the ones you already have). Then click Add an image as a layer and pick an image from Images on this canvas. Add a blank layer to draw on adds an empty layer for drawing.

Isolate an object

Select the layer, then click Remove background in the toolbar to cut the subject out onto a transparent background. To pull one object out of a busy image instead, use Decompose into layers; you can point at the object with Target a point or Target a box and describe it in a prompt. Both use credits.

Edit one layer with AI

Select the layer and type what to change in the edit bar, for example: Change only the upholstery colour of this armchair to deep navy blue. Keep its shape, position and shading. Then click Edit layer. You can add reference images, textures, accent colours, or Target a point / Target a box to aim the change. Edit layer uses credits. If you are editing a mask, switch back to the layer's image first.

Save to the canvas

Click Save as node to put the composition back on the RenderEdit canvas. A composition made only of vector lines is saved as an SVG; anything else is flattened into a single PNG, with a transparent background if the composition background is transparent. At least one layer must be visible.

Working with layers

Rename

Double-click a layer's name in the layer list.

Duplicate layer

Makes a copy of the layer in the same position.

Hide / Lock

Hide layer turns a layer off without deleting it. A locked layer can't be edited, painted on, duplicated or deleted until you unlock it.

Delete

Removes the layer. Undo (Ctrl+Z) and Redo (Ctrl+Y) are in the toolbar.

Reset transform

Puts the selected layer's move, scale and rotation back to their starting values.

Add mask

Gives the layer a mask. Painting on the mask hides or reveals parts of the layer without changing its pixels: the Hide brush removes the painted area from view and the Reveal brush brings it back. Mask enabled switches it on or off; the mask can be inverted, copied and pasted. The Magic wand tool turns a selection into a mask.

Drawing tools (left toolbar)

Brush / Eraser

Raster tools. They paint or erase pixels, so the marks can't be edited as shapes later.

Vector Pencil

Draws smooth curves that stay editable.

Vector Pen

Click to place straight-edged points. Click the first point or press Enter to finish; press Esc to cancel.

Vector Eraser

Drag across a Pencil or Pen line to cut a gap. The pieces stay editable vectors.

Scissors

Click a Pencil or Pen line to split it in two. Both halves stay editable.

Select / move stroke

Select one piece of a line and drag it to move it.

Good to know: Scissors and Vector Eraser only cut lines drawn on a layer's content (not its mask), and they can't cut closed shapes or raster brush strokes.