Layer Arrows

Arrows provide a way of compositing multiple layers together. For instance, you could take the output of a Video layer and pipe it into a Notch layer, to apply a Notch effect to the video content.

Multiple layers can be chained together, so for example, you could take the output of the Notch layer and pipe it into a SpinBitmap layer.

1. Position the cursor over the source layer, hold down Alt, press the mouse button and drag away from the source layer. You will see an arrow appear that is following the cursor.
2. Now move the mouse cursor to the destination layer and release the mouse button. This will create a new arrow between the source and destination layers.

Scrolling video content created by using an Arrow to pipe a Video layer into a Scroll layer.

To remove an arrow, hold down Alt and right-click the root of the arrow.

Arrow resolution

The resolution of the content transported by the Arrow is determined by the source layer’s mapping. It is recommended to create an empty (no screens) direct mapping at the resolution you want to use for Arrow content, and assign these mappings to the source layers.

If the source layer mapping is very high resolution, the performance of the destination layer may be affected, as it will need to process the high resolution content. This occurs even if the source layer content is low resolution, as the content is resampled to fit the mapping resolution before being sent via the Arrow.

Arrow-supported layers

All content layers can be used for piping in content into another layer. However, not all layers support being piped into. All effect layers and some generative layers support being piped into (depending on the specific generative content). Check the documentation for each layer type to see if it supports Arrow input.

Alternatives to Arrows

Arrows are very convenient for quickly implementing layer compositions, but for more complex designs, or where you need more control over the content being piped between layers, consider one of the following alternatives:

• Source from background. Every layer input that can take an arrow also has a from background option, shown as Source from background on layers with a single input and as Source 1 from background, Source 2 from background and so on where there are several. Enable it and the input reads the content already rendered to the layer’s screens, which is every layer below it on the timeline sharing the same mapping. This composites a whole stack of layers into one input without drawing any arrows, so it is the simplest option when you want a layer to treat everything beneath it.
• PreComps. A PreComp is a virtual screen that layers render to, which other layers then read as a texture. PreComps are especially useful when working across multiple transports, when you need to reuse the same composition in multiple places, or when you need to composite multiple pieces of content into a single input.