Getting to Know Your Manga Studio Layer Types

Manga Studio provides a selection of layer types to use in your work. When you get to know and understand how layers work, you'll wonder how you ever did your work without them. Here's an introduction to what Manga Studio has in store for you in its layer lineup:

• Raster Layer: This is the basic drawing layer that you use for roughing and inking your work, as well as adding various effects, like speed lines. Most of the drawing tools can be used on this layer.

• Vector Layer: An option available to Manga Studio EX users, this layer is used primarily for inking. Unlike a raster layer, a vector layer can be printed at any size without any loss of image quality. Only the Pen and Marker — and (for EX users) Gradation tools — can be used on this layer.

• Reverse Layer: Placed on top of raster or vector layer, the reverse layer reverses the colors of the lower layer.

• Layer Folder and Text Folder: As you can probably guess, these aren't layers. These are folders that group and store your layers. It's a good way to keep your background drawings in one folder and your character drawings in another folder. Or with text folders, it helps to keep your dialogue layers in one place.

• Selection Layer: This can keep any circular, rectangular, or polygonal selections you may wish to reuse later in the finishing process.

• Ruler Layer: This can contain the drawing rulers and guides you create to assist in your technical or background drawings. You can place as many rulers and guides as you'd like on this layer.

• Panel Ruler Layer: This can be used to create the individual panels and gutters for your page.

• Guide Layer: This can be used as a repository for your vertical and horizontal drawing guide lines.

• Masking Layer: Much like selection layers, this keeps a collection of masks that you may wish to reuse later in the production of your comic page. Unlike the selection layer, the masking layer selects areas that you wish to cut off from the final work. You can use this layer only within a panel layer.

• Tone Layer: This choice is available only when you're going to adjust an existing layer. This changes the layer into one that lets you create and adjust a screentone.