Using the Layer palette

The Layer palette lets you specify several basic properties for the selected layer:

• Fill With specifies whether the layer is filled with a color, image, texture, or the current background.
• X Offset and Y Offset specify how far to move the layer from the object's center. You can use these values, for example, to create a drop shadow.
• Width specifies how much to widen or narrow a layer. You can use this option to widen the bottom layer, creating an outline, or stroke, around the object.
• Softness specifies how much Gaussian blur to add to the layer. You can use this feature to create shadows with soft edges, for example.

To specify a color fill for a layer:

1. Select the layer in the Object Layers palette.
2. Choose Window > Layer.
3. In the Layer palette, choose Color to fill the layer with the current color, opacity, and gradient specified in the Color, Opacity, and Gradient palettes.

To specify an image fill for a layer:

1. Select the layer in the Object Layers palette.
2. Choose Window > Layer.
3. In the Layer palette, choose Image to fill the selected layer with a specified image.

To specify a background fill for a layer:

1. Select the layer in the Object Layers palette.
2. Choose Window > Layer.
3. In the Layer palette, choose Background to fill the layer with whatever is beneath the object, whether it's another object or the background. For more information, see About foreground, background, and layer colors.

To specify a texture fill for a layer:

1. Select the layer in the Object Layers palette.
2. Choose Window > Layer.
3. In the Layer palette, choose Texture to fill the layer with the texture applied to it. If the layer doesn't have a texture applied, it remains filled with the current color, opacity, and gradient. For more information, see Applying textures to layers.

Fill options for the top layer A. Color B. Image C. Background and D. Texture

To specify the softness of a layer:

1. Select the layer in the Object Layers palette.
2. In the Layer palette, drag the Softness slider or enter a value between 0 and 10 in the text box to specify the amount of Gaussian blur. A higher value increases the amount by which the edge of the layer fades into transparency.

To offset a layer with the Layer palette:

1. Select the layer in the Object Layers palette.
2. In the Layer palette, offset the layer from the center of the object by a specific number of pixels:
• To move the object horizontally from the center, drag the X Offset slider or enter a value between -50 and 50 pixels in the text box. A negative value moves the layer to the left, a positive value moves it to the right.
• To move the object vertically from the center, drag the Y Offset slider or enter a value between -50 and 50 pixels in the text box. A negative value moves the layer up, a positive value moves it down.

To offset a layer by dragging:

1. Select the layer.
2. Do one of the following:
• Select the layer-offset tool  and drag.
• Press Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS), and drag over the center of the object.

To enlarge or shrink a layer:

1. Select the layer.
2. Choose Window > Layer to open the Layer palette if it is not open.
3. In the Layer palette, enter a value for Width between -10 and 10 pixels. A negative value narrows the layer, a positive value widens it.