Ordering the Layers

At this point, it is possible that your character's pieces may show up in the wrong order.

There are several ways to fix this. First, you can reorder your layers by dragging them to a higher or lower level in the Timeline view. The top layer is displayed in front of the others and the bottom one is displayed behind. Second, you can use the Z-axis nudging (forward and backward) if you have extra views included in the same layers (front, three-quarter, back, etc.).

This topic is divided as follows:

Ordering the Timeline Layers
Ordering Layers in the Network View
Nudging Parts Backwards and Forwards

Ordering the Timeline Layers

In the Timeline view, the layer positioned at the top will be displayed in front and the ones below will be displayed behind. If you have multiple views, you should order your layers based on the most common view, which is generally the three-quarter front.

To order the layers:

In the Timeline view, drag a layer to reorder it and drop it between the other layers.

 

If you drop it on a layer, it will create a parent hierarchy, so make sure to drop it between layers.

Ordering Layers in the Network View

The Network view allows you to reorder your layers without breaking any hierarchy. For example, if you want the Head layer to appear behind all of the facial features, in the Timeline view, you cannot simply move the layer down because you will break the parenting between the head layers. In the Network view, since you have a set of flexible connections, you can change the Composite module ordering without breaking the parenting between the modules.

The Composite module ordering corresponds to your Timeline ordering unless the Network's organization is too complex for the Timeline's one. The element connected in the left-most port in the Composite module is displayed in front in the Camera view and the one connected in the right-most port is displayed behind.

To order your layers in the Network view:

In the Network view, select the module's output cable connected to the Composite module and drag it to its new position.

Nudging Parts Backwards and Forwards

If you created a hierarchy on your arms, legs or other body parts, it is possible that you will want a part, such as the hand, to appear in front of its parent. Yet, if you move the hand layer above the arm layer, you will break the hierarchy. To reorder a layer rigged in a hierarchy, nudge it backwards or forwards on the z-axis.

You will do the same for the layers that are not in the right order on the extra views. Do not place the drawing on another layer. You want to keep all your drawings of the body parts in the same layers like a box containing all of the hands or all of the shoes.

Harmony allows you to move your elements in three dimensions:

Up and Down (Y-axis)
Left and Right (X-axis)
Backwards and Forwards (Z-axis)

In the same way you create multiplane backgrounds (depth), you can do a micro nudge of the part to be reordered and see it in front of the other elements, even if its layer is actually behind the other ones in the Timeline view. The Forward-Backward position can also be animated over time.

Repeat the following instructions for all the views.

To nudge your parts backward and forward:

1. In the Tools toolbar, select the Transform tool. Make sure to enable the Animate  mode.
2. In the Camera view, select the element that you want to reorder. Make sure that the focus (red outline) is around the Camera view before selecting the element.
3. To move the element forward, press [Alt] + [Down Arrow] and to move the element backward, press [Alt] + [Up Arrow].

Related Topics 

Adding the Master Peg
Creating a Hierarchy