Organize your objects with layers

Now that you imported two graphics into your document, you want to arrange them in layers so that you can more easily organize the banner's composition and manipulate its elements.

Specifically, you want to organize the elements on three layers--one layer for the background, a second layer for the logo, and a third layer for other graphics. To better identify the elements on each layer, you also want to give each layer a name that clearly indicates what's on the layer.

1. Make sure the banner_graphic.png file is open in Fireworks.
2. If the Layers panel is not already open, select Window > Layers.

   So far the banner graphic contains a single layer called Layer 1.

3. At the bottom of the panel, click the New/Duplicate Layer button twice to create two more layers.

   
   
   

4. Rename the layers by double-clicking each one and entering the following names in the Layer Name textbox that appears:

   TIP

   It's always a good idea to name your layers so that you can easily identify them later. When a document gets large and contains many layers and objects, it can be difficult to manage them if your layers and objects don't have unique names.

   • For Layer 3, Graphics
   • For Layer 2, Logo
   • For Layer 1, Background

   
   
   

5. Change the layer stacking order by clicking the Graphics layer and dragging it below the Logo layer.

   A dark line indicates where the object will be dropped if you release the mouse button at that time. To place an element on a layer, release the mouse button when the dark line appears at the bottom of the layer.

6. Drag the logo image (called "Group: 3 objects") from the Background layer to the Logo layer.

   The Layers panel should look as follows:

   
   
   

   ABOUT...

   More about layers Layers divide a Fireworks document into discrete planes. A document can consist of many layers, and each layer can contain many objects. In Fireworks, the Layers panel lists the layers in a document and the objects that each layer contains. The objects and layers in the Layers panel show the order of how these elements are stacked in the composition. Layers or objects higher in the panel will cover layers and objects that are below them in the panel. By rearranging the stacking order of layers or of objects within a layer you can create the effect of objects that mask, or block out, other objects.

7. Save your work.

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